Hi, Her Campus readers! I am a former gymnast, and I currently do crossfit. Follow me around the city this year as I try out various exercise classes that are both cheap and commutable. Check out my articles to read my two cents about new classes, including prices, commute time, and class difficulty. Welcome to my column!
EVF Performance: EVF 360
Commute: 25 minutes by subway (1 train to Columbus Circle, 5 min. walk) and 15 minutes by Uber
Intensity: High
Price: $35 per class
Levels: Beginner to Advance
Take this class: to build lean muscle while maintaining cardio endurance
Levels: Beginner & Advanced athletes
After competing in gymnastics for ten years, I switched to crossfit in hopes of finding a way to fill the enormous void gymnastics had left. If you’ve ever watched gymnastics, you will know when I say gymnasts have a distinct body type. What I found with crossfit was a similar body type; crossfitters are easily recognizable by their wide shoulders and muscular backs alone. I did crossfit back in my hometown for about a year before college. When I came to the city this past fall, I started my search for a new crossfit gym. What I found: EVF Performance.
Most crossfit gyms require any new members to do some sort of introduction; they may push their bodies to be not only stronger, but also safer for the type of high intensity lifting that crossfit requires. At EVF, the class is called EVF 360. Essentially, 360 is practically a HITT class, but with more emphasis on the weights. 360 is an hour long and consists of a quick warm up- burpees, jumping jacks, push-ups- as well as two workouts that last about 35-40 minutes. The two workouts mimic those you’d find if you were in a crossfit class- EMOMs, AMRAPs, Tabatas, Chipper, etc. The only difference is that 360 does not utilize any barbells. Instead, 360 workouts are centered around movements with dumbbells, kettlebells, medicine balls, boxes, and pull-up bars. Don’t let mention of weights scare you away from trying this class, though. EVF 360 IS an introduction class and can be adapted for anyone of any level of cardio health and strength. Coaches also show multiple modifications for people who don’t feel as comfortable with weights. Most importantly, coaches at EVF constantly remind you of correct body positions to avoid injury and to optimize performance with weights that push you out of your comfort zone. And while it is a group setting, coaches leave it to you to choose weights you feel will work with your individual body. Thus, 360 is a great introduction to weight lifting, which can be especially daunting for people who have never done it in their lives.
What I’ve found to be special about EVF is the atmosphere; the music is booming, yet coaches are yelling words of encouragement louder than the music. Once you finish, you are expected to cheer for others and push them to finish hard. I’m not going to lie; this one hour class is extremely intense. You WILL walk out of 360 dripping from head to toe feeling like you just finished the hardest workout of your life. As you could’ve guessed given my gymnastics background, I am a glutton for punishment, so this is the perfect class for me. Regardless of your relationship to exercise, EVF 360 will give you the support and encouragement to leave it all in the gym (and for some, that means the trash can).
The only caveat that I’d highlight for EVF 360 is the price. If you just want to take one class, it’s $35, which isn’t the worst, but it’s not the cheapest. I try to take 360 about 3-5 times per week. So, with the amount of time I’m going per week, I’m using up my paycheck pretty quickly on these classes alone; a 5 class pack costs $165. Thus, is it affordable for the average Columbia student? No. However, if you do find the resources (financially) to head down to EVF Performance, I would highly recommend you do so. Even if you just try this class once, it’s a great stress reliever mid-week. EVF also has a variety of classes throughout the day that ensure you’ll find a time that works with your schedule.
To check out EVF, download the app MindBody to find EVF Performance’s schedule and pricing. EVF also has an Upper East Side location, which is slightly more inconvenient to commute, so be sure to click on CC (Columbus Circle) EVF 360.