It’s harder than it looks. That’s the main lesson I learned last Wednesday night when I decided to attend a ViPR (pronounced viper) class at the Recreation and Athletic Centre.

The ViPR is a weighted rubber tube-shaped tool with two handles located close to the centre of the cylinder. We used the tool and flipped, lifted, chopped and slammed our way down the gym in a series of different drill-like exercises The movement and the weight of the ViPRs made for a sweaty class. 

The ViPR, which stands for vitality, performance and reconditioning, was created by National Hockey  League trainer Michol Dalcourt.  

Dalcourt trained hockey players during the off-season. Although he thought he was training them the best way possible, each year when the players hit the ice, they just weren’t strong enough.

When he asked the coaches which players were beating his own to the puck, they answered “the farm kids.” 

So Dalcourt sought out a way to incorporate the chore-like movements, like shovelling and lifting, to the players’ training routine. 

Enter the ViPR. 

Instructor Stephanie Yankovich believes in the power of the tool. 

“You’re building full-body strength from the ground up with natural movements,” she said. 

Yankovich says the way she sets up the class is different from the other instructors. She sets up each class in a track-like style, using the width of the gym as the students’ individual lanes. We performed the different exercises while moving down our lane. Once we got to the end, we completed a number of static exercises. On the way back, we repeated the first set of movements.

Since it was my first time trying the tool, I was told to grab the lightest one, at four kilograms. It didn’t feel like much when I first picked it up, but it didn’t feel too light by the end of the 50 minutes. 

Familiar body-weight exercises, like lunges, squats and burpees, were integrated into the workout. 

Based on what I had heard about the ViPR, I was expecting a muscle workout more than anything else. What I didn’t expect was the cardio aspect of the class. Each time I finished one of the routines, I prayed that my heart would stay in my ribcage.

I don’t know if I’ll be next in line for the nearest ViPR class anytime soon. It just wouldn’t be my first choice of workout, considering the other classes I’ve enjoyed at Ryerson. But if you’re looking for a way to push yourself in your exercise plan, or freshen up a boring routine, give it a shot.

But I will say that the class surprised me.

It didn’t feel like too much of a muscle workout during my time at the gym, and I was a bit disappointed by the end of the class — until I had to run up the stairs at the subway station to catch my bus. By the first couple of steps, I was sure my legs were going to buckle under me. 

Well played ViPR, well played.