Been a minute, no? Vacation and general life business took over but hey, what's up, hello I'm BACK.
Did you hear that championship football game is going to be in the Bay Area? Super Bowl or whatever? TRUE STORY. And while I'm not at all up on my football (I care more about what Tom Brady and Gisele eat than how he plays - and I realize he's not even in the big game), I am up on my San Francisco.
The city is practically already shut down for all things Super Bowl festivities. Traffic is at an all time migraine level high. They closed the Embarcadero. I didn't even know they could do that.
Hashtag SEND HELP.
Thus, this is the first in a short series of posts around San Francisco. My dear friend Cassie and I will be sharing some local secrets on what to do, where to sweat and what to eat and drink while you're in town.
In The Series from Cassie:
- The Ultimate Guide to San Francisco - Logistics (read this before you do anything while in town)
- The Ultimate Guide to San Francisco - Eats + Drinks (read this before you consume anything while in town)
I know a lot about a little, but I know sweat. Especially in this city.
What To Know Before You Sweat
- Bring layers. A tank. Long sleeve. Vest. Wind-breaker. The fog can roll in quickly and temperatures drop drastically.
- HILLS. It's extremely rare (and if you've done this please let me in on your secret) to find more than 5 miles of flat ground in SF. Seriously. Get ready for some hill training.
- Speaking of - the Golden Gate Bridge? A HUGE HILL. It goes up, then down, then up, then down again. You've been warned.
- Classes don't fill up nearly as fast as they do in other cities but for highly sought after boutique classes (SoulCycle, Barry's Bootcamp, BodyRok, Pilates ProWorks, etc - book ahead).
- Biking across the bridge to Marin County? Go early - the less-experienced "cyclists" head out around 11am and create quite the bottle-neck on the bridge. Get over it early to avoid that. And get to the front of the line at Equator Coffee.
Boutique Classes
- SoulCycle - Clearly my favorite workout. There are 3 SF studios (Union Street, SOMA, Castro), 1 in Marin Country and 1 in Palo Alto (closest to where the Super Bowl will be held). It's a great workout, you meet great people, and you dance on a bike that goes no where in a dark room lit by candles. Sign-ups open at 12pm Monday for next consecutive 7 days (Tuesday - Monday) - and popular classes fill up fast. Shoes and water are available at the studio.
- Barry's Bootcamp - They don't call it "the hardest workout in the world" for nothing. Rumor (and FitBit metrics) has it that you can burn up to 1,000 calories in an hour long class. The classes are broken down daily by what part of the body you focus on (Arms + Abs, Butt + Legs, Chest Back + Abs, Abs, Full Body) so be sure to book accordingly. Classes can be booked 7 days in advance at 12pm local time. 2 locations in SF : SOMA and Marina. Bonus: Barry's Fuel Bar makes the best smoothies in town (I love the Blueberry Cobbler and the Teddy Graham!)
- Bar Method - Looking for a killer workout that won't leave you drenched before brunch? The Bar Method actually started in San Francisco. It's a 60-minute class of tucking, pulsing and tiny movements that will leave you sore the next day. Offered in Mixed Level, Level 2 and Bar Move (a faster paced class designed to keep your heart-rate up!). Locations in the Financial District and the Marina.
- Core40 - Pilates on crack. This 40-minute workout on the Megaformer (Lagree Fitness method) will have your muscles at exhaustion as you burn out each one before heading on to the next. Instructors are motivating, form is a top priority and you'll never again not cringe when you hear the word "French Twist" again after taking class. Locations in Nob Hill, Soma, Lower Pac Heights, Noe Valley. Also a spin option or a sculpt/spin combo class.
Yoga
- Baptiste Yoga SF- San Francisco's newest (and only!) Baptise yoga studio opened a couple of months back in the Presidio. It's a gorgeous space featuring a power vinyasa flow taught on the Baron Baptiste principles. Keep your eye out - you never know when Baron himself will pop in to teach (or take!) class.
- Yoga Flow - A local's go-to for a great power vinyasa flow - 60 and 75 minutes in length, heated or not. You can book online, but I'd still get there early to secure a good spot. Located in the Marina and Ocean Beach.
- Ritual Yoga - Think of it as a full-service spa experience - only it's hot yoga. Practice is to the beat of the music (hip-hop, Beyonce, etc) and the studio is beautiful. It's like the SoulCycle. Of Yoga. A must visit.
- CorePower Yoga- CorePower offers both a heated power flow and Sculpt - a heated power flow to upbeat music with weights. You'll leave drenched and feeing on top of the world. Bonus: lululemon athletica, Spiritual Gangster and a slew of other brands available for purchase.
Running
- Marina Boulevard to Crissy Field to the Golden Gate Bridge - a great (flat!) route filled with views of Marin, Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge. Stop at the Warming Hut for a latte or at Dynamo Donuts by the harbor to pick up a post-run treat.
- Embarcadero to AT&T Park - another flat run that takes you along the waterfront, past the Ferry building (stop for breakfast on Saturday morning at the Farmer's Market!) and to the home of the 2010, 2012 and 2014 World Series Champions.
- Baker Beach Trail Run - from the paved roads to the dirt paths of the Presidio, down to Baker Beach (careful, theres nude areas!) and up the dreaded Sand Ladder and challenging but oh-so-worth-it loop
Did I include your favorites? Miss anything? TELL ME WHAT YOU LIKE.