Sweat Fixx

Low Impact | High Intensity | Total Body

Instructor Spotlight: Jacqueline Cialone

Jacqueline brings an energy to her classes that makes you want to deliver your best performance – get ready for that PR! Not only will she challenge your strength and endurance but more than that, she will build you up and fill your cup in a quick 45 minutes. You will leave smiling and excited for your next opportunity to do it again!

If you enjoy a little singing and dancing while pushing yourself to your limits – Jacqueline’s class is the one for you! Read more about her below and then get to one of her classes – ASAP!

How did you hear about Sweat Fixx and what made you interested in being a part of the team?

I noticed it driving by one day and had heard such great things about it from a coworker and my sister in law, Maria, I knew I had to try! Maria invited me to do a Glow Row with her which was so much fun and I was hooked after that! I love the close community, the fun classes and events, and the ROWER! Although I knew it would be a challenge to teach at Sweat Fixx because the classes are unlike any I have ever taught (or taken) before, I knew I wanted to be part of the team!

What keeps you coming back?

So much! I absolutely love the rower (which I never thought I would) and the variety of classes! They are always challenging, humbling, never the same, competitive, and most importantly motivating and fun! The awesome instructors are always pushing you get in one more meter, one inch lower, and give it 100%! I always leave sweaty as heck and feeling great!

When you aren’t at Sweat Fixx, where can we find you?

I am a first grade teacher so you can find me at school! I am also a Mom! I have two sons, Joseph (10) and Jack (6) who keep me very busy! We are either at soccer, baseball, flag football, basketball or spending family time together!

Where is your favorite place to grab a quick snack or drink?

Hmmmm I love snacks so this is a tough one! I would say Starbucks for a drink. I love coffee (decaf) and I don’t have a favorite drink there, I love them all! For snacks I would say Richardsons for ice cream and Flatbreads for Pizza! Oh and I love a good smoothie or bowl from the Juicery! So hard to choose just one!

Favorite guilty pleasure?

Ice cream!

What’s one thing about you, that people would NEVER guess?

I have completed 3 Whole 30s! I love to cook and eat clean (and indulge at times too) and learn about the best ways to fuel my body!

What’s one thing you are most proud of accomplishing in the past six months?

Well, since the last six months have been a bit crazy and far from normal, I would have to say just holding down the fort and trying to keep things as “normal” as possible at home with my family! Also, going through the Sweat Fixx training virtually!

One piece of advice you would give to someone who is walking through the Sweat Fixx doors for the first time?

You are going to feel amazing and if it’s tough at first don’t give up! I will admit I was totally lost at first! All the numbers, on and off the rower!! “How many do I need to do?” “How long do I have to do it in?” Meters, minutes?!?!? You will get it and you will love it, I promise! “If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you!”

Anything else you want to add?

I love the Sweat Fixx community and I am truly excited to be a part of it! Hope to see you all in class at some point!

Member of the Month: Lee Haggerty

Lee is one of our most consistent Southie clients and it’s been amazing to watch her progress over the past year. She constantly strives to improve her own performance, but stays incredibly humble. Never underestimate her because if you set her a goal, you can bet she’s working at 110% to get there!

She is such a big part of the Southie crew; when new clients come to class, she is the first to partner with them and introduce them to the Fixx fam. During the shut down, Lee stayed consistent with her workouts and continued to support Sweat Fixx with the virtual classes.

We are so excited for Southie’s member of the month (AND prow bowl team member!) Lee Haggerty!

How did you first hear about Sweat Fixx?

In September 2018, I moved down the street from the Southie studio and came across Sweat Fixx on ClassPass. I took a sculpt class with Elise and never looked back.

 

What keeps you coming back?

The energy of the instructors and fellow members. The community that Sweat Fixx has created is the best I have seen across any group fitness market. I also love that I get to workout with some of my closest friends in person, and family on virtual!

 

What’s one thing that you look forward to every time you come to class?

