Two new technology-based fitness concepts from overseas have landed in the Tampa Bay Area, providing new workout options for people who are seeking results in a shorter amount of time.
Which one is right for you? Read on to judge for yourself.
Body20
When Tampa native Lindsey Zielinski saw the concept for Body20 at a fitness expo, she was instantly intrigued.
“I knew that was something that needed to be in Tampa because it was something that was effective and efficient, and something that actually works,” she says of Body20, which was created by a fitness professional in South Africa.
The former attorney and high school teacher made her vision a reality earlier this month when she opened the first Body20 location on Florida’s west coast. Currently in a soft opening, the grand opening will be held May 22 at their studio at 3202 Henderson Blvd. in South Tampa.
The workout you get at Body20 is based on the same science that a TENS unit uses to rehab injured muscles. During 20-minute sessions, clients will put on a full wireless bodysuit embedded with a series of electrodes that provide electro muscle stimulation to all the major muscle groups in the body. As clients are led through their workout with a trainer, they’ll get 150 times more muscle contractions than they would during a regular workout, thanks to the wearable technology. Plus, their trainer gives them specific guidance that ensures their form is correct, taking the potential for error out of the equation.
“You definitely get a lot of bang for your buck,” says Zielinski, who estimates a 20-minute session at Body20 is comparable to getting a four-hour workout somewhere else.
“Some people love to spend hours at the gym,” she says. “But it’s not for everyone. My big push is that you can do this type of workout and save time that you can use to spend with your loved ones and doing what you love.”
The May 22 Grand Opening will be held from 3:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to tour the facility and receive free arm demos and refreshments. There will also be drawings for prizes and discounts on memberships. To learn more about Body20 and membership packages, visit their website by clicking here.
F45
Never heard of F45? Well, you’re about to. This Australian-based workout is preparing to make a big splash in the Tampa Bay Area. Seven locations are planned, with the first in St. Pete located at 1575 4th St. North. Additional spots in Westchase, the Pearl near Armature Works, Sparkman Wharf, Carrollwood, Westshore, and the midtown area will be opening in the next few months, says operations manager Fabián Lebrija.
“It’s a unique product,” says Lebrija. “We’re not a big box gym where you do the same workout every day.”
The concept behind F45 is that clients receive a high intensity, functional workout in 45 minutes -- hence, the F behind F45. They’ve developed more than 30 different workout experiences -- everything from boxing to resistance training to workouts that are cardio-focused. With their database of more than 3,000 exercises, there’s little chance of ending up with the same workout twice.
“It keeps things energetic,” Lebrija says. “You never know what we might offer.”
In addition to the variety, F45 incorporates technology into fitness. There are monitors all around where members can view different exercises and mimic what they see, and trainers circulate the room to make sure they’re doing the exercise correctly. There are also screens that members can check to monitor their output throughout the class.
Classes are offered at a variety of times throughout the day, and members can check to see what the daily workout will be from their app up to two weeks in advance. Seven-day free trial memberships are offered to everyone, and they can be purchased on a weekly, monthly, biannual or annual basis.
For more information, visit their website by clicking here.
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