As someone who has never been on any kind of reformer or machine for a workout class, I was pretty intimidated by Solidcore. And on top of that, all I had heard before trying out a class was how hard it is!
Well, this past Sunday one of my friends in ATL invited me to go to my first Solidcore class with her since it’s free to bring a friend with her membership! I absolutely loved it!! It reminded me how much I love and miss group fitness classes. There’s just something about being in a room full of people all motivated and working hard beside you, an encouraging instructor guiding you through a heart-pumping class, and the ambiance of low lighting and fun music blasting.
After only one class I can see why people love it. I’ll definitely be going back (once my body recovers and forgets how hard it was haha, only kidding).
Let’s get into some common questions (that I had before the class too), and my full review!
What is Solidcore?
Solidcore is a full-body, low-impact workout that will give your body the best burn! It uses a pilates-inspired machine called Sweatlana. Every class is different and each month they change up the muscle groups worked to allow for recovery and keep things fresh and exciting. It’s slow and controlled movements are designed to tone, sculpt, and lean.
How long do you work on the focused muscle group?
The class is 50 minutes long and the one I was at was very core (specifically oblique) and upper body focused. We spent about half the time focusing on core work with many forearm plank variations on the sliding Sweatlana, then we moved into upper body work with the resistance bands, weights, and even body-weight tricep work, and lastly we moved into an inner thigh burnout standing up on the machine for the last 10 minutes.
How will I know how to use the machine?
The Sweatlana I’ll admit was super intimidating at first. I arrived 15 minutes early so the instructor could introduce me to the machine and let me try it out. Since our class was heavily core focused, she guided me through a few of the core exercises and helped me with my form. Throughout the class the instructor will help you adjust your resistance springs on the machines if they know it’s your first time. There are also numbers and lines on the Sweatlana that the instructor uses during the class to help you know where to place your hands or feet.
Is it as hard as everyone, especially TikTok, says it is?
I will say… it definitely IS as hard as everyone says it is. But don’t let the word hard scare you away! Don’t you want to be pushed and challenged during a workout? That’s how you’ll see change physically and mentally! The instructor also offers modifications and assistance for first timers or beginners.
Can someone new to working out do Solidcore?
I think anyone can try anything if they’re up to the challenge. But I will say, it would help you complete the class to the full extent if you have some workout experience under your belt. The workout is definitely geared more towards intermediate and challenging rather than accommodating to beginners, but breaks are welcome and so are modifications!
Solidcore Full Review
DURATION: 50 minutes
DESCRIPTION: Solidcore is a full-body, low-impact, high-intensity workout using a workout machine called Sweatlana- similar to a pilates’ reformer. The Sweatlana has eight springs that vary in intensity, a carriage that slides back and forth (lots of core work using this), and resistance bands that are connected. The key to Solidcore is is trying to go as SLOW as possible, and trust me, you will feel the burn (and shakes!) instantly. The class moves fast, switching exercises every so often, but you’ll continue to move slow.
SWEAT LEVEL: 💦💦/5. The workout is low-impact and all about slow and controlled movements, so for someone (me) who doesn’t sweat that much to begin with, Solidcore won’t have you sweating much at all. But let me remind you that sweat is not an indicator of how challenging a workout is! The goal here is to sculpt, lean and tone which I know you will still see results without sweating.
SORE LEVEL: 💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼/5. I was SHAKING walking out of class, and already sore when sitting down in my car to drive home. This class absolutely pushed my muscles to failure… in the best way. I was sore in places I didn’t know could get sore for about two days following the class. Lots of stretching and recovery after was needed!
PROPS: The main props we used in my first class are the Sweatlana, weights for upper body work, and the resistance bands that are connected to the Sweatlana. The instructor recommended using either the 8lb weights or 5lb weights for your first class… and by the time we got to upper body work after core work I opted for the 5lbs which was perfect.
5 QUICK TIPS:
- Arrive 15 minutes early to meet your instructor, get settled and pick a machine, and ultimately to get familiar with the Sweatlana since it’s probably new to you! It doesn’t take long to catch on, but you definitely need the instructor to help walk you through it for your first class.
- Bring a full water bottle and keep in right by your machine (duh, but had to include).
- Take breaks whenever you need. The class doesn’t have breaks built in, so whenever you need water or need to shake it out, take your break!
- Pick a machine next to an experienced friend or frequent Solidcore goer so you can look to them for assistance. The instructor walks around the whole class rather than doing the class with you on the machine, so it’s helpful to be by someone who’s done it before since it moves fast!
- Put on a fit you feel comfortable and confident in and be prepared to feel the burn!
