Iron Mat

Push your Pilates mat practice to the max with innovative exercises and the addition of weights to give your body iron-strength. 

Why Try Iron Mat? 

Get ripped in this class that fuses strength training and core abdominal work with Pilates. Iron Mat combines the worlds of Pilates and strength training. Pilates plus dumbbells equals an iron-clad core.   

What Is Iron Mat like? 

Iron Mat is a fusion class that combines the worlds of strength training and traditional Pilates. Iron Mat begins with a warm-up, followed by standing, kneeling and seated exercises that incorporate weight work. The class concludes with a more traditional mat work series with weights and a final stretch. It is a non-intimidating, easy to follow workout that provides the benefits of Pilates with simple sculpting/strength training exercises to unleash your inner Iron Man for a unique total body workout. 

Who is Iron Mat Best For? 

All levels welcome. Those who enjoy Pilates embrace the addition of dumbbells incorporating more strength training, and weight trainers benefit from focusing on the control of Pilates training. Iron Mat is a Crunch exclusive fusion class that will invigorate you, whether you’re new to fitness or an experienced Pilates or weight training devotee.  

Is Iron Mat a good Workout? 

Iron Mat strengthens muscles, improves balance, increases flexibility, and tones and shapes the entire body, including the core. 

• Strength Gains. Iron Mat engages the entire body using exercises that engage both upper and lower body muscles. The addition of dumbbells to the workout increases the strength training element. Exercises can also draw on the strength of one or more areas, focusing on working both the upper and lower body at the same time with the use of the dumbbells. 

• Flexibility. Flexibility is often a neglected component of fitness. Through the correct execution of Pilates exercises, flexibility gains will be realized. Flexibility is the joint’s ability to move through a full range of motion. The benefits of flexibility include improved posture, decreased risk of injury, increased physical performance and reduced muscle soreness. 

• Balance. Balance is essential in our everyday activities. Often a neglected component of fitness, balance is challenged through various sequences in Iron Mat. Balance training brings improvements in coordination and posture. The addition of dumbbells in Iron Mat often increases the overall balance challenge of specific sequences. 

• Core Strength. Core conditioning exercises are done throughout the workout. Increased core strength helps to provide a firm base of support for virtually all movement. Strength and coordination of the core muscles is important when working out and in the activities of daily life.  

• Creates Body Awareness. The combination of Pilates and strength training helps build body awareness with heightened dialogue or messaging between the aspects of the mind and body. 

• Benefits Bone Density. Weight bearing exercises help to build and retain bone density. 

How Difficult is Iron Mat? 

4/10. Iron Mat introduces a new challenge of adding dumbbells to Pilates. Options are taught during class so that beginner level as well as experienced fitness levels are challenged. The exercises are non-intimidating and easy to follow for everyone.  

How Long Is Each Class? 

Iron Mat is a 30-minute class. Iron Mat begins with a warm-up, followed by standing, kneeling and seated exercises that incorporate weight work. The class concludes with a more traditional mat work series with weights and a final stretch. 

What Should I Wear? 

Wear Appropriate Clothing. Typically, people wear fitted clothing that will stay put, even in Downward-Facing Dog postures. Wear what you feel comfortable in! 

Leave Your Shoes Off. Not only does it help with your stability, but your overall balance and foot strength will improve as a result of working without shoes or socks on. 

What Do I Need to Bring? 

Plan to bring your own yoga mat. A yoga mat is a thin, sticky mat that will allow you to protect your joints without slipping around when you’re in an awkward position. You’ll be getting pretty up-close and personal to the floor, so having your own yoga mat will keep you feeling so fresh and so clean!  Your water bottle is your BFF, bring plenty of hydration to replenish your body while you glisten and glow in sweat.  

What Types of Mind/Body Classes Are Available?  

Fat-Burning Pilates.

Fat-Burning Pilates is a innovative class experience that blends techniques of ballet, rhythmic movement and traditional Pilates. Energizing and empowering, this barefoot class is designed to burn calories, and shape and tone the entire body. 

Float-Flow in Motion.

