Fitness Friday: Getting to know AIR® Charlotte

I recently sat down to talk to Kerri Flanigan, owner and trainer of AIR® Charlotte. See what she has to say about one of the newest fitness studios in Charlotte!

You obviously have a passion for AIR® because you took it over in Charlotte. What is it about AIR® that you love and what led you to owning the AIR® Charlotte Studio?
So many things! I grew up as an athlete, and gradually found that I needed to work more flexibility and smaller muscle strengthening into my routine for a better balance. Gym/studio memberships can be expensive, and many of them only focus on one thing (ie. yoga, crossfit, etc) which means you need several different memberships or class packs to get that balance. AIR® encompasses strength, cardio, flexibility, core, and so much more into a 50 minute workout. Plus we now host a variety of classes making it a one stop shop, literally flipping your workout routine upside down.

How does AIR® differ from other workouts you’ve done in the past?
AIR® incorporates elements of many different workouts, like pilates, barre and yoga and combines it with high intensity interval training, making it an all around full body workout boosting your heart rate (in a low impact way) while strengthening, lengthening and toning. AIR challenges your body even further by elevating the exercises, like inverted crunches, or elevated planks, and furthermore makes you feel like a kid again, so you can enjoy your workout.

What can someone expect as far as toning and strength from AIR® ? And what about Cardio??
This is a full body workout, so clients can expect definition through the arms, abs and legs, and the cardio will help clients lose inches around the waist as well for an all around tighter, more toned physique. The most consistent feedback we hear from clients is shoulder and core definition, as well as inches lost around the mid section.

For someone totally new to AIR®, tell them what to expect on their first class. I think some people may be afraid of the silks and tricks….help them to feel more comfortable with attending their first class.
It’s important for clients to know that this is a fitness class. They can expect to sweat, shake, flip upside at least once (optional) and walk away with limbs feeling like jello, and wanting more, even in our AIR® Foundation classes. Class starts with a brief introduction and warm up stretch followed by some core and plank work. Classes will vary per instructor, but every class will incorporate cardio, strength and barre exercises and a lot of core. We encourage all new clients to arrive 15 minutes early for their first class. The instructor takes some time to walk new clients through basic exercises and motions, which really helps them feel more comfortable once class starts. We have a very welcoming community, and it’s important for our potential clients to keep in mind we are still new, so they are bound to be next to another new client in our AIR® Foundation classes.

I love the planks you do at AIR® with your feet in the silks. It’s such a great core toner. What is about this technique that works so well?
Elevated planks, with your feet on a bench for example, force you to use additional core muscles and puts more weight on your upper body as well. So it’s a lot more challenging, but then combine an elevated plank with the sway of a hammock, and you are using even more muscles to simply steady your legs. We offer several different modifications, and ensure proper form and alignment so clients aren’t hurting themselves, but it’s something they can work up to. We call it “full AIR® plank”.

How may times a week should someone go to see results from AIR®?
We recommend 3-4 classes per week for a month to start seeing results. But trust me, you’ll feel it after the first class.

What other types of classes do you offer besides the standard AIR® Foundation class?
We recommend starting with 2-3 AIR® Foundation classes, before moving to the regular AIR®. We’ve added additional classes like AIR Restore, which is more of a yoga, deep stretch, restorative AIR® class, as well as Pilates Pro and Barre Strength which don’t use the hammocks, so clients can be working out everyday at our studio with a nice balance of classes.

I’ve heard you just completed a 30 day Challenge at AIR®. How did it go?? What were the results for your clients??
The #30daychallenge was a huge success! Watching our clients stay motivated and determined was very rewarding. They were rearranging their normal day to make sure they fit in their AIR® class, which is what it’s all about. A lifestyle change. But hear it for yourself!

Here are a few testimonials:
“I completed the 30 day challenge and it definitely was a challenge, but a fun one! I finished stronger and more motivated than I was before!”
-Amanda Jordan

“The 30 day challenge was just what I needed to create healthier habits in 2015. I feel stronger and better about myself for having accomplished it. AIR® Charlotte makes working out fun and the staff are encouraging and positive!”
-Katie Jones

“I love working out at AIR® . It’s a challenging, but fun work out and when they started the 30 day challenge I knew I had to do it. Because who doesn’t love a challenge? I’ve noticed my upper body has gained a lot of strength and my core is so much stronger. Doing the challenge had me try out different classes and instructors and you get a great work out from each and every one of them!”
-Malisa Praseuth

“Finding AIR® Charlotte was exactly what I needed. I’ve always been an active person but I’ve struggled to find classes that I didn’t easily get bored with. AIR® is challenging, fun and always mixes things up! Best of all, I quickly saw results and have never felt stronger!”
– Anna Watson

What other fun things to you have going on at AIR®?
We offer customizable private events, for birthdays, bachelorettes, corporate team building, you name it! Just contact us for available dates/times.
We also run monthly workshops, which vary from Kids classes to advanced AIR® for those clients looking to deepen their practice, to teacher training programs! Just checkout our schedule under Workshops tab.

One last question. Do you have many men attend AIR®?
Our male membership base is definitely smaller, but once they try it they realize what a workout it is, and the benefits they see and feel keep them coming back. It’s a lot of body weight exercises like push ups and pull ups, with the added benefit of flexibility and core strengthening. A great compliment to running, or a regular weight lifting routine.

CSP readers get the first class for $1 with promo code AIRCHARLOTTE (no expiration date on this one but use it only once.).

AIR Charlotte
1043-C Providence Road
(same shopping center as Fancy Pants & Splurge)
704-249-6757
airfitnow.com
Sign up for classes here.
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