My classes were born from a few simple ideas.
As a college swimmer, I really loved the team training we did at the old Armory Fieldhouse and Nippert Stadium. We called these “dryland” workouts. They were a mix of calisthenics, running, and med ball drills. This training was hard, but it was also fun and I was in the best shape of my life.
After swimming ended, the contrast between training with my teammates vs on my own at the gym really highlighted what a special thing it was to have that experience.
I thought if more people had that when they worked out that they would be far more motivated to work hard and stick with it.
Years later as a trainer I learned more about circuit training classes, and while I liked the overall idea, I thought that the model could be improved.
Instead of just going for a high heart rate and trying to burn calories, working on building strength, muscle, mobility, and coordination.
Those were key areas that weren’t getting addressed and they go right out the window if you just chase a high heart rate for its own sake.
In the absence of proper strength training, everyone loses muscle, strength, and power every year, and those are priorities that often get overlooked.
Instead of changing all the movements all of the time and never getting better at them or getting stronger, allowing more frequent practice of the main exercises and getting variety through the secondary ones.
Allowing recovery within the workout. You can’t sustain an all-out effort for thirty or even fifteen minutes.
Within each circuit you do two big engine exercises (an upper body and a lower body), a secondary that’s a little easier, and then a fourth that allows your heart rate to come back down.
Controlling the lifts and following the path of most resistance.
Almost everyone is in a hurry to lift the weights or do the reps, and then they lower it quickly. That makes things easier and it doesn’t give you much to show for your efforts.
I fixed that by adding what we call “the fun round” twice per week. That’s when we do 90 second efforts and focus on controlling the lowering part of the movements for at least three to five seconds.
This is a my way of taking the best coaching I can provide, making it available to more people, and creating that awesome team atmosphere that we had back in the day at U.C.
I’m also extremely proud of the culture in my classes and I have to share credit for that with my clients. Everyone is friendly and supportive of one another. If you show up no one will be too cool to talk to you and if you have any questions (doing anything new can be a lot to take in), they’ll be glad to help.
When?
6:00 – 6:45 am and 8:00 – 8:45 am Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
What if I can’t make those times?
I’m now offering online training. You can do all online or mix that with in-person training.
Where?
Aikido of Cincinnati. It’s the middle space of the Kennedy Heights Cultural Center at 6620 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati OH 45213.
How much?
From October 2nd to 27th you can try my in person classes (3x/week), online training, or a combination of the two for $85! That’s 25% off!
$85 per month to train 2x per week
$115 per month to train 3x per week
$115 per month for online training or a mix of in-person and online
So, if you’re ready contact me about trying a class for free!
Email: 513fit@gmail.com
Looking forward to seeing you soon
Charlie Levine
Owner, 513FIT
513fit@gmail.com
If you’re curious about our training space, follow the link for more about the martial art and Aikido of Cincinnati.
