Back to the Barre

I headed back to Pure Barre this weekend. Because FREE CLASSES!

I love free classes. Especially when my gyms are closed and most of my classes are on hiatus for winter break.

I took the Saturday morning class with the owner. I was sure I was going to die. It's been four months since I did Pure Barre.

I walked in. Everyone was chatting excitedly, with a few people looking around nervously. The class started. And the warmup.

1. I forgot about the warmup. It starts out kind of jazzercise march in place and gets difficult quickly. I forgot how bad I was at the twisting part of the warmup.

2. I forgot how brutal the warmup is. 90 second plank hold is hard enough but to do it while tucking. OMG.

3. After the warmup, the class isn't quite as hellish. I settled into the routine of the class and still knew enough of the basics to not feel foolish. Thank you 100 club, for teaching me Pure Barre basics. Actually I was surprised that with the exception of the twist, I fell right back into it. I could still stand on pointe, tuck, and was still bad at the things I used to be bad at ;)

4. I picked up Pure Barre's 3-pounds weights and forgot how light they are. I use 5's at home. They get heavy quickly when you keep your arms up for 3-5 minutes so I was fine with the 3 pounds.

5. Sweat was rolling down my arms in the warm-up. They keep the room a little warmer than normal—which I like. I forgot about the sweat drip. It just shows I work hard!

6. The class got hellish again in barre holds. I just can't keep my leg up that long. I need to stretch it. And then beastly again in abs. The hard part was keep your arms up—and overhead the whole time (at some points, your elbows by your ears and hands on your shoulder blades). Eventually, I had to take my arms down. I know my limits. I was at them.

I finished the class. And was glad to have survived. And not not have sucked. It was a great class and a great workout.

I checked my watch—and the class burned more calories than Above Barre classes, but not as much as the HIIT class they have.

The owner told me I needed to try their Platform class.

A few people have told me that. (The manager at Lululemon ;) And I kind of want to. I kind of think I'd fall on my face or look ridiculous.

She offered me a free class. And I said let's make that happen. I'm going Wednesday and will report back! I'm kind of excited/ hoping I don't die.

And round two, I took a second class on Sunday.

And I'm totally embarrassed and feel like a mooch.

My friend was going to come with me—so I only signed up after she said yes. She bailed a few hours before class (too late for me to cancel) so I showed up and felt like I looked like cheapskate. (I am but don't want to look like one.)

The Sunday class was good. Less crowded than the Saturday class. Apparently a lot of people didn't show on Sunday. But I like it when there's room not to kick people at the barre ;) There were some new girls near me. They did great. I tried to make sure I had extra perfect form so they knew what to do. (So that's what I bring to the free class. Someone for them to watch during barre work.)

The class was taught by one my favorite teachers. This sweet girl who used to be a college cheerleader and is working on her Ph.D. (She is amazing!!) My Apple Watch said this class actually burned more calories. Both classes were difficult—they were challenging, my muscles were shaking and I was working. But it wasn't too challenging that I got frustrated with myself or wanted to leave. It was just the right amount of challenge. I like that.

The owner's ab section was more difficult—and I didn't know quite what to expect for the first class. By the Sunday class, I was more comfortable. But don't worry, there was still awful hip flexor exercises that I am so bad at. (Anything in beetle, I suck at. It hurts so much!!)

I survived two Pure Barre classes in two days. And was totally fine afterward. I feel like this just means I'm a beast.

Part of me misses Pure Barre. I like the structure. I like the instructors. I like the ab section and what it works. I like going up on my tip toes. I like the stretching in the dark at the end. (I really do like this part. Favorite part of class. The cool down.)

If I had unlimited time for workouts and didn't have to worry about money—I'd be there now. But while I'm running, taking a Canopy session, doing gymnastics—my time and funds are limited, I don't know how to make the money work.

Until Wednesday Pure Barre, and then I might have to find the money for my Platform addiction. (I've been warned.)

If you go to Pure Barre
1) Wear tights or leggings. And socks. Don't wear shorts. Also, if you have Lululemon, that's the unofficial wardrobe and you can't go wrong with it.

2) Bring: water bottle. Optional: towel. You will sweat!

3) Get there early to sign the waiver, talk to the teacher and find a spot. Do you want to be in the front or back? By a barre or a mirror?

4) There's usually an instructor taking class to watch if you're lost (they will usually be at the front of the room and the instructor teaching may introduce them during the warmup.). If not, find anyone wearing 100 club socks and watch them. Or ask the instructor before class who you can watch. The instructor will give hands on corrections. I always say THANKS because I want to do the workout right and not hurt myself. Don't be hard on yourself for a correction. It just means the instructor cares that you have the best experience.

