High intensity training is what it’s all about at The Fhitting Room. That means 50 fast-paced minutes of moves that rely primarily on body weight (burpees, jumping jacks, lunges and squats) and standard equipment (kettlebells, medicine balls, rowers and TRX), combined to create a Functional High Intensity Mix (FHIX). Our class was a fairly balanced blend of women and men (guys were definitely well-represented, for a group fitness class in Manhattan) and with an instructor-to-client ratio of 12:1, we found extra help where we needed it–and minimal opportunity to “rest” while no one was watching. Here’s a look around the gorgeous studio, plus a shot of Emily, Bianca and me celebrating a job well done.

Curious to try it out?  Book a class at The Fhitting Room’s Flatiron or original Upper East Side studio (first-time students receive 2 classes for the price of 1 – $35).  Then, come back here and let me know what you think!

Featured image c/o The Fhitting Room.

Designed to burn fat and sculpt muscle simultaneously, HIIT includes a mix of kettle bell training, burpees, lunges and squats. This class incorporated those–and then some. It was a sold-out show, with 21 clients, and we each occupied a fixed spot in the studio vs. other HIIT classes, which often rely on circuits and continuous movement of small groups between stations.

In addition to the music, those of us who’d chosen to wear a Wahoo heart rate monitor supplied by the front desk were also able to push ourselves using the numbers displayed on a flat screen.

I always find this type of information inspirational vs. defeatist, so, whenever I saw my intensity level change from orange to yellow, I knew it was time to step it back up.

After several rounds of exercises, laid out for us on a chalk board at the beginning of class, we ended with abs: side and center planks plus scissor kicks. Ugh. What I need and dread most.

And, before I picked up my berry smoothie and headed out the door, I grabbed Robert plus a kettle bell for a sweaty photo opp. Posing for the camera and on the mic in class, this guy was born to do it.

You’re wrong.

Welcome to Tone House, the hardest workout in New York City.

Bathed in red light, you’ll breathe harder than in any other class in town, you’ll sweat profusely as you carry the weight of a 70-pound harness on your back and you may even see black spots in between sets. But, you’ll be back for more.

Founder Alonzo Wilson lettered in every high school sport and went on to play college football. He now models for Wilhemina (that face, those guns!) and in conversation, he’s surprisingly soft-spoken for someone who designed a workout so crazy fierce.

The 15-minute warm-up consists of several rounds of hurdles, like these.

Then, there are pushups and burpees wearing the harness, strapped to the wall.

And, sprints back and forth across the studio, followed by resistance exercises using TRX bands that leverage your full body weight.

You’ll do all of this for an hour until it’s time to stretch and gather for one last team huddle signifying “game over.”

But, if you’re like me, the next morning, as you tell your friends about your more-than-grueling evening the night before, you’ll maybe, just maybe, also check the schedule.