Level 1: Intro (Versaclimber) at Rise Nation BGC
After an exciting few months going through several indoor cycling studios in Manila, Singapore and Malaysia, I’ve been looking for a different cardio experience. After an introductory class on rowing with Saddle Row’s Finesse, I came across Rise Nation on my radar and boy, it looked interesting!
With a celebrity following and a promise of sweat in a short, 30-minute time frame with use of a Versaclimber, a machine I have never touched in my life, I knew right away that I haven’t done anything like it. When I found out that Jaspher, one of the great instructors I enjoyed from an effective Spin X HIIT workout at CycleHouse Manila, I knew I had to try it for myself.
What is Rise Nation?
Founded in 2015, Rise Nation is the brainchild of training and movement expert Jason Walsh. With it’s pioneering branch in Los Angeles, it’s famous for its celebrity following with the likes of Jennifer Aniston, Ashley Green, Mandy Moore and Hillary Duff. This highly effective 30-minute high-intensity interval training (HIIT) simulates a full body climbing experience using a Versaclimber with fun music and a group environment.
In September 2019, Rise Nation Philippines opened their pioneer branch in BGC, opening a whole new type of boutique fitness experience here in Metro Manila.
What is a Versaclimber?
The Versaclimber is a vertical climbing machine that engages the whole body from the arms, back, core, chest and legs, specifically the glutes, hamstrings, quads and calves. It’s pretty easy on the knees with its low impact functionality.
An interesting fact is that it’s believed to be basketball legend Lebron’s favorite workout machine!
What are the Rise Nation Philippines facilities like?
The studio noticeably has a more masculine energy than other similar boutique fitness experiences with its bachelor pad cement finish and black and yellow color palettes. Given that it’s a workout that LeBron likes, you can imagine how the space is more inviting to the men who feel a bit isolated in other boutique fitness experiences from yoga to indoor cycling that caters primarily to women (and arguably, gay men).
Their lockers add to my list of complicated locking mechanisms that I needed assistance with (right up there with FlyCycle in KL). Unfortunately, a whole row wasn’t working and they encouraged us to put our stuff on either the top or bottom layer. I realized as soon as the class started that people actually preferred to bring their bags inside the studio instead of leaving them in the lockers as the class set up allowed it.
While their shower and toilet area can be considered relatively small to what you expect to see in similar fitness experiences, it was very clean and had shampoo, body wash and the famous Dyson hair dryer which you can find anywhere from Electric Studio to Saddle Row. Small towels for the workout and big towels for the shower are also included in the class fees.
What is the difference between Rise Nation’s Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3?
The two main differences for the three levels are estimated feet climb and choreography with Level 1: Intro at 700ft to 2500ft, Level 2 : The Climb at 1500ft to 3000ft and Level 3 : Extreme at 2500ft to 6000ft. It’s important to remember that the level you choose doesn’t guarantee you’ll hit the numbers. Unlike a treadmill, the Versaclimber machine will stop when you stop so you can only go at a pace that your body can handle and avoid injury.
Because it’s such a new workout for me, I tried their Level 1 class and hit about 1500ft which is the middle of the Level 1 bracket and the minimum for Level 2. Within our class alone, someone hit 800ft while another hit 2900ft. No one else can see your progress except for you! Their BGC branch can accommodate up to 34 people with three rows. When I took the class, there were about 13 people all in all.
You can read the full description of each level on their website.
My Rise Nation Experience
To be honest, I was initially quite intimidated when I saw the 30-minute class time. For anyone who has been taking boutique fitness classes regularly, this often means the class is designed in such a way that you’ll be dead within the first 10 minutes. Let me tell you, for my first Rise Nation class, I wasn’t wrong.
I did think they did well with the 30-minute promise. It was a lot harder than I thought it would given that I had already worked up my stamina from indoor cycling, but this workout targeted more muscle groups and needed a different kind of coordination that my body just wasn’t used to. Before the class started, the front desk already warned us that it would feel a bit odd in the beginning. I didn’t understand what they meant at first but when we were setting up, I realized it was because the movement is not as intuitive for most people.
While it’s not new to me, the concept of crawling, walking or climbing in coordination with arms, given that these were part of the Parkour 101 Fundamentals that were taught at Muscle Up Fitness Gym, I can’t say that outside parkour I mindfully practice it. The instructor took the time to bring in all the first timers and walk us through how to both set up and the kinds of movements we should expect to do during the class.
