Hot Pilates, Yoga craze hits Juniata Valley

STRODES MILLS — The sizzling world of Hot Pilates and Hot Yoga are a fitness phenomenon that’s taking the wellness world by storm.

Certified instructor Bria Gaumer, who has been teaching classes at the Body and Soul Community Center in Strodes Mills since 2018, said attendance in her classes has more than tripled since she started there.

“It’s exploded,” Gaumer said. “My first class might have had 8 to 10 students. It’s just gone bonkers. We get age ranges from students in their 70s to high school- and college-age.”

Now, on a typical Monday, she packs 60-plus into the community center’s Agility Room where temperatures can hit 95 degrees with 40 percent humidity.

Of course, with the heat turned up, sweating is the name of the game. That’s the difference between Hot Pilates and the traditional form.

Imagine combining Pilates’ core-strengthening, flexibility-enhancing power with a heated environment’s detoxifying, calorie-burning effects. The heat intensifies the workout, encouraging the body to work harder, burn more calories and achieve more noticeable results.

The heat also promotes detoxification, helping the body to flush out toxins through sweat. The workout provides a mental challenge, pushing participants to maintain focus and composure in a demanding environment

Hot Yoga is also a challenging form of yoga that replicates the conditions of Hot Pilates, resulting in considerable sweat. It’s also becoming popular not only around the Juniata Valley but around the globe as fitness enthusiasts find a wide array of benefits.

Gaumer started collaborating with the community center to teach classes after she and husband Ben moved to Mifflin County from Lewisberry, York County.

Over the years, she believes the classes have created more of a family feel at the center.

“It’s a really powerful thing; it’s hard to put into words,” Gaumer said. “It’s a fitness family. Everyone is struggling, but everyone is cheering everybody else on. They’re working to do their best, which is really the magic of it.”

“I think attendance keeps growing because students love it, and they bring their friends and families and then they fall in love with it,” Gaumer added. “There is no judgment and all fitness levels can do it.”

She tries to make the 60-minute session fun, with popular music and low-level lighting. Themed classes are also offered during the holidays with “Halloween Glow Class,” “Planksgiving” on Turkey Day and the Gaumers have dressed up as Mr. and Mrs. Claus at Christmas.

“We try to make it a really fun vibe,” she added. ‘We do crank the heat up. It’s not overwhelming, but it’s hot enough to get a good sweat.”

Hot Yoga is offered Mondays only at 6 p.m., with Hot Pilates right afterward at 7:15 p.m. Instructor Kaitlyn Snyder teaches the Friday Pilates class at 6pm.

Classes are $5 and no registration is necessary. They are also offered with community center memberships. A full schedule of classes is available online.

“You do what you can do,” Gaumer said. “You’re always creating that better version of yourself. The energy is what drives the class. Everyone comes in to get healthier.”

Pilates student Linzee Renninger, who recently lost 50 pounds on her fitness journey, attributes a big part of her weight loss to attending the classes. “Pilates not only has helped me lose weight physically but along the way has been great for my mental health. It’s you versus you for a solid hour pushing yourself mentally and physically and having Bria and Kaitlyn encouraging you the whole time.”

Gaumer said, “The first half of the class is all core and glute work. The second half of the class is more cardio, high-intensity interval training. You’re targeting the bigger muscle groups.”

For more information, visit www.bodyandsoulcc.com or find them on Facebook.