Core Fusion Extreme is a solid class that is definitely both a strength training and cardio workout. We appreciated the add-in of abs for ten minutes at the end of class but otherwise felt like this was a pure HIIT class that falls a little outside of Exhale’s barre and yoga-focused brand.  We recommend it to the barre-goer who is looking to mix things up and get more of a cardio burn, but for those who are used to intense, Tone House style HIIT workouts, this may not be extreme enough for them. Despite the switch-up from Exhale’s traditional classes, Erin instructs the class very professionally. We got a good workout in and we’ll likely attend Erin’s class at the Exhale Meatpacking location again.

RUNDOWN

WORKOUT

The Exhale Core Fusion Extreme class requires a fair amount of setup and an innovative use of space. The instructor had created five different stations before the class arrived: TRX straps, kettlebells, heavy weights (10-12 pounds barbells), plyometrics (with boxes) and gliders. As class participants, the only things we needed were water, a towel, and sneakers – though we also needed to closely follow the 5+ minutes of direction that began the class.

Erin led class off with an energizing warmup that started with leg lifts and quickly progressed to higher energy jumping jacks, planks, and mountain climbers, and then paused to let us catch our breath and to explain each of the different HIIT stations. There were about 10 of us in class, a low number for the usually over-enrolled Exhale classes, and the extra space and attention was really nice on this bleary post-Daylight Savings Time Sunday morning. Erin explained that we’d go through each station twice, with two sets of exercises that we’d perform for two sprints each rotation.

The exercises in each station were definitely designed to be approachable, but the very short rest time (45 seconds on, 15 seconds off) and fast transitions kept our heart rate up. At the TRX station, the exercises were a combination of lat rows, skull crushers and pushups, and we then rotated into one-legged kettlebell lunges and dips. Weighted lunges, snatches, box jumps, and glider core twists and mountain climbers rounded out the group of exercises across stations, which certainly worked different muscle groups. In our second rotation, Erin pulled us over to the barre between each station change for a quick round of exercises. These were targeted thigh and glute exercises that included wall sits, chair, and foldover positions.

The class finished with some core work on individual yoga mats: a little less than ten minutes spent in various side crunches, planks, and v-sits. We ended class with a final core hold v-sit and then Erin encouraged the group to stick around for some yoga-inspired stretching – and who can ever resist a good cat-cow stretch after all those core moves? Core Fusion Extreme HIIT is a good sweat and a lot of steps to follow – we recommend this class to someone who can focus and sweat hard, but who wants a lot of directions to guide them along their workout session. As mentioned upfront, Exhale is generally known for its barre & yoga expertise, and this HIIT class is outside of that zone. We got a good workout in but weren’t entirely sure how much Core Fusion work we were getting from the class.

INSTRUCTOR

Erin Gamble is a very experienced Exhale instructor – we’ve also taken her barre and barre/cardio classes at this location in the past. She was open and friendly, asking often if we had any questions and shouting out encouragement throughout the class. We were most impressed by how many specific moves she remembered and explained as a part of the HIIT Extreme curriculum. She demonstrated each kettlebell swing and glider lunge efficiently, and offered adjustment recommendations for those who might be injured or less flexible. She tailored her volume and her approach to class effectively for the smaller room. Overall, Erin was professional and enthusiastic and we’d love to take a class with her again.

SPACE

Located in the Meatpacking district, this Exhale studio is somewhat strangely located in the basement of the Gansevoort Hotel. To get to class, you have to walk through the hotel’s swanky lobby and take the elevator down two floors, where you will be greeted by friendly staff and the nice touch of water with oranges and lemons floating in it. Once you make it past the front desk, there is a fairly large retail section, which prominently features Core Fusion DVDs, yoga mats, and Alo apparel. The women’s locker rooms were recently redone and have great lighting, a spacious locker area, and two showers. Like other Exhale locations, there are lots of orange-scented toiletries, nice towels, free razors, and sandals for borrowing to shower. To actually get into the class space, which is fairly open and newly-renovated to include mirrors on the two back walls, you must walk through the Gansevoort Hotel’s small cardio gym. But once you’ve passed all these hazards, you’ve made it to class, where any number of mats, weights, towels and props await you.