Barre workouts! (guest post)

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Hello all. It is Abby from www.backatsquarezero.com where I blog about my quest to go from completely out of shape to fit by transforming myself from a couch potato to a marathon runner and learning to eat right and live healthy in the process.

Not That Bar Get Your Head Out of the Wine Glass Barre

When you tell someone you’re going to barre they do not picture a fitness studio, but that is exactly what I do one day a week. If you would have asked me a few months ago if I would ever attend a barre class I would have laughed at you like you were crazy. As far as I knew barre was something celebrities in LA and NY did and after a few horrible attempts at yoga, picture my clumsy, awkward 5’10 frame tipping over numerous times and almost taking others out with me, I was sure running long slow distances was my destiny. I have absolutely fallen in love with running and in particular distance running so I was very happy that this was my main only form of fitness.

However, as I entered my thirties I began to realize that running six or seven days a week may not be what is best for me. I don’t recover from exercise as well as I did when I was younger. I am not sure if this is because I am getting older or if it is because I’ve been running for a long time without many breaks, but either way it sucks. I started to notice that I was sore on a regular basis and what used to be little bumps in the road seemed to turn into more serious injuries. I decided it was time to do something about this in order to keep myself healthy and running. I knew I was horrible about stretching post run and that my flexibility mirrored that of the tin man so I decided I needed to force myself to focus on these areas of weakness by attending a class. I thought about yoga and was terrified by horrible memories so I began to look at pilates studios instead.

Luckily at that exact time I got an email from Groupon – Four Barre classes for super cheap. I knew nothing about barre, but on my teacher salary realized I could try four barre classes for the same price as two at the pilates studio and I signed up. You might find this crazy or amusing, but walking into that barre class I was more nervous than I was at my first marathon. I am a total klutz and was terrified I was going to do something really embarrassing, like go crashing down ripping the entire bar out of the wall with me. (Seriously I had nightmares about that.)

However, I was shocked at how welcoming everyone was in the studio and how helpful they were. I had signed up for a beginner class and they walked me through the equipment first: your own barre station, free weights, a strap, and a barre. Plus when I called on the phone they had explained that I would need to make sure I wore or brought socks. I have since bought special barre socks which I always put on before class so my feet don’t slip on the carpet. I loved that if you ever felt uncomfortable or off balance at the barre you could use your strap to help hold you up. Woohoo, that meant no crashing to the ground, my fears were eased. However, what has kept me going back to barre, even now that my Groupon has expired, is the workout I got. It was not the sweat dripping cardio I am used to, but it definitely worked my muscles in different ways.

The barre class was split into four sections: arms, legs, butts (glutes if you want to be all PC), and abs. Each section was fifteen minutes long and focused on exhausting one part of the body through multiple repetitions using free weights or body weight. I loved the feeling I got that first day when I could actually sense my legs shaking at certain points as I held tightly to the barre for stability, I have since learned to loosen my grips and make my legs work even harder. I enjoyed glancing down as I did small squats on my tip toes and seeing my calf muscles twitch and my thighs quiver because while it made me feel weak, it also made me feel strong and happy knowing I was working my muscles differently than I do when I run. On top of that I liked that they incorporated in flexibility moves and stretching which I lack in my daily running routine. I was so happy I took a chance and tried barre. I now go once a week on my active rest day (as I am currently marathon training) and I could not be more pleased with the results. I may never look like the picture hanging in the barre studio, but I am working harder to be the best, healthiest me I can be by doing something new in order to improve my flexibility and hopefully relieve some of my muscle soreness not only by stretching, but also by strengthening my muscles.

I hope you will consider giving barre a try. I was the ultimate reluctant runner, convinced I would hate anything besides my intense cardio workouts and I am here to say… I was proven wrong! Barre is a fun workout, goes by surprisingly fast, and works you body is ways you may not be used to. Check it out.

Then let me know how it goes:

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Comments

  1. Funny–I have an upcoming opportunity to try a barre class. I wasn’t sure about going–I’ve never been a dancer, into ballet, or very flexible. Hmmm . . . but after reading this maybe I’ll give it a shot. Great post–thanks!

  2. I was the same way about Barre. I’m by no means a ‘dancer.’ I found that I love it! It’s a killer workout that leaves your muscles screaming. One or two pound weights are no joke in Barre!

