I joined their marathon training program in September, after a year of fattening Covid-19…read more"stay-at-home" measures as a way to start moving. I didn't want to make a review right away because I wanted to go through the whole experience, but now I'm pretty sure I'm going to continue with them, so let me break it down for you. The short version, if you don't want to read a lot, is: Do it!!! The Experience: while in my youth I didn't have a car and I hated public transportation, so I used to walk a lot when possible, it's been about 20 years of being sort of a couch potato, with some brief stints at gyms and/or riding bicycles by myself... A friend of mine is training with Team Footworks, and she made it look attractive... though I still had some reservations because, generally speaking, I've felt that experienced athletes seem to look down upon couch potatoes, even on beginners' classes. Keep in mind, these are not classes, this is training, so my expectations were fairly low. Right before the season started, they made a zoom meeting where they explained all the program AND answered all questions. And then let us go to the first session without joining yet, just as a test. Overall, first session is: pick a group you think you can keep up with. Same with the following two sessions. I bounced around a little bit on those three sessions and then it was suggested to me that I should probably join the walkers, so I did. The whole season I stayed with that group, a very welcoming and encouraging group of people led by Debby and Renee. Every Saturday, we started stretching and warming up at the route-start point (the Footworks store), and increasing the mileage every session. They recommend, in addition to the Saturday sessions, you walk/run at least twice within the week, and do a different low-impact activity on one other day to round up the training and conditioning. If you want, you can join the "fun-run" every Tuesday and Thursday, where people from different groups just meet up and do about four or five miles at their own pace. That covers the twice a week training, leaving only the low-impact activity for you to figure out. After each season there is a "big event" (what you're supposed to be training for). But since covid has been messing up gatherings, my first season ended up with as "half marathon" event organized by Footworks itself, which was fun and showed us the progress. Now I'm starting my second season. Now I'm training with the runners. What they call the 3-1 group (run three minutes, walk one to recover, the three again and one again and so on and so forth. I feel I'm probably not ready for that group yet, but they have been so supportive and encouraging that pushing myself a bit over my comfort zone actually helps me get in better shape and improve, which is the whole point of the training. Each season is about three months, they're always pointing to a specific event (marathon or half-marathon, but it's just a goal to set your sights on, not a requirement. Also the Footworks store, has products for all your running needs and they are prepared for, willing to, and happy to help you and advise you in any way you need for your training. Plus, sometimes we go to happy-hour after runs, which helps make this something more like a group of friends who train together instead of just strangers who meet up to train, and that in turn helps you have an environment that promotes your coming back and doing the work.

Team Footworks hosts many outstanding local 5k and running events and I've also attended their…read moreTuesday and Thursday evening group runs, though not religiously. I met with Eddie Suarez who introduced me to JP Huseby one weekend afternoon in early 2017 and we hatched an idea to create a 24 Hour Treadmill Challenge. The idea was to raise money for a charity. Being a fan of ultra marathons, and having run a few myself over the years, I also planted another idea to the team: why not try to break a world record. On December 30-31st between 4pm to 4pm the ideas we had been planning became reality: over $10,000 was raised for Make A Wish Foundation; ultra marathon legend Michael Wardian flew down from his home in Arlington, Virginia to try to break the 24 HR treadmill record which stood at 162.29 miles but the record stood firm as he managed just 130 miles; I ran 80 miles; Team Footworks 137 miles and Team M*ergy 126 miles. The entire set up took place outside of South Miami's Footworks store. And we had a great time! The whole event was pretty awesome and the atmosphere was also super positive. I hope we can do something similar in 2018.

A great community resource... if you can access it…read more The park and pool's website information has not been updated. Hours and cost information listed online are not correct. The pool is lovely and well-maintained. You can swim laps, paddle around, or take swimming lessons at different times of the day. I tried to use the pool a couple of times during the day but wasn't able to because it was either mysteriously closed or had no public access - swim lessons were being given. The changing rooms are a bit... Spartan and rustic - nothing but a few benches in a concrete box. Do not go by the hours listed online. You have to physically go to the pool and look at the noticed posted at the pool entrance. (see photo) The price online is also wrong. The fact that it is late June and the Recreation Center sill has a lit Christmas tree in the lobby lets you know that oversight and management is nearly non-existent. If they don't have the leadership to pack a Christmas tree in a box, then certainly don't expect the website to show current information.