5) Think small movements. A lot of bootcamp classes emphasize bigger movements. In Pure Barre, small movements will work your body harder.

5) Know your limits. It's okay to stretch or break form if you need to. It's ok to modify or take breaks. Heck, fake it until you recover if you have to. You'll get stronger every class.

Best for: Former dancers, anyone looking for a low impact workout. There are many grandmas who love these classes and excel at them. Also I told my sister who just had a baby—that this class works exactly those muscles. She should try it for her core.
Note: Not a lot of guys go. So unless it's a "Bring on the Men" class, I wouldn't really force your guy friend to come with you. (But the girls are all cute.)

Happy tucking!

Joining the Pure Barre 100 club

We had sparkling grape juice for my 100. Thanks Rachelle! 

I've joined the Pure Barre 100 club. In a little over 5 months I took 100 Pure Barre classes.

In a large studio, it's nice to have the recognition and something to work towards. And free socks! I like that they do this. And I like the social media posts. It helps me learn the other regular's names.

And it's been a long journey.

Officially, I took 100 classes in a year and a week. I took my first Pure Barre class May 30 last year. It was free friend Friday. I met one of the instructors at the local trampoline gym. She invited me to try a class and was surprised when I actually showed up.

I liked my first Pure Barre class. It was challenging and well organized. But I wasn't sold, frankly because Pure Barre is expensive. And it's not as fun or adrenaline pumping as some of the other fitness classes I've tried.

I took another free class that fall. It was hard. And Pure Barre was filed away in my list of workouts to try when I get tired of my current gym/when my contract runs out.

And in December my gym closed to move to a bigger facility. Their lease ran out and there was some gap time. So I went to Pure Barre. (Also, it was one of the only fitnesses places open over Christmas break in my college town.) I took a class. Decided I'd give it a whirl and bought the one-month new client special.

At $100 for a month, it was the most I've ever paid for a gym membership.

I went to the classes. My metabolism reved up and I was hungry all the time. My calves were cramping. And finally my body got used to the new workout routine.

Did Pure Barre transform my body or make me lose weight? I'm not one of those people

Two years ago I started working out. I'd lose weight and gain muscle. Eventually, I dropped one pant size, settled at a few pounds less than my pre-workout weight and I've plataeued there. I'm happy with being an athletic size 4. Sure, I'd like to drop 10 pounds, but think I'd have to diet miserably for months to get there. I'm at a happy, healthy weight. I'm lean and toned, but was before I started going to Pure Barre.

But instead of workout out two hours a day, I only have to do 55 minutes at Pure Barre. I've tried to go crazy and run on Pure Barre days, but I don't think it's good for me.

I'm currently battling an overuse injury in my knee from trying to balance running, Pure Barre and everything else I want to do. My knee definitely limits what I can do.

I try to take 4 pure Barre classes a week, do two alternate workouts and take one day off.  I miss climbing ropes.

Will I join the 250 club? I'm not sure yet.

Reasons I love Pure Barre

1. It's challenging. The tucking and up-an-inch, down-an-inch is difficult, but I feel like that means it's something I need to work on.
2. No brainer workout. I just show up and they tell me what to do for an efficient workout. No guessing what machines to get on at the gym.
3. The socks. Honestly, they're just cute and comfy.
4. The instructors are so nice and positive. (No shouting drill sergeant style)
5. Getting a shout out for doing a good job.
6. The music. (Love the pop music.)
7. All the cute gym clothes. The girls at my Pure Barre all wear the cutest clothes. Love seeing all of it.
8. Lots of class availability. 5:30, 6:45, 8 p.m. Even with my crazy schedule, there's usually a class I can take.
9. It really works your calves. If my calves get any bigger I might not be able to wear my riding boots.
10. It's a hard workout that doesn't leave me too drained afterwards. I'm happy to be done with the workout and have enough energy for the rest of my day.

10 things I've learned after 10 classes of Pure Barre

1) Grippy socks are important. Wear them.

Pure Barre sells $12 black socks with colored grips on the bottom (pink, grew, purple, yellow, turquoise, blue)

It's hard to hold plank on carpet in normal socks. Wear the grippy socks and you've got a better chance of staying up.  Also, you can tell the new people by who wears their own socks. All the pros will be in black pure barre socks.