  3. interestingly, we have a Barre in Vermont, but is it pronounced like the fruit, not like….well…Barre.

  4. i have tried barre here and love it. wish it were more affordable. everytime i go i am afraid i will rip the barre out of the wall! 🙂

  10. Love Abby! and I was seriously thinking I need to do a Barre class and then there was this post in my inbox.. coincidence? I think not! Have a great weekend

  11. You look seriously “dancer like” in that last pic! I’ve never considered a class like this, but like you, I’m a tight runner who could probably use it. Thanks for sharing all the deets.

    • I want to save the fact that you said I look “dancer like” and stick it to my fridge! I’ve never had any grace so that is quite the compliment.
      I am always tight too, but bad about stretching. It is really helpful to know that after my long run Saturday morning I have barre class Sunday morning and they’ll force me to stretch out some.

  12. I really want to try a Barre class, but unfortunately, the studio here in my town rubbed the social media crowd the wrong way when they attacked a local blogger for giving an honest review on her blog. I’ll just have to wait until I visit two of my favorite Boston blogger ladies again – they are Barre instructors and I can’t wait to take a class with them!

    • piggybacking on Alicia’s comment because that’s ME (and my sis) she’s talking about, hehe. I am freakin’ OBSESSED with the barre!!! It is an incredible complement to running — I have never had happier knees in my life (thanks to rock hard glutes and hammies!!) and I’m finally gaining core strength and flexibility, again something I never ever had before with other strength workouts. I highly recommend it (not that I’m biased, haha). And if any of ya’ll come up to the Boston area anytime soon, I’d love to have you at the studio (barre n9ne)!! 🙂

      • I am so in love with barre now too. How amazing that you have a studio, fabulous name by the way. Right now with marathon training I can only go one time a week, but I’d eventually like to work 2 days into my running schedule in hope of seeing more core strength and better glutes.

      • Lobbing on here 😉 Per Jess and Alicia (thanks for the shout out, friend!!), barre and running is seriously the magic bullet combination!! Don’t you agree? Love your post and your explanation of your first class and how much you loved it and how different it is! It IS a completely new way of working out and once you do it, it’s like nothing you’ve ever experienced. The best. As Jess said, we’d welcome any of you with open arms if you ever find yourself in Boston!!

  13. I took a Barre class a few months ago! My glutes loved the buuuurrrn!

    I must admit, I was a touch afraid I’d have to dance as I was a terrible ballerina as a child.

  14. I’ve been wanting to try barre- although I have no idea where to go around here. I’ll have to start doing a little digging. Classes are the best way for me to get strength training in, I skimp too much on my own!

  15. I’ve never tried barre but I will be scheduling one at my fitness center in the fall so I will have a chance to try it then. I know that my members are excited to try it!

    Love the socks. We sell Toe Sox here and I had to buy a pair of bright purple toeless ones. They’re great for yoga and pilates, too.

  16. After being forced for years to take ballet lessons i despised and was terrible at, i am indeed reluctant to try anything that reminds me of the awfulness of those days. If i can get past that, i will try it.

  21. I too have never heard of barre workouts, but as I read through your description I felt sure you must be talking about ballet. As a former ballerina and ballroom dancer, I can attest to the wonderful benefits of cross training the body in this way. I like running as well, but my poor feet don’t love it as much and nothing creates that long lean look like ballet. I’m glad this is now available in a non-threatening form. I’ve always thought more people would benefit from trying a little ballet.

  23. yay abby!!!!! ive been looking into doing barre because a studio opened less than a mile from my house! i had no idea you did it!! awesome! now i definitely want to try it out!

  25. I tried a barre class for the first time when I was in NYC! A bunch of Fitfluential Ambassadors got invited to Physique 57 and had a private class with Tanya Becker, and well – she killed us. And that class was crazy sweaty! But then again, all you have to do is look at me and I sweat 😉

  27. Great post! I’m really interested to try it! I used to be a ballet dancer so I definitely think I’d enjoy it!

  28. I must confess I haven’t even heard of Barre classes. Must google them and see if we have them here in Australia!

    It would be a nice change from pilates!

    Deb

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  2. […] Friday 24 Aug posted by abby Today my blog post is up on MizFitOnline so be sure to check it out.  It is about being a runner who was reluctant refused to try any […]

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