Shaping Downtown Austin’s Fitness Scene: An Interview with [solidcore] Studio’s COO Alyssa Shaw
● Flexing Muscle Fibers – Everything You Need To Know about [solidcore]’s fitness philosophy
● Fitness Classes for Everyone – How [solidcore] serves the 2nd Street District Community
● Flipping Failure on Its Head – [solidcore]’s “Fail with Us” campaign
● Conclusion: What can 2nd Street District patrons and Austin locals look forward to at [solidcore]?
Physical fitness is about so much more than getting your body in tip-top shape for summer. It's about developing strength in body and mind as well as pushing yourself to take on new challenges. One place where you can feel confident about growing into a fitter, healthier, and improved version of yourself is [solidcore], one of the 2nd Street District’s go-to fitness spots. Above all else, the [solidcore] team prioritizes affordable fitness classes where you can meet fellow 2nd Streeters embarking on a common journey of self-improvement.
We caught up with [solidcore]’s Chief Operating Officer, Alyssa Shaw to discuss the finer points of [solidcore]’s fitness philosophy, its unique Pilates-inspired classes, and how the fitness studio plans to celebrate diversity within the 2nd Street District community.
Flexing Muscle Fibers – Everything You Need To Know about [solidcore]’s fitness philosophy
If there’s one thing the 2nd Street District community knows all too well, it’s that a full-body workout holds plenty of benefits. From improving your mobility and stability to achieving a toned look, a fifty-minute strength training workout class will get your mind and body feeling fantastic. Alyssa Shaw, COO of [solidcore], knows these things better than anyone, so we took the opportunity to pick her brain on all things fitness as well as how she ended up joining the [solidcore] team.
Having started her career in retail, Alyssa joined the [solidcore] team because of her personal passion for health and wellness. “I fell in love with the workout and community immediately,” she explains, “working alongside this incredible team is a dream come true.” When Alyssa decided to take her experience “scaling high growth brands across the US” to [solidcore], the rest was history.
But it was [solidcore]’s unique approach to fitness that made all the difference to Alyssa. Each class, Alyssa explains, consists of a “50-minute, full-body, strength-training workout done on a Pilates-inspired reformer.” The secret ingredient that makes [solidcore] stand out amongst its peers is the “slow and controlled movements targeting the core, lower and upper body.” The [solidcore] team believes that taking the opposite approach to maxing out your weights leads to greater health benefits over time.
“I fell in love with the workout and community immediately”
Every [solidcore] class focuses on activating your slow-twitch muscle fibers – the key to building a stronger body. “Muscles become stronger,” Alyssa explains, “by progressively increasing resistance over time on our Pilates-inspired reformer.” Because “your slow-twitch muscle fibers are fatigue-resistant and used for activities that require endurance,” you spend most of your time in every [solidcore] class “overloading and breaking down slow-twitch muscle fibers.” To do this, [solidcore] exercises focus on slowing down your compound movements and emphasizing mindfulness to produce “long, lean, sculpted muscles.” Thanks to this method, [solidcore]’s workouts are “designed to be twice as effective as traditional workouts.”
Fitness Classes for Everyone – How [solidcore] serves the 2nd Street District Community
If the idea of breaking down muscle fibers feels overwhelming to you, don’t be afraid. [solidcore]’s elevated brand of fitness hinges on an unwavering commitment to customer service and client mentorship for every fitness level. In fact, the best thing about [solidcore] is the diversity of classes offered. Alyssa explains that while the most popular class is [solidcore]’s standard 50-minute class, they now offer a new starter50 class format that is “meant for new clients or those wanting something slower-paced.” The [solidcore] team understands the need for beginners to ease into a new fitness regimen.
“Muscles become stronger by progressively increasing resistance over time on our Pilates-inspired reformer.”
But the starter50 class is by no means limited to clients new to [solidcore]. It’s also perfect for those “revisiting class after an injury” or those feeling “they need a refresher to ease back into the workout.” The starter50 class’s main goal is to ensure “clients feel confident heading into a standard class with the knowledge to embrace the challenge.” In other words, [solidcore] has something for everyone, whether you’re a beginner to the fitness lifestyle, recovering from an injury, or a seasoned pro looking to take your training to the next level.