2) Everyone wears LuluLemon.
Pure Barre's unofficial sponsor of overpriced barre classes. Seriously, everyone wears Lulu. I see a girl in a super cute girl in a top that fits her perfectly and sure enough I see the little horseshoe. It's great advertising and the clothes are ridiculously cute.

3) Chair position while holding on to the barre is the worst. 
Okay, everything on the barre is the worst. The mirror might be there so you can see your grimace of pain.

4) Calf cramps are real. 
This is normal after your first few classes.
(Trick: You can roll out your calves with the red Pure Barre ball. Sit on the floor, weight on your hands, and place the ball under your calves and roll on it.)

5) Get to class early if you want a specific spot, in the back or in a corner. Usually the front has a spot or two, but the classes are full or close to it.

6) Seat means butt or ass.
The instructors won't say that a movement should come from your ass, she'll say seat. It's more zen that way, I guess.

7) They really want you to have fun with the hip thrusting at the end of class. And it gets really dark in the evening classes when the turn the lights out.

8) Pure Barre is full of pretty young things. The girls are (mostly) all 20-something, perfectly put together and beautiful. The instructors are all former dancers or cheerleaders and are drop dead gorgeous.  I don't know why more guys don't go just to ogle the girls in lululemon yoga pants.

9) It's a 10 count, not 8 count for a lot of the exercises. And I have never been so glad to get to 10 in my life.

10) It's OKAY if you get a correction from a teacher. That way you can do it better next time. It is not the end of the world. You want to get corrections so you do the exercise right and work what it was intended to work. 

Pure Barre Socks—best socks ever

The first time I went to Pure Barre I was pretty turned off by the socks. Ugh! I prefer to work out barefoot. It was also summer.

Now it's winter and I hate being cold. I'm starting to see the appeal of working out in socks.

I bought a pair of Pure Barre socks. It was kind of the lemming effect. Everyone in the class wears them and I didn't want to stick out. AND they were black and pink. My favorite color combination. So I spent $12.84 and worked out in Pure Barre socks.

They are pretty much the best socks ever. They are soft and warm. And if I work out in the morning I wear them all day. I quickly bought a second pair (in black and turquoise.) And then I wondered how many socks should I have to do Pure Barre?  Do people that go 5 times a week have 5 pairs so they only have to wash them once a week? I have some other grippy socks for other classes and I've been thinking about getting a few more pairs. I'd like the black in green, black and purple or black and white.

But I haven't been the only one mildly addicted. The stock of socks have been really low. A few days ago, there was just bright blue and yellow left. Last night when I went there were no socks left at all. The performance socks, which are $15, had been replenished, but I haven't actually asked what the difference in those socks are.

I do tend to slip on the socks when holding plank, so if they're stickier I might consider.

And apparently the socks are really a thing. You can tell the older members because they have colors not available anymore. Also, apparently when you finish 100 classes you get socks with red grips. You have to earn the red socks.

Also, the socks are so thick they take extra time to dry. Seriously, I had them in a load of laundry and everything was dry but my socks. I had to take all the laundry out of the dryer and just stick the socks in so they'd be dry enough in time for class.

The other downside: toe lint. These socks are so fluffy there's always lint on my toes afterwards.

Part-time Lululemon model

I feel slightly like a Lululemon shoulder model in this picture. :) 

Today I discovered Lulelemon. They had a free pure barre class at their studio so I decided to go and the result is this picture and some sore glutes.

Lululemon has been on my radar for awhile—$100 yoga pants that are see-through. That whole scandal alerted me to the fact that yoga pants could cost $100. (I thought Victoria's Secret $50 pants were expensive.) But I was curious why people would pay that much and what the big deal was. Was there something more than the lemming effect that led college students in my day to wear Chacos (so comfy) and North Face jackets?

Lululemon opened up a showroom in my town and I drive past it all the time. I liked them on Facebook and they offer free classes all of the time (yoga, cycling, juicing classes), but this week I decided I was going to go to the Pure Barre class (because I can't really afford the class, but would love to go. And I think I'm taking some barre classes later this week in Atlanta.) I convinced a gym friend to go with me (I did ask several people) and we went out there. (She said she only hates me a little bit now).

1) If you do a class a Lululemon, bring your yoga mat. I forgot mine, but they have a few you can borrow. Their mat felt great under my feet. I was a fan.

2) The Pure Barre class was crazy intense. I forgot how bad at it I am. It's nonstop directions. Tuck and pulse and then once you've figured it out, you're on to the next movement. I think I'd get better at it if I took more classes, but their normal rate is $195 a month. Ouch! I do think it's something I should work on, so I'm holding out hope for a groupon or sale, but given how many of their classes are full, I'm not sure that's going to happen.