What a sweet little pool in the heart of Downtown/Brickell! Right on the Miami River, you can watch…read morethe boats go by as you swim your laps. And at only $3 per adult, it's a steal! I was worried they wouldn't take credit cards since it's such a low fee, but they do. The pool didn't feel like a typical 25 yard length, so I asked the lifeguard and he says it's a 33 meter pool. Bear in mind as you plan your workout. Pool has five or six lanes and is flanked by bleachers and some very basic changing room/shower facilities. Lap swim hours (pictured) are pretty extensive Monday through Friday. Less so Saturday and Sunday but still workable. I came in the middle of a work day and had a lane to myself.

One of the largest run clubs in USA, the Baptist Health Brickell Run club has a great vibe and…read moreawesome scenic routes around the area. Always around 3 to 4 miles full of fun likeminded people and, although it can be crowded at times, this run club is fun and suitable for all level runners. There is always pacers for each group and a nice after run plan.

I originally joined a run club when training for my first half marathon at the suggestion of Sole…read moreRunners where I bought my sneakers. At first, like anything new, I was a little shy and apprehensive but it didn't take long before I noticed just how special and life changing this activity was for me. What makes the Brickell location so superb is the scenic route. You're alongside dozens of runners thru the streets of Brickell alongside the waterways and buildings, much better than your average neighborhood run. You also have different groups depending on your pace so you'll never be too slow and get left behind. Every Tuesday at 7pm...and its free!

The inaugural 2012 Key Biscayne Half Marathon took place under pretty awful running…read moreconditions--high winds and blowing rain--but the organizers managed to keep it together. The aid station volunteers were encouraging and on top of things and the aid stations themselves were well maintained and spaced out nicely along the course. Despite the discouraging weather, there was a good turnout and I was pleased to see so many spectators stoically waiting and cheering under umbrellas and ponchos along the way and at the finish line. The decision to add the Powell bridge to the middle of the course was an interesting one, to me--I found it manageable because I run that bridge almost every day, but I'm sure people who are unused to it might have been a little overwhelmed. Unlike the Miami Beach Halloween Half Marathon, I doubt this will ever be a PR-setting course for many runners simply because of the vertical challenge, but the views are great and meandering through Crandon was fun. Four stars because the tech shirt was a little bare (they didn't even print the year on it!) and the medal was cool, but the ribbon was generic and chintzy. It's not a huge deal but I have to withhold that elusive fifth star because it seems like they kind of cheaped out there. Still, I'll definitely be running this race next year if it's on.

I really enjoyed this race, despite the truly atrocious weather! The one positive to all that rain…read moreand wind was that it kept the heat at bay! The positives: It's great to have a half marathon so late in the "season"! Many races in South Florida are all bunched up in November - February, so it's really nice to have one last one before the summer sets in. The course was fantastic! We don't have enough hills in South Florida, so being able to hit the bridge twice was a GREAT workout! It was definitely NOT too crowded. At every other race I've done this year, the crowding at the start was bordering on dangerous, but not at this one. Perfect amount of people Race day packet pickup! I did not avail myself of it, but it's really nice to have that option Friendly organizers. I finished 3rd in my age group and since they skipped the awards ceremony due to the weather, they mailed me my award promptly and followed up with an email to make sure I got it! The negatives: There was conflicting information about packet pickup times and locations. The emails all mentioned purchasing a parking pass ahead of time, but didn't give a lot of information about it. It turns out that Crandon was charging for parking and if you pre-paid, you could skip the line. I waited in that line for close to 30 minutes! Had I known, I would have just purchased the parking pass. SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT YEAR - just add the parking onto the race entry as probably 99% of participants are going to drive there. Food area - I finished pretty early and had no problem zipping through and getting something to eat; however, I saw that it was VERY crowded as more people were finishing the race. Leaving the parking lot took almost as long as entering it. I do think that all of the negatives were due to it being an inaugural race and that the organizers will work out the kinks for next year. All things considered, it went off EXTREMELY well given the weather and the big turnout. I will definitely be running it next year!

Checked out this Barry's location for a midday Friday class. I go to Barry's 1-2 times a week in…read morethe DC area and had heard great things about the Miami so perhaps my expectations were too high. The 4 of us who went together all regularly do Barry's and while it was a perfectly fine class, none of us felt like it was at all memorable. The instructor was alright but said some strange/awkward things on the mic and her music was not for us. It was all deep EDM without lyrics and I wanted something more motivating to push me through. Her cueing was OK but I saw a lot of bad form and there were no corrections on her end. Overall, I'd come back and check out a different instructor. My friend had warned me that she had read some ClassPass reviews that this instructor wasn't the best (and she goes to this location regularly). She told me she took Rick the next week and he was exceptional so definitely down to give it another shot.

