Heavy Hitter SPENGA Hits Montrose

SPENGA Houston

Montrose has a new fitness studio in town, and I recently checked it out. SPENGA is a 20/20/20 (min) mix of spin, strength and yoga rolled into a 60-minute class.

SPENGA has been open for 5 weeks, and is located at 243 Westheimer, in the heart of the Montrose neighborhood. The classes are 24 people max and it’s broken down into 3 parts: Spin (where you try to get to your “sweet spot” on the monitor), Strength (TRX, bosu balls, free weights, etc.) and Yoga (which also serves as your flexibility/stretching aspect).

SPENGA is a franchise across the nation that started about two years ago and the owner of the Montrose studio, James, has lived in Houston on and off for 20 years and has an intense passion for health and fitness. He owns three studios (Montrose, plus one coming in Bellaire and the Heights). 

My girl Roz, who I’ve known for years is the head instructor at the Montrose studio, and I know how much intensity she puts into her work, so Houston fitness fans can get excited about this place.

Here’s the nitty gritty from my experience and what I liked/didn’t like:

My class: Tuesday, 9:30a class with Instructor Kim (she was great) 

SPENGA courtesy photo

Cost: $34 drop-in rate, which is quite pricey, however, they have a current special called the SPENGA test-drive, where you get your first month of unlimited classes for $139. ALSO – they have a money back guarantee – try this Houston fitness studio for 30 days and if you don’t like it/see the start of some strong results, they’ll give you your money back. What. Do. You. Have. To. Lose?

On the spin bikes: It was hard to understand the zones, so I think it’ll take a few classes to maximize your potential and output. Both Andrea and I messed that part up, though it didn’t affect our workout (and we are both blonde, so that could have been part of it).

On the strength floor: This isn’t a vanity thing, but there aren’t any mirrors on the strength floor, and I’m used to checking my form when lifting. Not a deal breaker, but I’m a big advocate of knowing your trainers and letting them know your limitations or ways they can help you have an effective workout. After countless orthopedic surgeries, my form is probably more important than most, so mirrors come in handy. They do have monitors above the stations, so it’s easy to mimic the form of the on-screen trainer.

SPENGA Montrose Fitness Moto

Also on the strength floor, I like how they have a “survivor exercise,” when you get burnt out or need a break from the current exercise. In my class it was body weight squats, meant to keep your body moving.

I’m also used to a circuit of 3-5 individual exercises and then repeat each set 2-4 times, but here you did the same movement (i.e. hammer curls) in 3-4 sets before moving to the next exercise. Part of an effective workout routine in my opinion is changing up how you do things so you don’t get burnt out or plateau, so this was a welcome (and super tough) change.

Yoga: I’ve often said I need to incorporate yoga in my workout regime, but I don’t love it enough to sign up for an entirely new membership/gym or to spend an hour dedicated to it (not that it would hurt me by any means). This Montrose gym adds a quick 20-minute yoga block to end your 60-minute class

Are they on Class Pass? No

You love Orangetheory, isn’t it the same? No, not really. For those who don’t like to run (although OTF is running or walking during the tread block), SPENGA is a great option since the cardio portion is on a spin bike. I’m personally not a huge fan of spin classes, but knowing you have 20-minutes to go all out and then move on to the next section helps. I also find OTF a bit more intense, which for the most part, that’s what I need. Again, the added yoga portion to this workout is key. I get that yoga is still a “workout,” but if you personally don’t count yoga as a workout, then SPENGA is more like a 40-minute class. Again, different strokes for different folks. Over the two years I’ve done OTF, various people have thought the running or rower wasn’t their thing (maybe it was too hard on their knees or hips), and SPENGA eliminates that. SPENGA (just like OTF) sends a workout summary to your email, which I love. I love seeing numbers on most things as it’s added proof it was an effective workout and use of my time.

Will you go again? This was only my first class, but I plan to incorporate SPENGA Houston into my workouts more. I also love working out with friends (it’s a win-win to spend time with them and catch up while simultaneously getting your workout in), so I can see doing this with a few people.

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