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 “Pure Barre is a total-body workout that creates flat abs, thin thighs, lifted seats and toned arms while burning fat,” says Chelsea Gregory, owner of the Huntington Beach Pure Barre. “Pure Barre utilizes the ballet barre to perform small isometric movements set to great music.” Still interested? I read up on barre-style exercises the night before I went in for my lesson, and most of the online reviewers were amazed by the workout’s difficulty and great results. To be honest, the reviews didn’t scare me. Being a college/European club water polo athlete, I am used to sweating, leg cramps and fatigue. However, the last review I read before I went to bed, posted by two-time Olympic swimmer and gold medalist Kaitlin Sandeno, really got my attention: “This was literally the hardest workout I have ever done out of the pool,” she wrote. “I was almost embarrassed by how poorly I thought I did.” Now, that gave me nightmares. Sandeno’s words still haunted me as, mustering some faux confidence, I walked into Pure Barre’s Huntington Beach studio. The instructor greeted me and showed me the light weights, mats, stretch bands and 5-inch-round ball that I would be using. As the studio filled up with women of all ages and shapes, I felt like I could get this 55-minute workout done with no problem. I even thought about going for a run afterward. Well, I never went running. This is a total-body workout that utilizes the abs, thighs, arms and glutes by performing Pilates and small movements on a ballet barre. The music is upbeat and fast-paced to keep you motivated to push through those small, agonizing movements. One example: Holding on to the barre while keeping my heels together and toes apart, I lifted my toes up a few inches and then squatted up and down mere inches at a time while maintaining good posture. I felt an incredible burn for such simple and small movements, and sweat rolled down my face. I am quite the abdominal workout fan and have done a wide variety of core exercises during my athletic career. Again, overconfidence got the better of me as we sat under the barre with our mats up against the wall. We then grabbed the outside of the bar and lifted one leg straight up while holding the other leg a few inches off the ground and inhaling short breaths to increase core strength. It was killer, and it didn’t help that my legs were still shaking from the previous exercise. I repeatedly looked at the instructor and the clock until the magic words came out of her mouth: “Switch.” It was a different type of workout: full-body, intensive and fun. Not only are the instructors encouraging, the women in the class inspire one another to keep us pushing it to our limits. My feeling of empowerment when leaving the studio was priceless. purebarre.com |
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