Sunday, January 8, 2012

Barre3 Love Hate

Sara and I have been taking Barre3 classes - sucked in by a Groupon deal.  I was intrigued by the use of a barre - dancey, right!?  Well, it's a little different than I expected and I'm still not sure how I feel about it.

It's primarily a strengthening class.  Yes, they attempt to raise your heart rate a bit, but the majority of the class is spent on core, arm and leg work - lengthening and resistance training using the barre, a mat, a ball, and a yoga strap.  It's meant to feel sort of yoga-y and pilates like.

The first class we went to was a "foundations" class where they "go a little slower."  I was not a fan.  One of the reasons I don't like yoga is that it's too slow.  I know it's a good work out to hold something for 5 minutes, but I'm not interested.  Plus I felt sick because I hadn't eaten anything.

The second class we went to was a lot better.  We ALMOST didn't go in because we were late, but the instructor came out into the waiting area and physically dragged us into the room.  We really liked her, AND we liked the class a lot more than the first.  I particularly enjoyed that we went through things a lot quicker.

Today we took our third class and both agreed that we liked it less than the second.  It may have been the teacher's style.  This class ends our Groupon, but we have ANOTHER deal that we bought for 5 classes through Plum District.  That deal worked out to about $5 or $6 a class - how could we not do it? The classes are too expensive (for me) at full price, so I'm glad I've been able to find these promotions.

Here's the thing about Barre3 classes.  You spend the whole time thinking "I could do this at home - why am I paying to be here?"  The movements are small, and yeah we use the barre sometimes, but a lot of these things you can recreate at home.  ESPECIALLY since Sara and I both bought the DVD (which came with the ball!).  What's hysterical is that neither of us has actually used the DVD at home yet....which I guess is WHY we pay to go to class.

I get frustrated that these "simple" moves can be REALLY difficult!!!  Oh, I forgot to mention that we also use weights.  Well, I don't...(because it's too hard!!) but other people do.  I really do make an effort to push myself through some of the things that I think are too hard.  I imagine my old trainer is there pushing me through (Hi Jeff!) - he'd be so proud.  (Or not...I used to be much better at lifting weights).  I do realize that eventually these moves will become easier as I become stronger - right?

I did realize today that I DO need to be better about eating before going to class.  I've definitely had moments in the class where I've felt that my lack of strength was because I hadn't eaten.  It reminds me of how I used to feel at some of my old training sessions when I would rush straight from work and not have time to snack. (I guess some things don't change, huh Jeff??)  Of course, the problem now is that I'm taking these Barre3 classes so early in the morning, I "forget" to eat because I'm not really awake by the time I leave the house. *sigh*

Before January is over I WILL try the DVD at home, and I'm going to make an effort to remember some of the things we do in class so I can do them at home too.  Today it was this weird diamond leg thing that you do while laying on your side.  I can't even really describe them, but trust me - they were killer.

It is also worth mentioning that one of the best things about Barre3 class, besides hanging out with Sara, is going to Eltana Wood Fired Bagels after class. :-)

Photo from the Seattle Times

P.S. With this being my 4th post in 2012, I have now doubled the size of my blog - yay!

1 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh Barre class, the good ol' days. Maybe I need to start doing Barre again!

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