Get strong from the inside out with this mind body based class that features the Slastix by Stroops to maximize your workout potential. The Slastix will challenge stability and balance as well as strength and endurance forcing the core muscles to work the entire time. This fusion class has elements of Standing Pilates, Fitness and Pilates Mat with a fun beat that will get you sweaty and always coming back for more! 

Hatha Flow.

Yoga that integrates posture, breathing exercises, relaxation and meditation to harmonize you on every level: body, mind and spirit. A delicious, mindful and moving class. All levels welcome.

Unbreakable.

Become unbreakable by utilizing the power of yoga, deep stretching techniques and myofascial release. Breathe, flow and find your way to an “unbreakable body” in this class that focuses on the power of restoration. This 60-minute class will start with traditional Vinyasa flow followed by specific releases using straps, lacrosse balls and blocks. Designed to relieve your body, calm your mind and light your soul, this class is the perfect addition to preserve and protect your most valuable asset. 

Ultimate R&R.

We all need more self-care, more recovery, more rest to continue to be our best. Ultimate R&R provides the break your mind and body need. Take the foot off the accelerator and pump the brakes, focusing on a slower, gentler yoga flow followed by longer-held restorative poses supported by blocks, for the ultimate in rest and recovery.

Mana Flow.

Supercharge your spirit in this ultimate mind/body experience.  Mana Flow is an out-of-this world 30-minute yoga practice that focuses on the supernatural force found in everyone! Dedicated mandala flow segments alternated with superpower Mana segments utilizing Knux will leave you long, lean and lit!

True North Mandala Flow.

Travel your mat and find your true north in this centering, creative 60-minute vinyasa flow. At each directional point, explore strength, balance, core, and breath for a fully rounded discovery of the self and a sense of balance for both mind and body. 

Loaded Yoga.

Take your yoga practice to the next level in this unique class that combines flexibility and strength. This unique class links the mind and body in a totally different way delivering a challenge to remember. Start by introducing a sequence of poses “UNLOADED” with no weights and then take it to the next level as you “LOAD” the same sequence for a challenge that demands control from both the mind and body. 

Hot Yoga: FOUNDATION.

Discover your body from the inside out in this welcoming, accessible yoga fundamentals practice. Not flexible? Perfect! That just means you’ll experience the benefits that much more quickly! Learn how to explore your edge using your breath to increase strength, balance, focus, and recovery. Held in a gently heated room, this class focuses on powerful standing and balancing postures, then grounded, seated, and reclining postures that challenge you from head to toe and leave you feeling relaxed and empowered. 

Hot Yoga: FLOW.

Designed to keep you moving through thoughtfully sequenced patterns, this heated Vinyasa flow class will take your yoga experience to the next level. Taught in blocks, Flow alternates a slow sequence of yoga postures with the same pattern at an increased pace to provide a unique mind-body experience. Beautiful movements along with music that enhances the class experience will leave your mind in flight as your body flows through this unique yoga practice.  

Hot Yoga: FIERCE.

Take your yoga practice to the next level in this unique class that combines athletic movement, power yoga and balance challenges. This unique class links the mind and body in a totally different way, delivering a challenge to remember. Start seated on the mat and then transition to a vigorous standing flow. Special “fire it up” challenges inserted throughout the workout are designed to challenge both your mind and body. This one-of-a-kind yoga class will leave you with a fierce attitude and a fit body. 

ReFORM Pilates.

ReFORM your body from the inside out with this innovative mind/body-based class featuring the Slastix by Stroops. Pull, push, press, hold and release your way through a fun fusion of Pilates mat, Reformer, and fitness-based exercises that power up your powerhouse, leaving your entire body incredibly strong and lean! 

Yoga Body Sculpt.

A strength-building Vinyasa flow class that focuses on sculpting your buns and thighs while flattening your belly and strengthening your core. 

Find an Iron Mat Class at a Crunch Near You

Try something new, powerful and fun. Click here to find an Iron Mat class at a Crunch near you and fall in love with all the fun fusion classes! 

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Iron Mat and other fiercely fun athletic classes are exclusively available at Crunch, make sure you sign up in the app to take a class today!  Not a member yet?  Click here to get your free trial gym pass and give Chisel or any of our other classes a try to see if you and Crunch are made for each other!

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