The positive energy. No matter what kind of day/week I am having, going to class always makes me feel happier & stronger. And I always look forward to the killer playlists!

What motivates you to be stronger?

Growing up, I loved playing sports and competing/achieving goals. In college I felt like I had lost some of that motivation and drive. Since starting with Sweat Fixx, I feel like I have found that drive again. And it’s competition with myself just as much as it is with the studio as a whole! I have really enjoyed seeing the progress I have made in lifting and with rowing.

 

When you aren’t crushing it on the rower or mat, where can we find you?

Outside!!! I love to hike, walk, ski, hang at the beach, or read on my roof deck.

 

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Red wine, chocolate & The Bachelor/Bachelorette 🙂

What are you most proud of accomplishing since you first came to Sweat Fixx?

Qualifying for the Prow Bowl this year! Next goal is winning!

 

One tip that you would give to someone who is coming to Sweat Fixx for the first time?

Be open about trying something new. I was intimidated by the rower for months and was worried about not doing it correctly. But everyone has been in your shoes and instructors are great at walking you through all the steps to it. I can promise that it gets easier and is always a great workout.

 

Anything else you’d like to add?

Just show up – once you’re in the studio (or virtual) it gets easier to keep pushing through the tough parts. Also, it’s been said before, but supporting local businesses is the best thing you can do for your community and for yourself. Building strength today is an investment for your own future, and Sweat Fixx is the best place I can think of to invest in yourself.

2020 School Year – 3 Different Perspectives

2020 – the year where nothing is normal, everything is chaotic, but everyone is trying their best. Sometimes you have to laugh, cry or yell (or all 3) to just get by. We asked 3 people on our crew to help get different perspectives on how they are handling their work, school and still prioritizing their health.

Kayla is a nanny turned full-time homeschool teacher since Covid. Her days became much busier and her days much longer – but she works hard to still find time for herself.

Jacqueline is a teacher navigating this new, unfamiliar way of educating students and also a mother of 2 young boys who are in a hybrid style school. Through it all, Jacqueline is keeping a positive attitude!

Miriah is managing her role as a mother/ teacher/ ultrasound technician as best as she can all while trying to move out of her house! Through the chaos she is working on staying grounded and keeping to a healthy routine.

We hope that you guys get a laugh or two out of their stories and can feel some relief that you are not the only one going through this!

Kayla

All I have to say as a nanny for three / homeschool teacher, bless you parents, because I get to do the fun stuff and then give them back at the end of the day to go home and enjoy a bottle of wine.

The last couple weeks have definitely been challenging. Not only did I go from homeschooling one kiddo to homeschooling three of them but I also went from working 40 hours a week to 55. I know we all have the same amount of hours as Beyoncé but all I could think was when will I EVER find the time for ME. Trying to balance homeschooling, a part time job, working out, a social life, and a relationship seems pretty impossible. But here I am, maybe not thriving but alive and well.

Something I find really helpful is to plan, plan, plan. I have my own personal daily planner, a children’s planner, my work family calendar, and my personal family calendar (even though I don’t even think my husband looks at it). I usually try and sit down on Sundays to plan out my personal week… deciding when I have time to get my Sweat Fixx classes in, what I’m going to make for dinner, when to place my Whole Foods grocery delivery (because you know my busy ass isn’t going there myself), and honestly when I can even sit to just read a book. I feel like when I see it on paper, it usually comes to life. Maybe not at the time slot I put it at… but it gets done.

Also another huge piece of advice I can give anyone home schooling is to not take everything so seriously and to enjoy the small moments. Small moments like, mid serious conversation to a 2nd grader about having to pay attention to their zoom meetings and being more responsible, asking “do you understand what I’m saying?” and them answering, “if girls try to pee standing up then they just pee all over the floor”. Or when we have 5 seconds for a quick cuddle and the little asks, “Kayla why are your legs so hairy?”. Sometimes you just have to laugh because kids really are hilarious. Even when you are three coffees deep and juggling four things at once. More small moments like, your kindergartener reading a tough word in his own. Celebrate! Your preschooler finally identifying that random number 9 that they haven’t been able to identify on their own yet. Celebrate! Your second grader has been practicing how to count by 7’s and nails it. Celebrate!

