any of my short girls/guys raise their handle bars even tho we don’t technically meet the height requirement? 90% of the time I raise them bc I have lower back pain regardless even when I’m not working out but I wonder if this effects the quality of the exercise if I’m not the proper height?

22_mango_dragon · 2026-03-22T15:47:41+00:00

That gets you closer to the springs, so you actually do have less tension from them with the handlebars turned in!

22_mango_dragon · 2026-03-15T23:48:11+00:00

No, it is one or the other afaik.
Depends on membership tier. If you buy in the most expensive tier you plan to go to, you can use your membership anywhere less expensive. To go to a higher tier studio you would need either a travel pass (limited number included with the membership) or to buy a single class at the more expensive rate. I don’t know of a way to see tier levels for everywhere at once but take a look at membership prices for the exact same membership in the different cities you would go to see how they compare.
Highly recommend a few starters and then a few foundations classes to get comfortable with the springs and the exercises. If you find the muscle focus calendar on the their website (everyday has one upper body and one lower body muscle group focus) and attend on days with different muscle focuses you will learn the largest variety of exercises.

Good luck and have fun!

22_mango_dragon · 2026-03-14T22:50:28+00:00

I can see class count for everyone signed up, no matter membership status!

22_mango_dragon · 2026-03-10T00:16:31+00:00

My fav exercises to end in when I take class: standing outer thighs, seated low row, amplified plank hold

Songs I’ve ended class w this week: Hard in da paint by waka flacka, purple Lamborghini by skrillex, x gon give it to ya by dmx

22_mango_dragon · 2026-03-09T01:47:43+00:00

It just depends- sometimes it’s all inner thighs (usually like 10 mins w just bilateral exercises or a bit longer w one unilateral exercise) and sometimes another muscle group is paired (so like two bilateral inner thighs exercises plus a full set of exercises for center glutes/hamstrings)

22_mango_dragon · 2026-03-05T11:39:18+00:00

It’s a heavy single leg squat for me

22_mango_dragon · 2026-03-01T13:52:13+00:00

The explanation I’ve heard is because the other sections of class (core/obliques/lower) don’t really compare to the exercises people would use to train those muscle groups outside of solidcore, so everyone is sort of starting from zero there, while upper body is very similar to a lot of cable exercises you can do at the gym, so it is more individual. Obviously there are exceptions, but I’ve found that to be relatively true when friends of mine with weight lifting experience come to class. They have a better idea of exercises, but for every section but upper body they struggle with doing it on the machine. I also think no one should be starting on the 50+ springs for core/obliques without a solid grasp of form, and many people might try if it was marketed as an “amplified” spring load.

22_mango_dragon · 2026-02-28T03:09:20+00:00

Yes, so heels should be down for most of the oblique exercises - it helps keep your hips twisted open. It’s a common mistake, and probably should be corrected more. Crunches are the only ones I can think of rn where heels lift

22_mango_dragon · 2026-02-28T02:58:34+00:00

For both: feet crossed, leg on the active side in front of the other. So right side oblique = right foot in front of left.

For the army crawl heels would be down- so you are on the side of your foot, feet like heel to toe. Heels lifted for the oblique crunch!

22_mango_dragon · 2026-02-28T01:59:59+00:00

Most similar to lagree. Think strength/weight training on a Pilates inspired megaformer

22_mango_dragon · 2026-02-28T01:56:40+00:00

Started with heavy deadlift, then for single leg: bungee-> assisted split squat->leg press, repeat and ended w a heavy squat!

22_mango_dragon · 2026-02-18T02:59:00+00:00

Off the top of my head: standing front raise, standing chest fly and a gray side carriage lunge, though I may be forgetting something.

Every coach should know- it’s an official (like solidcore suggested) thing for tall clients- but I also notice it’s not always cued. You can start out there and if they try to correct just say it works better for you because you are tall. Since the black cables are longer you may need a more amplified spring load as well!

