Hotworx Gyms

disneysamurai

Has anyone ever tried Hotworx before? It’s a gym chain that’s unique in that they provide virtual workouts you can do inside infrared saunas, such as yoga, Pilates, iso, hiit, cycling and rowing. I just started doing it and I really enjoy it and I heard a lot of people have benefited from it especially people with disabilities.

cuddlefaery

I kinda enjoyed hot yoga years ago, but now my heat intolerance is too much. I can't handle a hot shower, let alone a sauna 😅

For the people who benefit from heat therapy, I'm sure it's a lovely experience! I miss being able to bask and melt.

BR123

As a gym head, I’ve never heard of them until now. Would be a great option to really lean and dry out.

Sheena123

I think I would pass out working out in serious heat. I use La fitness back in Canada, but here in Florida, I use EOS. It’s awesome. 24 hours, massage and cryo chairs, pool, sauna, hot tub, a damn theatre where they play awesome movies throughout the day and it’s filled with treadmills, stair masters and ellipticals. $29 a month

BluboySnugs

I’ve worked as a maintenance contractor for a few Hotworx. Never tried the workouts myself but spent plenty of time working in the saunas lol.
It’s mostly focused on cardio or yoga sessions. Some seem to enjoy it, but as one could imagine it can be challenging . If a challenge is what you’re looking for not a bad deal .

Worth noting also that , At least at the ones I visited the videos for different class (equipment) types never changed, each sauna was on a constant loop. So if on a pre paid subscription and looking for coaching and development your experience could become a bit stale.

If you’re curious I say go give it a try! I’m sure they would offer a one time class so you can see what it’s like

Hollydollhugs

I have a friend that has been doing it for a few years. She literally looks 10 years younger now. She’s addicted to it. 🙂

disneysamurai

@BluboySnugs yep your first workout is free. Basic membership is $60/mo and you can go as often as you want. They also have a weight room if you want to incorporate that into your workout as well. I’ll admit it’s not the best for someone who needs more guidance or wants to have workouts more tailored to their specific needs. I’ve personally done the personal training route so I have a pretty good idea what I need to do in a day’s workout. Even the hot stretch workout can burn a ton of calories. The hot cycling and hot rowing sound extremely insane - like you have to be in peak shape to get through those.

disneysamurai

Yesterday was my first time doing the rowing workout and the spinning workout. They weren’t as bad as I thought, although they were still tough. Those sessions were only 15 minutes each. I can’t imagine doing a full 45 minutes, although I’m sure you could since the sessions are back to back. Some people do what’s called the HIIT trio, where you do the rowing, elliptical, and bike either back to back or 15 minutes in between. At least you’re jumping to different saunas for that so you’ll get a little bit of a cool break. I can’t imagine staying in the same 125 degrees doing these intense exercises (especially the bike) for a full 45 minutes. That’s Dragonball Z-level intensity.

coolrunnings12

I do sauna at the ymca, lots of evidence it helps increase longevity. Be careful with too much at once! 20 minutes of just sauna my heart rate can go up to 140 and higher. It mimics high intensity cardio on its own, stacking it with a workout I’d proceed with caution

Katelyn_B

Sounds like it would feel good, especially for those with old injuries or tender joints, and I bet it would be good for making weight for certain sports. Doesn't sound like all of that infrared light would be good for the skin though, perhaps, on a regular basis. But like OP wrote, I agree that certain people could get a nice benefit from it.

disneysamurai

@coolrunnings12 agreed. I think it’s best to take breaks in between any of the HIIT workouts. Even the yoga and stretch workouts they have are intense. You feel really good from it after for sure! It will also lower blood pressure.

@Katelyn_B i guess if you overdo it, yes, but infrared sauna use is supposed to be really good for skin health.

Katelyn_B

@disneysamurai: You could very well be right about that, if not overdone. I don’t really know though years ago I had a friend who spent a lot of time under infrared lights and it didn't work out well for her.

But then, she was doing the opposite of moderation. 😁

disneysamurai

The workouts are AMAZING. I’m trying to go every day or at least five days a week. Usually now I do 15 minutes on the bike with the push handles and 15 minutes of a spinning cycle workout back to back after doing a 30 minute weight workout every other day, but I try to add in a conditioning workout on between days. Hot ISO I think is the hardest. Imagine holding a squat or chair pose for 1-2 minutes in a 125 degree sauna.

disneysamurai

Down 8 pounds!

disneysamurai

Cuddling definitely does wonders after Hotworx workouts!

Here’s my current schedule

Sunday - Hot Stretch (40 min), Hot Cycle (15 min), Hot Thunder (15 min)
Mon/Wed/Fri - Hot bands (40 min)
Tuesday - Hot Core (40 min) Hot Cycle (15 min) Hot Blast (15 min)
Thursday - Hot Stretch (40 min) Hot Blast (15 min) Hot Thunder (15 min)