Susan Sweet

If you still think of yourself as the kid who shuffled around the track with your friends during gym class, a high energy cardio workout is probably not high on your To-do list. On the other hand, you know how important it is to get the blood pumping when you can. “Move it or lose it,” as they say.

But did you also know that aerobic exercise is equally as good for your mind as it is for your body? For many of our members, the mental magic is the motivating factor that keeps them coming back to Body Machine Fitness. Well that, and the sneaky science we use called “brain entrainment.”

Body Machine Fitness is the only gym in the world that uses neuroscience to hack the brain to crave—not just endure—exercise. We think that’s pretty magical, and you will too.

Closer To a Real ‘High’ Than You Might Think

It’s a common misconception that endorphin hormones produce the “runner’s high” effect experienced after cardio exercise. It’s unlikely that this euphoric state can be attributed to endorphins, according to one Johns Hopkins School of Medicine source, because endorphins don’t cross the blood-brain barrier.

A strong theory is that this euphoria is generated by endocannabinoids, biochemical substances the body naturally produces that are remarkably similar to cannabis and act on the same body system. “Runner’s high” turns out to be a spot-on name for cardio’s mental health perks.

So Powerful It Literally Grows Your Brain

In one University of British Columbia study, researchers found regular aerobic exercise increased the size of the hippocampus, the part of the brain that handles verbal memory and learning. Other studies have shown that people who exercise have more developed prefrontal and medial temporal cortices, which process thinking and memory.

“Even more exciting is the finding that engaging in a program of regular exercise of moderate intensity over six months or a year is associated with an increase in the volume of selected brain regions,” Dr. Scott McGinnis, a neurologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, told the Harvard Medical School health blog. He added that any activity that gets blood pumping has these health benefits.

In May of 2022, the Journal of Sport and Health Science reviewed the immediate effect of high-intensity exercise a molecule called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF helps repair brain cells and make new brain cells, which is linked to neuroplasticity and neural connectivity. It starts after your very first class and keeps working for you long after your post-workout shower. In this way, cardio is like stretching for your brain, making it more flexible.

Strongest When Repeated

The secret to getting the most out of cardio is consistency–and lucky for BMF members, the keys to consistency are built into every workout. The intentionally designed music and light show that accompanies our HITT sessions stimulates the brain’s pleasure pathways, so staying consistent goes from a challenge to something as natural as breathing.

Breathing during cardio exercise is essentially like doing weight reps for your heart and vascular system, and the more you perform, the more you get out of it. Just getting to an exercise class can sometimes be one of the biggest barriers to developing a fitness routine. BMF’s community-oriented classes are variable and lively because getting to your workout should be a pleasure, not a chore.

Experience The Magic with Us

BMF is a gym like no other you’ve been to before! We invite you to attend your first group fitness classes in Plano or group fitness classes in Ft. Worth absolutely free, so you can see what it means to pair brain science with a full-body workout.

Picture this: You walk into a group fitness class, the room is saturated in a soft red glow, and the unmistakable thump of a pulsating beat fills the air. You’re not entering a nightclub; you’re embarking on a fitness journey that’s about to redefine your idea of working out.

At Body Machine Fitness, we’re not just a gym; we’re an immersive fitness experience. From the moment you step into the studio, you’re transported into a world where music and lights take center stage.

But why are these elements so crucial?

Let’s delve into why music and lights are so important at BMF and the world of group fitness classes.

Music and fitness have always shared a deep connection. At Body Machine Fitness, this connection is taken to the next level. The carefully curated playlists we create are more than just background noise; they’re the heartbeat of your workout!

The high energy workout music syncs with your movements, setting the pace and driving your energy levels. Fast-tempo tracks push you to conquer that last rep, while mellower tunes guide you through cool-downs and stretches.

The result? An exhilarating workout that feels less like a chore and more like dancing to infectious, mind-altering music.

Beyond the beat, music taps into the emotional core of your workout. It’s the motivational coach in your ear, urging you to push harder, go faster, and reach higher. It transforms your mindset, turning doubts into determination.