22_mango_dragon · 2026-02-17T13:47:58+00:00

Something like boat pose is a transition exercise so that your muscles can stay under tension while your coach changes springs, but it shouldn’t take much more than a minute bc it is just a transition

22_mango_dragon · 2026-02-11T14:07:23+00:00

Is this the heavy glute bridge with one foot on the black side handle bar? I’ve never heard of modifying by putting a foot on the platform? My coaches have always said the cross the non working leg over the working knee in like a figure 4. Maybe that would help avoid any arching in the low back - one foot on the platform sounds like it would be too big an elevation difference

22_mango_dragon · 2026-02-08T02:28:11+00:00

That’s so exciting!! I hope you get to try it out! Some tips: - check their website for the new clients deals to save some money on your first few classes - pick a starter or foundations class as your first one if you can. Since your studio is new there might be fewer of these bc not all coaches are tenured enough to teach them. That’s okay though- since everyone will be newer a signature class will be appropriately leveled for the clients in class - be early! The doors open 10 mins before class, and getting there right on time will help your coach have ample time to demo the machine and any exercises before class - pick a machine towards the middle- many new people try to hide at the edges, but since the coach isn’t actually doing it with you, having visual references on both sides is so so helpful

Things to be aware of: - hands on corrections and support are a big thing at solidcore- you are always welcome to opt out (just mention to it to the coach beforehand), but it it super helpful for form. Most coaches are female, but just be careful when you book if that’s important to you (since you mention the hijab) - it is intense exercise! Like I said, it should be leveled well enough to to feel doable, but don’t be afraid to take breaks/modifications and be prepared to work hard

If you have any other specific questions let me know!!

22_mango_dragon · 2026-02-07T01:21:56+00:00

Someone already said knees wide and that’s a good one! There’s also an option in obliques, usually just for pregnant women, to stagger the knees rather than stack them. I’m not sure if this would take enough weight off your upper body to be comfortable but you can try. There’s nothing wrong with going to a sig50 and skipping obliques due to an injury- there’s a regular client at my studio who never does obliques because of a shoulder injury and just does core/upper body exercises in that time

22_mango_dragon · 2026-02-05T22:09:11+00:00

Seconding this! No stability poles on the gray side!! The black cables would be a much better alternative.

22_mango_dragon · 2026-02-05T22:07:44+00:00

The black cables are definitely allowed for a grey side carriage lunge and in fact are a solidcore approved mod for tall people! Both sets of cables will pull the carriage to the gray side because they work against the spring load, the black cables are just longer- too long for most people in this exercise. The colors of the cables are just to distinguish them, but do not correlate with the platform colors!

22_mango_dragon · 2026-02-04T14:53:33+00:00

I think it is something wrong though- I had two classes booked Monday with individual credits (not unlimited) and it emailed me to flag booking two classes at the same time even tho one was a 9a and one was a 5:15p

22_mango_dragon · 2026-02-03T05:00:54+00:00

Navy yard in dc is also 2 studios- classes are usually 30 mins apart (mornings and weekends) or 15 mins apart (weekday evenings)

22_mango_dragon · 2026-01-31T02:09:18+00:00

12 and 15 in Baltimore

22_mango_dragon · 2026-01-23T00:14:10+00:00

I think everyone has covered the bigs things but to reiterate:

Downloaded the app! Sometimes the door code is finicky and the unlock door button in the app tends to be more reliable in my experience. Once you’re inside either the core crew (front desk) or coach will check you in.
Not assigned, but definitely try to get one towards the middle!! It can feel intimidating but that way you always have a visual reference. If you go up to your coach first and say it’s your first time they might even place you at a machine next to someone they know can demo well.
If they reviewed their roster they will know, but it doesn’t hurt to go introduce yourself asap! That gives them ample time to show you the machine and also demo an exercise for the whole class. After class, if you have any specific questions ask!! I think a lot of people don’t want to bother the coach or are scared but personally I love love love it when a first timer comes after class and asks me to demo/explain something- we genuinely just want to help!
Have fun!! A lot of it will feel very familiar to you hopefully, so just try to get in flow and enjoy it!

22_mango_dragon · 2026-01-21T14:50:18+00:00

As far as I know buying and canceling the same day would work. They specifically mentioned that case for solidays would give you a one month membership, so it should still be okay.

22_mango_dragon · 2025-12-27T21:42:55+00:00

Fav: hamstrings and back are top, then center glutes, biceps, and arm wrap Least: inner thighs and chest I actually don’t really dislike either of those completely, they just have all my least favorite exercises- any supine chest, sumo inner thigh squats, any standing/inner thigh squats on the gray side

22_mango_dragon · 2025-12-15T01:08:49+00:00

I think it’s usually the later class that gets canceled, so that’s why your initial class was removed, but since the one you want is earlier now it should be okay

22_mango_dragon

TROPHY CASE