Mountain's Edge, 693 K S. Broadway, Boulder, 303-579-5969,

Instructor: Joe Horwat, a certified Olympic sports performance coach through the Olympic Training Center, and a certified health and fitness specialist through the American College of Sports Medicine.

He has helped athletes win world championships, set world records and compete in the Olympics and X-Games.

What is the workout? A small group personal training class. Basically, Horwat takes what he does with professional athletes one-on-one in the gym and puts it into a group format to make it more affordable and have the social support of a class.

The class includes body weight exercises, functional/physical therapy exercises, sports performance, core and body weight exercises, plyometrics, weightlifting and Olympic-based movements.

The class usually starts with 10 to 20 minutes of "muscle activation" and then moves into bigger movements: three moves broken into circuits with a short rest or stretch in between. Horwat then builds on those exercises.

"The concept of this class is to bring you top-quality, systematic training techniques found in world-class personal training to a group atmosphere," Horwat writes.

The class is designed to "drastically" improve your performance, in sports and daily life.

He has been offering the class since November.


What's different: First, Horwat's certifications. How often does a regular person get to train with an Olympic coach? Second, his class has a systematic approach to it, so each individual class builds on itself, and each class in the six-week series builds on the last. His class also is highly focused on biomechanics and educating people on what exercises they should be doing for their specific sports or issues they have.

What does it cost? Sign up for a five-class package for $50 (Mountain's Edge members) or $60 (non-members). A one-time drop-in is $15/$17, but space is limited and most classes are full.

When: 1-2 p.m. Monday and Wednesday and 7-8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.

Level: Horwat calls it moderate to high intensity. I thought the class was very challenging, a nine on a 10-point scale. Yet Horwat sets up the class in a strategic, systematic way that slowly builds, until you are completely maxing out your muscles.

You don't have to be a member of the gym.

He says people of all levels can take the class. I think it might be pretty tough if you've never exercised before, but that's something you'd want to work out with him.

His class attracts a lot of outdoor athletes who don't usually work out in a club. About half of the participants don't have gym memberships.

What to prepare: Come 10 to 20 minutes early to warm up with some cardio. Wear athletic clothing and shoes, bring a water bottle and a yoga mat is optional (if you want your own). The rest is provided.

Muscles worked: Strong emphasis on core, postural muscles and balance and alignment throughout the entire body.

What I loved: Horwat is an absolute pro, and it shows. His attention to every student's alignment and movement is almost superhuman. I don't think I have ever felt safer and more supported in a group fitness class -- and that's saying something, because I have worked with some amazing instructors. Based on his clarity, communication, knowledge base, organization of class and calm yet inspiring demeanor, it's my opinion that this guy is among the best of the best.

As for the class, I can see how this system would bring on dramatic change in your body. It reminded me of a CrossFit class -- with box jumps, dead lifts, free weights and a circuit system -- yet more orderly than the CrossFit classes I've experienced. Instead of a sort of random assortment of exercises, this class is designed to be a six-week progression that builds. Even though this class is extremely challenging, it seems like it would be hard to hurt yourself, because of Horwat's attentiveness.

If you like CrossFit but you are looking for a slightly different spin, this class may be your new addiction.

What I didn't like: Are you kidding? This class is solid.

How I felt after the class: The thing that surprised me most about this class was how fast it whizzed by. It felt like it only lasted a few minutes. This is because of how Horwat broke up the class into manageable, non-intimidating chunks. I did things in this class I never thought my body could do, yet I never felt like I was pushed too far. The class rides precisely on your edge, which is where real change takes place.

The next day, I was sore from head to toe, especially in my glutes and shoulders. My muscles were sore enough that I needed a good stretching session first thing in the morning to be able to walk down the stairs.

-- Reported by Aimee Heckel.