Don’t forget about yourself, you’re a superstar too!! You have a spare 40 minutes to make your favorite dinner, celebrate! You made it to a 5:30 class when you just left work at 5:10 last minute, celebrate!

2020 has been a really challenging year for everyone. You’re not alone. Don’t forget to reach out to your support system is you need some workout accountability, help with the kids, or even just someone to complain with. Sometimes all you need is a good venting session. We are not Beyoncé. We can’t do it all. But we can try really freaking hard. If today didn’t go as planned, guess what, the sun will come out tomorrow, unless you live in New England than who knows. But you catch my drift.

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Jacqueline

Being a teacher as well as a Mom can be trying on a regular day, add COVID-19 to the mix and well, I think that speaks for itself!  The past few months leading up to the start of school have been very stressful and worrisome for us all!  In my case, I am teaching fully remote from home and my two sons are hybrid.  Now that this learning circus has settled in, it is actually not as bad as I had envisioned it to be!  Although I feel like a first year teacher again, I am remaining optimistic, learning a lot, and taking things as they come.  Masks, sanitizer, desks 6 feet apart, Google Classroom,  Zoom, cohorts, mute, unmute, screens off, screens on, everyone talking at once, 75 new websites and curriculums (for  myself and the boys) are all very real but I’ve learned to take LOTS of deep breaths and remember I am only human and can only do my best.  If I have any advice to give as we navigate this new learning normal it would be to be present in each moment and try your very best, if you do this and things still aren’t perfect, it’s ok!  This is brand new and a huge learning curve for all teachers, students and families alike!  We will get through it, we can do hard things  (or at least that’s what is on repeat in my mind!)

When it comes to keeping my teacher life and the rest of my life in order, I need to make sure I plan and write things down!  I literally have lists everywhere because if I don’t write it down when I think of it I will forget!  At the end of each day I try to condense the lists and check off!  I plan everything from my weekly meals, to my kid’s outfits for school, to when I can catch a live or virtual class or maybe squeeze in a walk or run!  For me the motto, “fail to prepare or be prepared to fail” could not be more true!  My mind feels so much better when I have my week planned out which in turns makes for a happier me and a smoother week for us all!  Any last advice I can give would be to try and plan things out especially if you’re always running in a million different directions like me!  Also, try to squeeze time in for yourself and move your body!  If you can’t make it to a class in the studio or fit in a virtual one, get outside for a walk, even if it’s 15 minutes!  Moving your body will always put you in a better state of mind!    

As we all await the big day when we can get back to school 100% of the time and get back to normal, just remember it’s ok to have it all together one day and be a hot mess the next (#balance), moms and teachers, we got this!

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Miriah

Adrianna 9 and Dantae 6 full remote, still in ultrasound 2 long days, and 1 virtual class.  Oh and I added a move on top of it. I may be insane…

 “Are you muted?”  “Is your camera off?” I think to myself daily, “what don’t I want the teachers to actually hear and see?”  Recently, I screamed so loud celebrating finding the page for Dantae that his teacher responded “Wow Mrs. Corso is super excited for math today!” This is normal.  I repeat this is normal. We are all doing the best we can.
Some things I am doing to try and stay organized is prep food for the kids and myself.  Protein in the morning is a non negotiable –  healthy snacks and water! I do 80/20.  Food is fuel but sometimes the whoopie pies and wine win…  balance! I have my old school planner and plan out my week with workouts, I always feel amazing after I get my Fixx!
Be easy on yourself. I always say, take it moment to moment.  When shit gets crazy you can lock yourself in the bathroom and ground yourself…. I also do this at work!
Lastly, dance, get wild and shake it out! Try to have some fun. I think about what I want my kids to remember – screw the overwhelm and the perfection. It’s ok to stop, take a break, and reset.  Maybe we need more sleep, maybe we need more squats, maybe we need more connection with friends! Get up early take care of you then watch how differently everything flows in your day. Also, pray I don’t get caught saying fuckkkkkkk on Zoom!

