The series first launched back in March and I finally got to join in on the fun on April 11th with one of my favorite Boston trainers, Lauren Hefez. This is my recap from the first few sessions, spoiler alert: they’ve continued it through May and today was the first time outside (another recap to come).
In collaboration with some of Boston’s popular fitness trainers, the fairly new Ink Block in the South End has been hosting a shrINK @ Ink (get it??) series for free on Saturday mornings.
I missed the first few sessions and have yet to work out with Eliza and Meagan but I’m big fan of Lauren so a regular routine with her on Saturday morning is a-ok with me!
Ink Block Boston is a fairly new (dog friendly) residences complex that opened up in the South End – with a whole foods right next door!
I’ve already showed my fangirl for Lauren’s workouts and events. The girl has energy. She gets the class laughing and sweating. She’ll call you out – whether it’s to wish you a happy birthday, to say she’s glad you showed up, or that your left leg that your lifting is in fact your right. It’s one of those atmospheres where you’re reminded not to take yourself too seriously, to have fun and to laugh….while shaking in plank or jumping up and down.
One of the reasons why I love Lauren’s workouts is the focus on form. For the Abs series, she’ll pause the music so we’re all listening to make sure we really get the most out of the exercise. Most of the movements are familiar and the bonus of Lauren being a youtube instructor is being able to check out the workouts and movements on your own as well.
The first session I went to there was 1 guy, smack dab in the middle …and he was no shorty. The second time there were two. Most likely with their girlfriends. The one thing I noticed though – there were some older women in the class both times which I thought was great. It’s easy to get surrounded in the basic fitness groups so to be in a mix of those sweating it out is an added bonus.
Aside from running & spin I’ve been picking up a lot of pilates and barre style workouts…especially LH’s recently. (#sweatingforthewedding #bridesmaidduties) That said … it hasn’t gone unnoticed that she’s tricking me into push-ups and bridges.
High Energy. I’ve only been in Ink Block’s lobby as I have no business perusing the accommodations but the lobby is hip and swanky so I can only imagine.
I’d follow Lauren on Spotify. She has a mix of high energy jump & dance music along with some acoustic cool down songs. As I mentioned she paused the music for Abs but you hardly noticed as you were still running on the adrenaline from the beginning part of class.
First time I forgot a towel. Second time I didn’t. I forgot that it’s not just Pilates and that Lauren gets your heart rate going with jumping and moving. Which you can easily tell from any of her videos.
This is a pretty low marketed/sponsored event – mostly which comes from Ink Block who lets the space do the marketing for them. If the class continues to go will (which I full anticipate it only growing) there’s promise of bringing the class to the space’s roof deck. Yes please! The event is also suppose to be sponsored by Milk + Honey the spa within Whole Foods which is adjacent to the apartments. I didn’t see any sort of sign of the spa….really it should be Whole Food’s juice bar that co-sponsors, as right after class there’s a line of yoga mat toting girls ordering up smoothies and juices. (I’ve tried
If they take the series to the roof deck I’ll consider that a goodie bag & a giveaway! They did have some DRINKmaple waters. I know Ink Block has a gym….I think one of their branded towels would make for a good giveaway item….especially if it goes into summer time….#justsaying
There was a giveaway for a free class/session with Lauren for a winner and 15 friends at the Ink Block gym. After the initial pickme!pickme! I wondered if I had 15 friends to invite. Then I realized this is one of the workouts that I already tell all my friends…and friends of friends. And I already had LH teach a dance class as part of a bachelorette party. So the answer was most definitely yes. However none of that mattered as I didn’t win. #whompwhomp
I’ve brought new friends to Lauren’s events, I’ve gone with mutual friends and I’ve gone solo. Given that one of my best friends is our mutual friend, obviously that’s my preferred option. I’m pretty excited that we just signed up for the rest of May. We’re taking this #SweatingfortheWedding seriously. And yes, I did get her a shirt. Luckily for her MOH I did not get us matching ones.
So now that I’ve secured my spots (selfish, I know)… you should totally sign up
The workouts in green are part of the Nike Running Half Marathon Training plan, the workouts in black are things I added or swapped out. 
Adventures of W 