Whether you’re jumping, lifting, or planking, the right song can be the catalyst that propels you past your limits.

At BMF, music is more than just background; it’s the driving force behind your achievements.

Boost Performance and Focus

Our lights aren’t just thrilling to look at; they’re synchronized to get the best physical performance out of you. Think of your eyes like little brains outside of your skull. As they absorb the sensory input from the lights and your ears fill with music, you’re pushed into a high-beta brainwave state. Ever heard of fight or flight? The lights are a tool to control the Body Machine Fitness experience so your body stays primed to fight through the workout without running off the rails into flight mode.

Create Community and Connection

By merging movement, music, and light, Body Machine Fitness classes give way to a group collective nervous system, also called CNS. This shared experience makes you feel powerfully connected to your community and releases hormones such as serotonin and oxytocin to ensure you give your best for yourself and your fellow workout warriors.

Music and lights at BMF aren’t mere accessories; they’re indispensable tools in your physical and mental health journey.

By tapping into our brain’s reward centers, evoking positive emotions, and creating an immersive ambiance, this sensory combination makes working out not only beneficial for our bodies but also a source of genuine pleasure for our minds.

So, the next time you step into our studios, remember that the music and lights aren’t just there to accompany you—they’re there to elevate you! Come see for yourself and book a free class now in Ft. Worth or Plano.

Everyone cares about their physical and mental health, but not everyone prioritizes it. The problem? Getting motivated.  

In a world where we’re constantly bombarded by things to do, people to see, and bills to pay—adding another obligation to your to-do list can feel like a punishment. Especially exercise! 

But what if there was a way to make working out feel more like a reward than a chore? Body Machine Fitness has cracked the code.  

By synchronizing lights, music, and movement, fitness classes at BMF studios look more like a nightclub than an average gym. Together, these elements hack the brain to take working out from an activity you endure to a ritual you crave.  

Body Machine Fitness is the world’s first gym to leverage neuroscience to make working out not only effective but addictive. Ready to feel the groove and change your body? First-timers can register for a free fitness class here.  

Synchronized audio, light shows, sweat, and RESULTS. Body Machine Fitness is the full sensory workout you’ll want to feel every day.  

Music that Motivates  

You know that feeling when the beat builds and drops at an EDM concert? We actually recreate that feeling in every class. Think of our music as a motivational coach in your ear, urging you to push harder, go faster, and reach higher. Our playlists are curated to transform your mindset, turning doubts into determination.  

An Atmosphere that Invigorates 

In our group fitness classes, time passes fast as you surrender to the music and lose yourself to the beat. The nightclub-inspired atmosphere creates a group collective nervous system, also called CNS. This motivates everyone to push harder than in a traditional gym setting.  

A Community You’ll Love  

Hate working out? Fine. Never been able to stick with a program long-term?
That’s OK too. Already love working out, but want to change things up? You’ve all come to the right place.  

Body Machine Fitness is for everybody. Our close-knit community makes all feel welcome. We don’t want you to think too much about how you look or if you’re doing as “good” as you did last week. Everyone at BMF has your back.  

Science-Backed. Sweaty. Addictive.  

Think of Body Machine Fitness as a club where camaraderie, playfulness, and productivity combine. Sure, our class schedule features weekly workouts like Full Body Sweat, Upper Body Tone, and Lower Body Strength–but they’re never ever the same.  

Our Master Trainer is versed in the science of surprise, using proven methods to keep your mind and body guessing. We never repeat workouts, so you’ll never plateau.  

Why does it work? It’s simple: constant muscle confusion = constant entertainment and constant improvement. And science backs us up! 

Body Machine Fitness is the first and only gym in the world to leverage brainwave entrainment to rewire the brain so that you begin to associate working out with excitement. At BMF, all it takes is a couple of nightclub-inspired group fitness classes to change the way you see working out forever.  

When you engage in physical activity, your body releases “feel-good” hormones like dopamine and endorphins–the chemicals that are released when you go to a concert or a club. Over time, these hormones become associated with the activity itself and create positive reinforcement for continuing to show up. 