This place is so awesome!!! The place is spotless, clean, and state of art equipment. The class was…read moreprobably the best i had in miami. the trainer was stern and encouraging but also didn't single you out in class (such an annoying part of classes). The class was a mix between HIIT on the treadmills and floor work with weights (some legs but mostly arms and abs). Complete full body workout. I ordered one of the smoothies before the workout, and it is ready for you after the workout. I forget the name but it had a few berries and the energy mushrooms. I omitted the protein powder. it tasted good and was very filling. I can't say enough good things about this experience! i can't wait to return on class pass.

Cardio and leg day in 30 minutes, yes please! This studio conducts its workouts on stationary…read moreclimbers in darkened and club-like lighting with great energy. You can expect to get a little breathless and sweaty within a few minutes of starting since they start you right away with active climbing. It takes a little time to get used to stepping and pushing/pulling vertically while strapped into the climber, since the movement is different from your other daily activities. You need to remind yourself not to crane your head and neck back---don't worry, your head will not hit the climber center pole, trust me I've tried. But if it's good enough for Bradley Cooper (see the article about Rise Nation they have posted next to the restroom), it must be good enough for me. If you're going for the first time, make sure to look at the schedule and see what levels are being offered in their classes. They have classes ranging from Level I (good for beginners, can add on) to Level III ("EXTREME"), so pay attention to what you attend. The staff and instructors are very nice and helpful about getting you situated on the climber, so don't hesitate to tell them if it's your first time. Hint: the handles that you grab onto can be removed and put in different height holders, which they will tell you. The instructors will tell you that they go between a "mid range" (regular strides) and "long range" (full strides). Their cues will alternate between these ranges, different resistances and faster/slower paces. Once you get used to the climber, don't be afraid to go faster, "rip" (reach and stride) longer and increase resistance when they instruct you to. Remember, you need to get it all in within 30 minutes! The actual class time can run up to 35-40 minutes if you stay for the full cool down and stretch, so don't expect to bolt out in 30 minutes if you want the full workout experience. It's still a very efficient workout if you're looking to change up your exercise routine! They offer lots of promotional packages that give you 10 classes for $10-15 each, so look for them online and when you go! And/or use the amazing ClassPass like me, since each class costs 6-7 credits. Parking is not too bad for the Design District, since there is a lot of street parking within a block or two of the studio's building. There's a juice bar on the same block if you want to treat yourself for all the good work you've done! Try it out, see you there soon!

Such a fun class. Its a quick 30 minute workout on these climbers that you need your arms and legs…read moreto move up and down. Its an excellent core workout (when engaged), and cardio exercise. The trainers are all upbeat and do their best to keep everyone motivated.

I'm writing this the day after my workout & let me tell you I am SORE and feeling good. My first…read moretime trying Sweat 440 after seeing it for years. Its a great workout if you are self motivated, busy & don't want to think. It's a little confusing at first but once you get the structure it's fine: There are trainers walking around who offer encouragement & suggestions periodically. Lauren was a sweetheart and made me feel welcome! My only gripe is that realistically, there's no time to do your workout and clean the stations. I will def wear a hoodie & maybe gloves to feel less icky on floor & bench workouts!

Sweat440 midtown offers the engaging, fun, and high intensity experience that you need when you…read morehave a busy schedule. The coaches not only know what they're doing but they give you just enough push to sustain the burn. This gym cares about your goals and is worth every minute of the 40 you're there for.

I'm entering my 3rd cycle with Steadfast Running, presently coaching is through Team Footworks…read moreAdvanced Training Program, and it's been quite a year of accomplishments running-wise. In my first two cycles alone met my goals of establishing a sub 5 minute mile and then running a sub 17 minute 5k. I'm less than 30 seconds from a personal record that is 30 years old. Of course I've never trained as much in my life. My goal in cycle 3 is to reach my PR in the 5k. Surprisingly the secret is increasing volume and running much slower than I was used to at least for the base phase. Run slow to get fast. Coach Mederos is methodical and helps runners who are able to run comfortably at their goal race reach their full potential. The group meets early however. I've been doing all my training between the hours of 4-6am, which is just fine by me. It takes a little bit of adjusting to this type of schedule but once you are hooked it's a good group to converse with. If you are self directed however, but need a schedule of runs as well as good advice this is definitely the coach for you.