I survived the class (with only three corrections from the owner :) And then I decided to look around. The clothes are so stinking cute. They had a cute long sleeve purple top ($68) that I was eyeing. I wanted to try a headband ($12) because I bet theirs would stay on. I ended up getting a sports bra, because I really wanted a strappy one. I also got a $59 sweater. It was on sale (and their sale is final sale). It was a really nicely made wool sweater with thumb holes and kangaroo pockets. I think it would cost that much anywhere else. I plan to wear it to my conference this coming week. So I guess they got their money's worth out of their free class—a lot of people bought stuff.

And while I didn't buy any $100 see-through yoga pants, I am a fan. Their stuff is cute and made well. Now, I just have to wait for a sale. (Do those ever happen?)

PS) When class was over, the retired university gymnastics coach (a local celebrity) came in and shopped a bit. Since I blogged about gymnastics recently (and she was at the sneak peek) I thought that was a nice tie-in.

The Nerdy Girl’s Guide to the Barre Method

I’ve been hearing a lot about Pure Barre, a ballet based fitness chain that’s popular in Athens. One of the instructors also goes to Aerofit and offered me a class on their Free Friend Friday. I was curious about what this was (and she assured me I didn’t have to be a dancer to take the class), so I tried it.

In my town, it’s in a little studio in a busy shopping center (near the Moe’s I go to and the pet store where I get dog and cat food.) You walk upstairs and there’s gorgeous studio and storefront ($90 workout pants.)

There’s a room with cubbies for your stuff, and for you to take what you need to workout: weights, a red mat, a red tube.

I then walk into a silent dance studio—full of toned women in Pure Barre socks. Thankfully, I have a friend in the class and we were chatting before class began.

The instructor is at the front of the class—on a headset. (There were 20+ people in the class). And she guides you through the workout—but after the first demo she walks around the room correcting body position—move your feet out, hands in, bend your knees, on your toes etc. She calls out kudos to those doing a good job. And it’s all encouraging, and nonstop. There is no break. There’s not even time to complain to the person next to you!

For some of the exercises I wasn’t sure what to do and because the instructor was walking around, I was trying to figure out who looked like they new what they were doing and copying them. I’d probably get the hang of this with more experience. Hopefully I wasn’t flailing too gracelessly and didn’t look TOO stupid.

The class is set up in rows—kind of a choose-your-own space situation. Part of the class is in these rows. Arm stuff with the little weights, Jane Fonda-esque leg lifts, crunches on the little red bar (killed me!). And tucking. That’s the signature move. It’s tucking your hips underneath you, bringing your tailbone down and out. Maybe the tiniest bit like an athletic baby twerk. (Your booty goes a little back when you contract).

The other part of the class is on the bar. It’s not really ballet though. It’s holding on to the bar and doing leg work—on your toes, holding one leg out, doing circles. And this part really makes your thighs burn.

And everything is in a 10-count. I kept dropping my form after 8, being relieved to be done, only for the instructor to still be counting. Oops. I’m not even a dancer and I’m used to an 8-count.

I survive the first class, fumbling through most of the motions. My thighs and abs were burning. (The crunches on the red ball really got me.) My legs hurt walking down the stairs on the way out. If I went to more classes, I’m sure I’d know what I was doing soon enough. I thought it was a good workout (but wasn’t too tired to go tumble at Aerofit for an hour afterwards).

Quick guide to Pure Barre

Verdict: I'd sum up the Pure Barre experience in one word—intense. It also worked everything I want to tone: core and thighs. Exactly what I need. And no need to be a former ballerina. I thought there was only the finest bit of dance/ ballet in the workout.

Atmosphere: For those serious about working out. This isn’t a giggle with your friends class. There isn’t even time for talking. It’s non-stop. When the workout gets too intense and you’re ready to quit, the instructor calls out stretching, so it’s active rest—with no real breaks.

Intensity: Super intense. Like Aerobics on caffeine pills and Red Bull. One of the most intense classes I’ve been in.

Price: $20 for one class. A monthly membership is $200.

What to wear: Leggings or capris, a yoga-looking top and socks. The website urges against wearing shorts. They want your leg muscles to stay warm.

Would I go again: Yes. I thought it was a great workout. I’d love it if I could afford to do this once a week or once a month and I’ve heard you get more benefit if you go everyday, but at their prices I can’t afford more than once a month.