BMF can help you reprogram your brain to actually look forward to physical activity instead of dreading it. What would it mean for your health if Body Machine Fitness became your new addiction?  

Boost Performance and Focus

Our lights aren’t just thrilling to look at; they’re synchronized to get the best physical performance out of you. Think of your eyes like little brains outside of your skull. As they absorb the sensory input from the lights and your ears fill with music, you’re pushed into a high-beta brainwave state. Ever heard of fight or flight? The lights are a tool to control the Body Machine Fitness experience so your body stays primed to fight through the workout without running off the rails into flight mode.

Create Community and Connection

By merging movement, music, and light, Body Machine Fitness classes give way to a group collective nervous system, also called CNS. This shared experience makes you feel powerfully connected to your community and releases hormones such as serotonin and oxytocin to ensure you give your best for yourself and your fellow workout warriors.

Our musically driven HIIT (intervals) workouts take exercise from a chore to your preferred social outing, surrounded by your tribe, united in the moment. Join us for group fitness classes in Plano and group fitness classes in Fort Worth. We can’t wait to welcome you with open (sculpted) arms.  

Lace up your sneakers, grab your water bottle, and prepare to embark on a fitness journey that’s as intense as it is efficient. We’re diving headfirst into the world of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), where “sweat” becomes your middle name, and your heart rate soars to new heights.  

Much like a shot of espresso for your cardio routine and a nootropic for your brain, HIIT is here to shake up your workouts and redefine what it means to break a sweat.  

HIIT is a form of cardiovascular exercise that alternates between short bursts of intense, anaerobic exercise and brief recovery periods of lower-intensity activity or rest.  

The primary idea behind HIIT is to push your body to its limits during the high-intensity phases, allowing you to maximize your workout in a shorter amount of time compared to traditional steady-state cardio workouts like jogging or cycling. 

HIIT has gained tremendous popularity in recent years not only for how it improves cardiovascular health, but also our brain health. As neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Huberman has discussed at length on his Huberman Labs podcast, HIIT enhances memory and cognition, keeping the brain in optimal shape even as we age.  

Its efficiency and effectiveness have made it a preferred choice for people looking to enhance cardiovascular health, lose weight, increase overall fitness levels, and keep the mind sharp.

High-Intensity Interval Training is a cardio rollercoaster ride that challenges your cardiovascular system to perform at its optimal level. It’s like sending your heart to boot camp, and it comes back as a lean, mean pumping machine.  

HIIT leverages several physiological mechanisms to provide effective cardiovascular training: 

• Improved Heart Health: HIIT, in any form, has the ability to improve cardiovascular health. The intense bursts of activity followed by short recovery periods stimulate the heart and increase its efficiency. 
• Increased Calorie Burn: The combination of high-intensity intervals and brief recovery periods, especially in HIIT group workout classes, can lead to substantial calorie burn, aiding in weight management and fat loss. 
• Lower Blood Pressure: Regular participation in HIIT can help lower blood pressure, reducing the risk of hypertension and heart disease. 
• A Better Brain Boost: Studies indicate that high-intensity interval training benefits our minds more than moderate-intensity continuous training.  
• Less Time Wasted: If you have limited time for exercise, group HIIT classes offer a quick and efficient way to get a robust cardiovascular workout. 

When it comes to cardio, HIIT emerges as the undisputed champion. It’s effective, efficient, and about as exciting as a workout can get. Its scientific underpinnings, coupled with a multitude of benefits, make it a formidable choice for people like you looking to enhance their heart health, manage their weight, and improve their cognition.  

Body Machine Fitness HIIT workouts make the most of workout science — both the science of HIIT and the science of brain entrainment to make working out desirable 

So, if you’re tired of the treadmill’s monotony or the elliptical ennui, try a HIIT group training class  at BMF. It’s the cardio cure that won’t bore you to tears, and it might just be the fitness revelation you’ve been waiting for.  

Strap on those sneakers, and let’s HIIT the ground running!