To me, fall means new beginnings. It’s a sweet reminder to make the rest of the year as incredible as it can be, which starts with feeling my best. As summer comes to a close, new adventures are on the horizon, who isn’t in search of ways to be our best selves this fall? I know I am, and when it comes to wellness, few are more well versed than Hilary Sheinbaum. In her book The Dry Challenge, she provides life changing insight on the benefits of abstaining from alcohol for periods of time, and provides fun ways to tackle the challenge. The challenge promotes a healthy lifestyle, raises awareness about the effects of alcohol, and allows individuals to focus on self-improvement.
Hilary challenges are not only a brilliant way to get back in touch with your body and mind, but they’re also super unique and tons of fun! On Tuesday, we gathered at Rise Nation, the viral fitness studio that has taken the city by storm with its unique approach to working out. The VersaClimber, a versatile vertical climbing machine, is at the core of their workouts. This equipment challenges users to climb to new heights and push their physical limits while engaging the entire body. VersaClimbing is known for its low impact on joints and its ability to deliver a full-body workout, and when done with a fun loving instructor, can feel like a dance party.
If you’ve never seen a VersaClimber before, I’ll admit that it looks a bit jarring. The standing machine is confusing at first, and I found myself unsure of how it would even be used. But after a demonstration from our kindhearted instructor, I was shocked at how easy it was to get into the groove of the machine. The event began with a dynamic warm-up to prepare us for what lay ahead, set to high energy dance music that made the time go by way faster than expected. Our instructor guided us through a high-intensity climbing routine that incorporated ever changing speeds and resistance levels.
The room felt like a party in itself, with the lights constantly changing colors to the sound of the music. The atmosphere and music were both infectious and made for an immersive, high energy experience..Whether someone was an experienced climber or a beginner (me!), the workout was designed to be accessible and adaptable to all fitness levels.
After an exhilarating workout, we were treated to a sweet finale. Martini + Rossi, renowned for its sparkling wines and vermouth, had crafted a selection of mocktails. The alcohol-free beverages were the perfect way to celebrate the Dry Challenge while providing a refreshing and satisfying conclusion to the workout.
The event was more than just a workout class and mocktail party; it was a celebration of health and community. We were reminded that fitness and fun can go hand in hand, and that there are tons of enjoyable alternatives to alcohol for those participating in the Dry Challenge.
Hear more about Hilary and The Dry Challenge here!