Arrichion Hot Yoga + Circuit Training

It is rare being able to say any particular fitness studio is truly unique. Arrichion in SouthEnd Charlotte may actually be able to make that claim. Their signature class, Tiger’s Eye, Combines 22 minutes of blazing hot yoga with 22 minutes of strength training circuit work. Arrichion is legitimately an experience that is hard to compare to - and that is a genuinely great thing.

Offering over nine variations of their classes, you can dive into a 45 minute intense hot yoga session in “Black Opal” or stick strictly to a strength training session with the “Warrior” class. Today, I had the privilege of taking “Tiger’s Eye” which gets the best of both worlds - half circuit and half HOT yoga flow. Whatever you choose, if this is your first time, make sure you get there 30 minutes early to fill out the paperwork.

I need to take a moment to just explain to you how hot this hot yoga is. The state of the art heating system in the yoga studio heats up quicker and hotter than you would believe. I didn’t bring a thermometer with me, but this has got to be one of the hottest studios in town. As you probably know if you have been to our website before, my boyfriend is the cameraman on all of our #sweatdates. I guess I forgot to warn him that this was going to be hot. Although I didn’t get any pictures, you will just need to take my word, he was DRENCHED just by sitting and filming for 15 minutes! Be prepared for this and wear as few clothes as legally / socially fitting.

Today we started with the hot yoga portion of the duo, although I could see myself appreciating ending with hot yoga and getting deeper into that stretch. Savasana would truly be savasana if you take class in this order. Starting with yoga was excellent though for warming up everything for the circuit portion of class. Arrichion Hot Yoga is a non traditional, intense, 22 minutes that includes core work, stretching and a flow series. Keeping your shoes and socks next to your mat, once you wrap up yoga you make the quick and sweaty transition to the circuit training room.

(Watch the workout video below to see a sample of "Tiger's Eye)

While it is significantly cooler in this next room, you will be equally as sweaty with the amount of work you are putting in. There were SO MANY different stations setup for you to make your way around the room to each of them. It is setup as follow the leader until you have completed your 22 minutes and class is done. I did such a bad job paying attention because my A.D.D. was off the wall - I honestly could not tell you if we were at each station for 20 seconds or 2 minutes. For the sake of my sanity, let's just say we were at each station for 30 seconds. You literally have no time to get bored of what you are doing. If you are new like me, watch the people doing the exercise in front of you so you know what to do. Transitions between circuits are FAST. Clay, our coach for the strength part, would shout out “10 SECONDS!” as each circuit timing was coming to an end. He was there walking around to assist and guide if anyone needed it. I can say I have never done a circuit this big, this fast, and this intense before.

Another random and possibly totally irrelevant piece of information for you; This was the first class that included yoga where I noticed a decent population of guys. Women usually outnumber men in group fitness, but this was different. I think it should really should speak to the fact that just because this has yoga does not mean this is a light workout. This is intense and a more athletically geared yoga that you are going to feel during and after class, regardless of your gender.

Arrichion is a great and unique spot to workout, offering a little (a lot) of something for everyone. While I have only been able to try Tiger’s Eye, I can guarantee I will be back for a little hot pilates (Krystallos) and some deep stretch (Diamond) or checking out their MMA Yoga and Sparta workouts. Who WOULDN’T want to try a workout called Sparta? You know you will be a badass just showing up for it. The diversity in what the studio offers will keep your muscles well rounded to have you coming back for more. You will not be bored. You will not have time to even experience those mental workout “walls” where you think “how much longer?” You’ll be sweaty and sore in the best way possible. I promise.

P.S. It’s in the same block as Wooden Robot Brewery - so if that’s your thing - BONUS!

Visit the Arrichion Website HERE

Classes Offered TOPAZ - Fundamental hot yoga series. Improve balance, strengthen, and increase flexibility. Recommended for beginners. KRYSTALLOS - Core strengthening series. Hot Pilates. BLOODSTONE - A challenging flow/vinyasa class, great strengthening and endurance workout. Practiced to music. DIAMOND - Slow, deep stretch flow with limited instruction, practiced to music in a (LED) candlelit room. BLACK OPALA - challenging & upbeat flow/vinyasa class, practiced to fun music with advanced poses. TIGER’S EYE - Get the best of both worlds. Half circuit training and half hot yoga flow sequence. WARRIOR - 45 minute of circuit training regimen. Challenging workout. SPARTA - Olympic lifts, body weight exercises, plyometrics, and endurance challenges. MMA YOGA - 45 minute of high intensity yoga with weights, incorporating techniques from mixed martial arts training.