Surfset Is Coming to Boston

In February 2014, during one of the coldest winters that Boston has seen in some time, Astrid Bengtson, a personal trainer and corrective exercise specialist, was on a surfboard—but not in the freezing Atlantic.

Bengtson was training to get her certification in Surfset, a workout created by New Hampshire natives who pitched their idea on Shark Tank and got a deal with Mark Cuban. The workout is designed to simulate the physical demands of surfing without being in the ocean and all that comes with it (rip currents, jellyfish, sand-all-up-in-your-suit, etc.), and will be held at the Revere Hotel’s pool deck.

The workout is a 60-minute long class on a surfboard designed to strengthen and sculpt the entire body, focusing on the core and the body’s postural muscles, which is perfect for someone like Bengtson, who specializes postural strength and alignment.

“I started training [for Surfset] in late-February, as soon as I was asked to do it. I said immediately said yes because it seemed like so much fun,” Bengtson says. “I started practicing and training and now I’m a certified Surfset instructor. What I really like about the program is that you are highly encouraged to bring your own background and philosophy into the Surfset workout, so I can integrate my philosophy on postural strength and alignment.”

While the classes have already been offered in Quincy, Pembroke, and Swampscott, this will be the only Surfset classes available in the city this summer. It’s rain or shine, because the boards can easily be moved indoors.

“The movements that we do on the surfboard will be things like regular planks, push-ups, upper body movements, standing exercises like lunges and squats, and other things to bring up the heart rate,” Bengtson says. “The warm-up may incorporate specific movements that will help people utilize proper muscular function in the strength exercises.”

Bengtson says that the workout will be challenging because everything is done on a surfboard which is an unstable surface. Fortunately, for those of us who need to work on our balance, the boards are adjustable to ensure that the workout is something that everyone can enjoy.

“I’m excited about having the opportunity to teach in this amazing location,” Bengtson says. “It’s everything that an instructor could ask for. It’s a small class with only five people, and the view is amazing.”

Classes start Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 10:30 a.m starting June 12; $25.00 per class; to register, email: surfset@reverehotel.com