 

Instructor Spotlight: Carri Bresnahan

Carri has been part of the Sweat Fixx crew for almost an entire year, but she had started taking classes long before that! She began by taking classes at our Beverly studio and see firsthand that community being built. Luckily for us, she decided to take the leap and join our team.

We knew right from the start of her audition that Carri would be a great instructor for Sweat Fixx – she brings so much energy and motivation to her classes as soon as she mics up!

Find Carri at our Beverly, Arlington or Southie studio! You can even catch her on our virtual classes.

How did you hear about Sweat Fixx and what made you interested in being a part of the team?

After a few friends of mine became clients, and then instructors, I had to see what all the hype was about! The Beverly studio was about to open so I took the leap and booked classes on both days of opening weekend. From there, I was hooked and bought a package before I even walked out from my first class! As the months went on, I got to witness the Beverly community forming right from the ground up. I saw instructors welcome countless newbies to class with so much enthusiasm every time and saw them cheer clients on to new PRs – it was only natural to want to be a part of that!

What keeps you coming back?

So many workout classes can get predictable, week after week. At Sweat Fixx, we may be doing some of the same exercises or some of the same pushes on the rower, but the creativity that every single instructor on our team brings to their classes make each one so distinct. I love being surprised by a new exercise or a challenging AMRAP when I take class, and love doing the same for clients when I teach.

When you aren’t at Sweat Fixx, where can we find you?

Probably out for drinks, but still with my Sweat Fixx people!

Where is your favorite place to grab a quick snack or drink?

Far From the Tree in Salem – they brew all their own ciders and they always have something new or experimental on tap.

Favorite guilty pleasure?

Grey’s Anatomy – I can’t give up on something after 15 seasons!

What’s one thing about you, that people would NEVER guess?

I’ve been on two solo trips to Europe! I always knew I wanted to travel more, but was tired of waiting around for my friends or my family to commit to a trip with me. So a little over a year ago, I found a group trip for young solo travelers and I spontaneously booked it without telling anybody! I saw Amsterdam, Paris, and London on my first trip, and a bunch of cities in Spain on my second trip this past August. It was definitely intimidating to pack my bags and head off by myself, but I made so many amazing friends and memories along the way that it was so worth it!

What’s one thing you are most proud of accomplishing in the past six months?

Definitely keeping myself sane and motivated while adjusting to working from home through the pandemic. When everything shut down, I had just been getting into my groove at Sweat Fixx, things were going great at work, and I was keeping super busy. So it was like going from a hundred to zero in one day. Sweat Fixx virtual classes helped keep me connected to the community, which was HUGE, and I was able to take advantage of all the extra time that not commuting gave me to focus on getting back into running!

One piece of advice you would give to someone who is walking through the Sweat Fixx doors for the first time?

Know that ANYONE can row. I remember wanting to try out for the crew team in high school and being told that I was “too short to row,” so I didn’t bother trying. Fast forward a few years and not only have I come to love rowing but I get to empower other people to love it as well. I may still not be the best rower, but I found something that makes me excited to workout and that challenges me every time I step into the studio. Know that when we push you to be “faster” you don’t always need to be the fastest person in the room – we just want to help YOU to be faster than YOU were yesterday.

Anything else you want to add?

As one of the newer instructors, I’m so excited to meet you all! Catch me in Wakefield, Arlington, or Beverly. And since I’m bouncing between three studios, I’m still working on everyone’s names – so bear with me!

Instructor Spotlight: Caroline Logan

Taking 100 classes in 100 days of opening Amesbury is an impressive, boss move.  Then this superstar continued classes when the world stopped turning, hitting 200 classes in July. Now she is our newest addition to the instructor team!

