Punch Line

Combining boxing with pilates, piloxing raises fitness levels to new heights

Heidi Lowenstein is no shrinking violet. Fit and energetic, she likes to mix things up when it comes to her exercise routine. As a member of the Jewish Community Center on 5655 Thompson Road in DeWitt, she is often willing to try anything new that combines raising her cardiovascular rates with low-impact stress on her joints. Five weeks ago, she attempted the JCC’s latest offering—piloxing—for the first time. She was not disappointed. 

“I’ve taken Zumba {the wildly popular, fast-paced hybrid of Latin dance and aerobics} and I do a lot of different stuff on my own,” Lowenstein, of East Syracuse, says. “I have to mix things up or I get bored. But this has been great for me.”

Piloxing, as the name implies, takes the high-energy, cardio-raising elements of kickboxing and combines them with the precise, core-strengthening, low-impact movements of pilates. Joe Yeager, director of sports and fitness and a personal trainer at the JCC, predicts that piloxing will follow Zumba as the next hybrid fitness craze in the United States. The class originated in Los Angeles—created by celebrity trainer Viveca Jensen—and is already wildly popular in larger cities such as New York City and Chicago.

“We are one of the only facilities in the area to offer piloxing, but I think it is going to be big,” he says. “The feedback has been very positive so far.”

Instructor Christine Roet, who also teaches the class at the Eastside Racquet Club in Manlius, agrees. “It’s so much fun, and that’s what appeals to people,” she says, adding that she was immediately attracted to the multifaceted aspect of piloxing. It offers a challenging workout that is adaptable to just about every fitness level. Roet was certified last summer.

Fun, sure. But make no mistake: Piloxing is designed to get results. The first half of the 60-minute class is meant to raise the heart rate. There are no breaks, but after the heart rate peaks, Roet gradually takes the pace down. Participants finish with careful stretching, and three poses that embody the piloxing core principals: sleek, sexy, powerful. The class is structured in blocks that focus on core muscle groups. 

“The whole class is based on the principals of pilates. Each move is precise,” Roet says. “The energy of dance is a big part of it, too, which is very different from pilates. But it’s not so difficult that it would exclude anyone. I am the least dancy person, and I was totally comfortable with the moves.”

Dance mixes of popular songs propel the moves, and some participants elect to use half-pound weighted gloves to enhance arm toning. As with other hybrid classes, Roet says piloxing probably will not appeal to purists. “If you’re looking for a straight pilates class, this isn’t for you.”

Lowenstein says she already notices a difference in her fitness level. “I can tell that it has improved,” she says. “My goal was to complete the class without needing to stop, and I did.”

Linda Doran, who has been a fitness instructor with the JCC for the past five years, signed up for Roet’s piloxing class out of curiosity. She is so impressed that she is considering getting certified herself. 

“As an instructor, I like that it incorporates a lot of different elements,” Doran says. “I also like that it helps people improve their balance, which is important to everyone—especially as they get older. This is a new thing, but there is an old-fashioned element to it. . .  emphasis on things like calisthenics.”

Doran adds that she would recommend piloxing to participants in her classes because it is so adaptable, and because it offers a very balanced workout in a relatively short amount of time. Toning each specific muscle group in a block format offers even dedicated athletes a formidable challenge. “The more you challenge your body in different ways, the more fit you will be,” she says.

Roet, an Ottawa native who now lives in Manlius, is also a massage therapist at the JCC, and teaches a boot camp class at the Eastside Racquet Club. Her teaching style is upbeat and encouraging, without the order-barking typically associated with boot camp training. Perhaps that’s why all seven participants in a recent piloxing class at the JCC had smiles on their faces when they were done.

“It was the best workout I ever had,” says Ann Goldstein of Manlius, who attended her first piloxing class just after Thanksgiving. “After the holiday, I felt like I wanted something different. I will definitely be back.”

Roet is now learning even more about how piloxing can fit into the fitness routines of a diverse population. She is currently in her second trimester of her first pregnancy, and she is surprised by how much of the routine she can still do. “Some of the crunches are getting a little too difficult,” she says with a laugh. “But so far, I feel great when I am finished with a class.”     

The class at the JCC is held Mondays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. It is inclusive with a JCC membership or $10 per class for non-members. Call 445-2360 for more information. At the Eastside Racquet Club’s Fitness Spa, classes are $5 each for members, $10 for non-members. The schedule for January is currently being revised, so call 682-2904 for more information.