After you’ve picked up the basics and moved on to more advanced classes, you will rely on your [solidcore] instructor’s advice and encouragement to reach your goals. At the beginning of every class, Alyssa says, each instructor will always ask clients if they have any injuries so they can keep a close eye on how to modify for their needs. For pregnant clients, coaches will check “to see if they are okay with hand modifications to help with form.” Every [solidcore] class is distinguished by the instructor’s ability to pay extra special attention to the needs and goals of customers like you.
Whether you’re just getting back into fitness after a personal injury or you want to increase your mobility while you’re carrying to term, the [solidcore] team is here for you. Even if you have no special condition, the [solidcore] coaches will do their utmost to ensure you have the best class experience. “Coaches will recommend different spring loads,” Alyssa explains,” to accommodate new, intermediate, and advanced clients based on the number of classes they have taken.” This attention to detail has made [solidcore] a shining example of the merits of customer service in the 2nd Street District community.
Flipping failure on its head – [solidcore] “Fail with Us” campaign
When we asked Alyssa about the studio being in the heart of the vibrant 2nd Street District, she had many glowing things to say. "Our studio fits perfectly with 2nd Street District’s bustling neighborhood scene”. Providing clients with flexibility and allowing them to seamlessly weave workouts into their schedule while still enjoying the amenities of the 2nd Street District – whether it's “grabbing a coffee, meeting friends, or running errands before or after class.”
[solidcore]’s commitment to holistic wellness goes hand in hand with its community integration, extending beyond physical activity. According to Alyssa, “Nutrition and recovery are just as important as showing up for the workout.” [solidcore]’s team believes in the importance of nutrition so strongly that the fitness studio has recently partnered with Daily Harvest. Through this collaboration, all members can “enjoy more sustainably grown, organic fruits and vegetables every day to bring a perfect balance of movement and nutrition.” What’s more, by becoming a part of the Core Collective – [solidcore]’s perks program – members not only gain access to Daily Harvest’s fruit-and veggie-packed meal plans, but also unlock exclusive discounts from “six premium partners”.
“Nutrition and recovery are just as important as showing up for the workout.”
As for helping clients stay motivated and crush their 2024 fitness goals, Alyssa shared with us a brand new campaign that [solidcore] just launched called “Fail With Us.” In contrast to other fitness studios, [solidcore]’s Fail with Us campaign is “all about flipping failure on its head and encouraging clients to show up as their strongest, best selves, even if that means failing in class.”
The folks at [solidcore] encourage clients to embrace pain as a necessary step toward full self-development. “Leaning into failure,” Alyssa says, “should be the motivation every time someone comes to class.” Viewing failure this way only leads to “growing physically and mentally through the workout.” At [solidcore], pushing yourself to failure “means you are doing it right – from getting your muscles to second-stage muscle failure to…pushing yourself to do one repetition.” According to the [solidcore] philosophy, the best way to grow physically and mentally is to push your body to its utmost limits. At [solidcore], what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.
Conclusion: What can 2nd Street District patrons and Austin locals look forward to at [solidcore]?
With spring in full bloom and summer just around the corner, [solidcore] is actively participating in several community events. 2nd Streeters and Austinites can celebrate AAPI month, happening now in May, and look forward to pride in June where [solidcore] offers benefit classes, social spotlight series and various in-studio components. These events demonstrate [solidcore]’s commitment to inclusivity but also provide opportunities for the community to come together and celebrate diversity. Suffice it to say, [solidcore]’s distinct brand of fitness, along with its welcoming embrace of clients at every stage of their fitness journey, ensures that [solidcore] will continue to remain a pillar of the 2nd Street District community for years to come.
Stop by to see how Alyssa and the [solidcore] team are inspiring individuals to unlock their full potential – one slow, controlled movement at a time.
[solidcore] is located at 204 Colorado St, Austin, TX 78701 | (512) 900-4740.
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