Feel the burn
Heights-area studio lights a fire for fitness-minded Houstonians
They say summer bodies are made in the winter, but Justine Vandenbrink is determined to help Houstonians keep fit year-round.
Actually, as the owners of Fyre Fitness, Justine and her husband, Justin, are focused on getting their clients LIT: Lagree Intensity Training. The exercise method — which is popular with Houston Rockets and Texans players, along with many Hollywood celebrities — targets slow twitch muscle fibers through low-impact, high-intensity workouts. The method concentrates on resistance-based strength training and combines elements of flexibility, range of motion, endurance, and cardio.
"Our method differs slightly from most studios, and our trainers spend a lot of time carefully planning their routines to ensure maximum effort and efficiency," says Justine, who is a Lagree certified trainer and holds a bachelors in biology. "We pride ourselves on serving up our own version of Lagree, which adds a little more cardio and ups the intensity in a safe manner without compromising form, which is why we refer to it as LIT."
Think of it as Crossfit-level strength training and intensity without the risk of injury or joint damage. The result is a 45-minute, complete and efficient full-body workout that delivers mega results.
Results — that's a key word for the Vandenbrinks.
"Anyone who tries this workout is stunned by how quickly they achieve results," says Justin. "And once they see those results, it becomes addictive."
Another keyword for the Vandenbrinks is "mega." The Lagree method uses machines called Megaformers, and Fyre Fitness is the first Lagree studio in Texas to have the latest generation, the Megaformer M3K+. For those experienced with Lagree, this newer version is designed with "Supra" handles and additional railings, which allow for quicker transitions, target additional muscle groups, and make the workout more comfortable for the wrists.
Method and machines aren't the only things that set Fyre Fitness apart from the rest. It's also the only Lagree studio in Houston offering a separate, private training room for those interested in one-on-one instruction. The large studio space is unusual for Lagree studios as well, and aims to make men feel as comfortable taking fitness classes as women traditionally have been.
Chad Ott, one of the lead male instructors, has seen results in his clients in as little as two weeks with just two to three sessions per week.
"One of my clients in particular was very skeptical about the workout at first," he admits. "But in about two weeks, she started to see a significant increase in muscle tone, especially in her core, which is a trouble spot for most people. She has two kids and says she's in the best shape of her life right now. She loves the workout because she's able to get serious results without a serious time commitment."
Justine herself had been practicing the Lagree method for nearly a decade when she decided to leave a successful career in oil and gas to pursue her passion for fitness. The results she experienced were not just physical but also mental, completely changing her outlook on life.
"I realized I was capable of so much more than I imagined," she says. "My mission is to bring Lagree to more people, so they too can realize their potential. When I have a client come up to me after class and tell me they are astonished that they're already seeing results, and that friends and family are even noticing the changes, it gives me life. To help people find the strength they never knew they had — that's everything."
Feeling a little intimidated? You shouldn't be. Fyre Fitness has classes that are suitable for all levels, and the instructors are well-trained in maximizing confidence in addition to muscle tone and core strength. First-time visitors can get a discount on single classes and packages, as well as two weeks of unlimited visits for a special reduced price. You truly have no excuse not to get LIT.
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Fyre Fitness is located at 300 N. Loop, Ste. 150, 77008. For more information or to book classes, visit the website or call 713-826-4469.