Meet Caroline, the girl with the goals, and the girl who does not let anything stop her from achieving them.

How did you hear about Sweat Fixx and what made you interested in being a part of the team?

I drove by when SF first opened in Amesbury, and I googled to see what it was about. I had never done rowing OR group fitness before in my life, but signed up for a Tuesday night class on a whim… the rest is history!

 What keeps you coming back?

At first, it was every single instructor in my DM’s cheering me on and making sure I signed up for class. Now, I can’t picture my routine without SF, all my favorite people are here!

When you aren’t at Sweat Fixx, where can we find you?

Snuggling on the couch watching Real Housewives with my boyfriend & two dogs, Hallie and Annie.

Where is your favorite place to grab a quick snack or drink?

GRANDE MEXICO IN AMESBURY. Best queso and giant margs for taco Tuesday!

Favorite guilty pleasure?

Serial killer documentaries… and podcasts… and books…and shows…

What’s something about you, that people would NEVER guess?

I play the trumpet and am in love with Guy Fieri.

What’s one thing you are most proud of accomplishing in the past six months?

Completing virtual instructor training from home during quarantine!

One piece of advice you would give to someone who is walking through the Sweat Fixx doors for the first time?

No matter your age, experience level, or fitness knowledge–come as you are! It’s a place for everyone, and the best community in the world. They make everyone feel part of the crew from Day 1.

Member of the Month: Christina Dill

Christina started with us during the Pandemic when we went to Stream only classes. Going from never really working out to crushing over 50 stream classes (in 2 months!), she doesn’t seem to be slowing down.

Living with MS has its challenges, but you would never know it with Christina’s grit and willingness to step out of her comfort zone each and every day. Her friends would say that she has never once complained about this debilitating disease and instead embraces challenge and lets nothing stand in her way. Getting motivated IN studio is easy – feeding off of the energy in the room. It’s another thing to begin a routine, solely over zoom and stick with it. Well, this amazing client has done it and we are so proud.

Check out our amazing Stream Member of the Month – and p.s. get her a damn cookie!

How did you first hear about Sweat Fixx?

Many friends are members of Sweat Fixx and always have great things to say about the studio, the people and their workouts.

What keeps you coming back?

Improved overall strength. I have been struggling with MS both physically and emotionally for almost 20 years. I battle with limited balance, fatigue, weakness, feeling in my hands, legs and feet and vision. Before I started I couldn’t even think about shoulder taps in a plank. Each time they’re in a routine I can do more and more. It’s exciting to see that in myself. I have a long way to go. Some days I just don’t have it in me but if I can do at least one or two exercises, it’s more than what I could do before I started.

What’s one thing that you look forward to every time you come to a class?

The instructors are so motivating. It sets the tone for the day. It keeps me going on most days and the days I thought I couldn’t get out of bed. I feel good about myself afterwards.

What motivates you to be stronger?

My daughters (ages 11 and 14)!! They need their mom. I need to be there for them every step of the way.

When you aren’t crushing it on the rower or mat, where can we find you?

Easy!! My favorite place is the beach. Or just laughing and hanging with my amazing and supportive group of friends and family that I adore!.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

After a meal I crave a cookie or something sweet. So yes, anything sweet is my guilty pleasure.

What are you most proud of accomplishing since you first came to Sweat Fixx?

The fact that I can do a lot of the workout. I definitely modify most exercises but it’s so worth it. I do what I can.

One tip that you would give to someone who is coming to Sweat Fixx for the first time?

Don’t be afraid to try it. We all have limitations. Be open and honest about them. The instructors will get you through it. It took me years to get back into a routine. I am lucky enough to have friends that encouraged me to try it.

Anything else you’d like to add?

I am hooked on Sculpt and Grit. And I love the flexibility of the virtual classes! I do it from the privacy of my home. I often need something to hold on to so I don’t fall In fact, I wrote this from my vacation in New Hampshire right after finishing a workout.