Fitness Friday: Step Up to the Barre

With motivation abundant the first month of 2015, I figured I’d share another workout I’m loving…it’s another edition of Fitness Friday! 

Yesterday, I stepped up to the barre for the first time!

If you’ve been following C it Nutritionally, you know my obsession with the Tracy Anderson Method. Well, so do all of my friends — and nearly anyone I meet — so it took my barre-loving friend, Arielle, MONTHS to get to me try barre with her! She knew I would love it because it aims to give you a “dancer’s body,” sculpting long, lean muscles with tons of isotonic movements (those small movements that make you want to cry).

So while I’m off from school and could make it to a quieter mid-day class, I decided to give it a shot!

{WOWZA!}

Now I think I’m in fairly good shape with my consistent and always-changing workouts, but this was definitely different. If you’ve never done barre, small movements — I’m talking tiiiiiny — make up the majority of the workout. And I felt the burn! 

First, it was “feels like” negative 10 degrees outside in NYC yesterday, so bravo to me for even leaving my cozy apartment (ha!). Second, the class moved quickly. The music was upbeat and I was pulsing away! Yes, my muscles were crying at times, but I think I did pretty well for my first class! 

I’ll definitely be going back…although I don’t think I’ll be able to walk tomorrow! 

I tried FlyBarre, but [from what I’m told] most barre classes follow the same principles. If you want to try a barre class, here are a few things you should know first: 

Sticky socks are nice, but not necessary. I got a pair of those “sticky” socks, but even so I was slipping in them at times, so I moved them aside and went barefoot. 

Wear tight clothing (leggings and top) so it doesn’t get in your way. This is also important so your instructor can correct any movements. Barre is composed of small movements, so a tiny adjustment to an angle can make all the difference! 

Get there early (this really goes for any fitness class!). You want to be set up and ready to go when class begins! 

Push yourself, but there’s always your next class. I pushed myself to my limit (literally shaking in my boots socks), but knew when I needed a reprieve. 

Don’t forget to smile! Sometimes during those really tough sets, smiling makes them easier (hey, I think it’s science-backed too!). 

Be present. Lock your cell phone away and really just pay attention to YOU! Don’t compare yourself to others in the class…you are on a different journey than they are. 

Stay for cool down! I may have taken a lunch hour class, but too many people left just as we were stretching at the end of class. Stretching is an ESSENTIAL part to any exercise regimen, so don’t skip out! 

Chug that water after class! Be sure to really replenish your water stores and flush out those toxins! 

Pat yourself on the back. Even if you stopped, if your leg wasn’t perfectly straight, or if you could only do half of the sets, just going to a new class deserve a pat on the back. Job well done! 

After barre I stopped by the market and picked up a few things for lunch and recipe testing and DEVOURED this kale salad…and tons of water!!! 

Have you ever tried barre? Let me know what you think! 

XO 

P.S. Is there a workout I should try that you’d like me to write about? Let me know!