My Favorite Workout: Barre
When you come from a dance background, finding a fitness routine that satisfies you can be quite difficult. After I graduated college, dance was no longer a part of my day-to-day life. I was no longer on my cheer/dance team and there aren’t many studios near me that offer dance lessons for adults. Within one year, I had over six memberships at fitness centers trying to find something that could replace dance for me.
I tried everything from kickboxing to yoga—even light weight lifting. Some activities came close to doing the trick for me, but either the memberships were out of my price range or I got bored after a month. For the longest time I found myself only being semi-satisfied with cardio machines. That was until I found barre.
Barre is a mix between ballet, yoga, and pilates. It’s exciting, ever-changing, relaxing, and challenging all at the same time. It’s a full-body workout that really focuses on your core and helps improve balance. Typically the classes run anywhere between 45-60 minutes. Personally, I use it as my hour out of the day to clear my head and connect with my body.
Last summer, I took my first barre class at a studio called Pure Barre. I signed up for a new client package that let me take classes for a month. It was the most enjoyable time of my day. I felt confident, healthy, and happy. As much as I loved my experience, after the month ended I did not purchase another package.
Months went by and I really missed having the community and routine that you get from studios. Barre studios give you a community that is encouraging, positive, and understanding. Most members wear their Lululemon leggings, get excited about new sticky socks, and enjoy green smoothies. I understand and get along with these women because I am one of them. Not being part of a studio anymore made me feel a little lost.
One day, I got a sign that I needed to get back into a studio—literally; I drove past The Dailey Method’s sign. A week later, I signed up for a membership and Friday was my first class.
I cannot explain how excited I am to be back in a studio. The location I go to is 3 minutes away from my house and has classes that work perfectly with my work schedule. From the second I walked into the studio, I felt a rush of belonging come back and it’s been with me since. The classes I attended were perfect and I feel like my form has really improved already. The upbeat music and smooth directions given by the instructor lulls me back into a state relaxation and tranquility.
It’s so good to be back at the barre.
I’ll be sure to keep you all updated on my experience with my new membership. If you have any questions about barre, please let me know. I’ll have a post up soon about what to expect at your first class!
