The Class: I attended the Burlesque Body Workout at the Ruby Room’s Commerce Street studio (soon to be in a larger space on Parry Ave). This class is currently offered every Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.
The Appeal: The description alone ripped me out of my comfort zone: “Get in shape and sculpt your body into a lean dancers’ physique that will leave you wanting to show off a lot more skin!” After I watched a few of the group’s performances online, I decided I had to try a class.
The Instructor: Shelbelle Shamrock is one of the founding members of the Ruby Revue and specializes in hip-hop and break dance.
The Space: The entrance is illuminated by two red “RR” marquee lights that welcome you to the small, mirrored studio. A metal welcome desk and small cubbies for you to put your gear in line the back wall.
Who’s There: The age and fitness level of our little class varied greatly. Everyone strolled in with a warm hello in their comfortable clothing and sneakers—as if they lived there.
How It Went: Shamrock asked us what we wanted to focus on in the class. We collectively decided that we would love to tone our booties and our abs and she excitedly agreed. She then informed us that if we had time, we would spend the last few minutes of class learning ten different ways to shake our shake our butts. My mind flashed back to the dressing room at Luke’s Locker where I stood admiring my heavy running tights because they PREVENTED jiggling.
We spent the first few minutes stretching then moved on to a series of plié and relevé squats. Next, we worked on some challenging hip-hop inspired steps that made us all laugh at our poor coordination. Once we mastered the moves, we rolled out yoga mats and completed a brutal series of crunches (traditional, bicycle, elbows-to-knees..etc.).
At last, the backside-shaking portion of the class rolled around. Everyone giggled as we turned to face the back corner of the studio (so we could check our form) and practiced shaking, twerking and popping our cabooses to Michael Jackson songs. I cursed my small behind and squirmed around at the back of the room in my compression tights while the class applauded the students who were particularly gifted in this department. I vowed to eat more carbs and purchase more forgiving gear as we stretched and said our goodbyes.
The Aftermath: My abs were so sore for the next few days I almost convinced myself I’d caught a stomach bug.
Loved: The girls-night feeling I got as soon as I walked in the door. The intimate setting and friendly, laid-back vibe is exactly what I look for in a studio.
Hated: The class structure and music is pieced together on the fly so there were some awkward pauses between series while Shamrock thought of what to do next and tinkered with the music.
Cost: The single class fee is $20, a month of unlimited classes is $65, and a monthly, recurring unlimited pass is only $50.
Difficulty Level: This is not a high-intensity class. You could be at almost any fitness level and still have fun and get a great workout.
Bottom Line: This is a great place to loosen up, hit some target areas, and polish up your dance moves. Go with an open mind and prepare to feel a little silly.