My friend, Amina, who I dragged with me to this class is an avid rower who definitely also felt challenged and enjoyed her time there. Having just tried by first rowing class at Saddle Row Powerplant, it gave me some perspective on how the machines are different and the sensations that come with them.
The first few minutes were me trying to get comfortable with the movement on the Versaclimber – trying to find the right posture, coordinating my arms and hands and differentiating what it meant to be the different methods of climbing from the small, medium and large movements.
If you’ve done indoor cycling and rowing before, you’ll be momentarily tricked into thinking you know what you got yourself into, that is until you actually start moving your machine. It was a bit odd that I have to angle my body away from the middle bar blocking my view to see the instructor a bit better. Arguably, this is also because I chose a Versaclimber in the middle of the room.
The Level 1 : Intro
What I found endearing about this class was that having a visualization of a high rise landmark was integral to the session. Not only did the instructor give us goal numbers based on a height of Burj Khalifa, the Versaclimber itself had settings for different cultural landmarks such the Eiffel Tower and the Washington Monument. I personally think this part is important and a great way for people to be feel more than just hamsters on a wheel, a problem that is common among less engaging instructors on other similar workouts.
The ideal location of the handle bars should chest level and because I’m such a short person, I had to move them to the lowest setting! While it’s also tempting to strap on your shoes as tight as you can because the elevation might scare a few people, you should give your feet a little room to breathe as like me, you may lose a little circulation during the workout and have to readjust.
With a combination of long strides, small sprints and medium recovery and a matching playlist to boot, it’s not an easy workout. I had to consciously remind myself not to pull with arms and let my legs lead the way, a feat a little harder than you think.The pulsating lights party-like music and dynamic lighting can be a little overwhelming when you haven’t adjusted to the workout yet. I personally think that you need a couple more session to really get the most of the experience. I spent the middle part fumbling to follow the pace and the music and honestly only got a real feel of the workout towards the last 10 minutes.
When the class finished and they opened the windows at the back of the room with the view of the corporate towers behind me, I have to say that my lungs were gasping for air and thanking me for the ride.
Is it worth going to?
According to Men’s Health, it’s believed that it’s one of the most efficient boutique fitness activities currently out there with the typical Rise Nation class burns 22.3 calories per minute, while popular cycling, treadmill and rowing classes burn between 13 and 14 calories per minute. and definitely worth a try. I see why so many Hollywood celebrities and athletes add it to their fitness routine. For me, it’s definitely a viable indoor cycling or rowing alternative, and works out parts of your body that they would miss. I didn’t expect the ache on my thighs the next day, but they came like the ones you get from a great functional HIIT workout. Let me tell you, I definitely needed a Hot Yoga class after this.
The one thing that will probably be deterring me from coming back is really just their accessibility. Their pioneering branch at the High Street Corporate Plaza is quite walk from the BGC central area. While it is very near the C5 exit, making it a good distance for people hoping to catch their rides home at Market Market or people driving out through that exit, those hoping to catch a quick session before work or during a lunch break might find it a bit far, especially given that there are so many boutique fitness class options in BGC.
While I think their rates are pretty standard for the efficiency of the workout, for now they only have only branch where you can use them. Of course, for now it’s the only one of its kind in Metro Manila and this comparison is with other similar studios like indoor cycling and rowing wherein they often have branches in at least all the major business districts – BGC, Makati, Ortigas, which work best for people like me who don’t always know where their work will take them.
That being said, I definitely enjoyed the experience and would definitely recommend trying it for anyone who is curious if they are strong enough to climb monuments like the Eiffel Tower (minus the view). Looking forward to coming back, getting a real hold on that Versaclimber and controlling that machine better than it controlling me!
How do you book a class?
While they’re not available on ClassPass, they have Php 1500 for 5 classes in 14 days (php 300 / class) trial rate. Regular class rate range from Php 700 to Php 1000. You can purchases classes on their website here.
Rise Nation BGC
Address: Level 2, Tower 1, High Street South Corporate Plaza, 26th street corner 9th Avenue, BGC, Taguig.
Telephone number: +632 795 4256
Website: www.risenation.ph
Facebook: https://facebook.com/RNMANILABGC
Instagram: @risenationph
