http://www.xfitcombatsports.com/

Workout #6 - X-Fit Highland 

This gym is right in our neighborhood so I was excited to give it a try. They offer different classes for men, women, and kids. My sister went with me the first time and we got the schedule mixed up and ended up being there at the Muay Thai Kickboxing class time - the girl at the front desk said girls never take the class, so we decided to go back another day.  We took a hot yoga class at another place instead.

The next day I went back to take a strength and conditioning class. When I walked in there was a lot going on:

Kids boxing in a ring

Men sparring in the middle 

People waiting and watching

On the far side of the room in a very small space was the location for my class. I was instructed to warm up walking on the treadmill.  I hate treadmills! I hate running... so I wasn't excited about this warm up. Then we paired up and started the class. My partner got on the treadmill and jogged for a mile while I started the circuit.

The workout was written on a whiteout board:

100 pushups

100 situps w/ 5lbs weights

200 jumping jacks

50 mountain climbers

50 side to side abs

30 med ball toss in the air with a sumo burpee

The instructor was super sweet, but she was wearing a beanie and big black sweatshirt and baggy black sweatpants so when she demonstrated the moves she definitely didn't look the part. The class had probably 15 or more people in a super small space (totally forgot to take pics--- sorry) and the floor was dirty carpet with ripped parts in it. 

We went through the circuit at our own pace doing 10 sets of each and then switching  to the next exercise. By the time my partner was done, I was over half way done with the circuit.  Then I jogged at a 6 for 1 mile (10min).  Remember I hate treadmills? Well, I really hate running on a treadmill! Then I went back to the circuit and finished. I was definitely sweating by the end.  I was happy to be done :) The instructor said they weigh in and talk about nutrition and if you skip a class they will text you to find out where you were. :)

The next day my sister and I took another class there. The man who taught the class was pretty in shape and the class was tough. It was a tabata style workout - 20 sec on, 10 sec rest - 8 times each exercise in a row, then you move on to the next exercise.

Treadmill incline run (man they love their treadmills)

Lunges

Pushups

Squats

Shoulder press

In the morning we were the only class, but we were still in the corner on the dirty carpet. 

So the nitty gritty: 

Way too small of an area for the class

The gym overall needed a major cleaning and remodel

You can get a good workout

The instructors seemed knowledgeable enough, but not overly qualified

Would I recommend this gym?  No... I got a good workout, but I just couldn't get past the atmosphere and the actual gym. So if you like a super "rustic" feel, then it might be the place for you.

http://www.climbhangar18.com/upland/

Friday's workout - Hangar 18 rock climbing - upland 

This gym is out of my "test area" but my sister recently started going there and got Jason and I a free one day climbing pass so we all went and tried it out.

So here is a quick overview:

Very stinky place!!
I'm sure there is a big learning curve but you can have fun on a first day too. 
You have to overcome any fear of heights.
You put your full trust in the gear, ropes and your belayer (buddy on the ground holding the rope). 

  
 This is a pretty large gym with lots of different options for any level of climber. You get a quick safety lesson before you start but nothing on form or actually climbing. You use a lot of forearm and finger strengh or at least I did :) There is no one actually helping you and there was only one guy working - answering phones, doing the safety setup, checking people in and giving gear etc. Would have been nice to have someone on the floor to give climbing tips to newbies. And man... the place was very stinky... seems like they could have done something about the smell. 
You can really get your body to reach muscle failure... on the more difficult climbs if I couldn't get a good hold or find the next grip after a bit my arm or hand muscles literally fatigued and I had to let go. Anyway probably a good way to gain muscle strength.


So the nitty gritty: 
You can get a good muscle workout here but at the beginner level I wasn't sweating much or breathing hard at all
It's fun to challenge yourself and pick more difficult climbs
The place could definitely use a good scrubbing down
Nice safe convenient indoor option for climbing
No one's butt looks good from below! ;)

Would I recommend this gym? Sure... if someone is looking for a climbing gym - but as a regular place to workout - no. It was fun to go with the family for a day... I mean where can you climb and climb to your hearts content - but I didn't love it.