I love fitness classes.
Besides running, they’re my favorite way to work out. For one thing, being in a class with an instructor for a set length of time while surrounded by other people motivates you to really put the time and effort into making it a great workout. A fitness class is your time to really focus on improving your physical strength and your overall health.
I recently made the decision to venture outside of my usual yoga and Pilates scene and into a new type of strength training class. This desire to try something new led me to discover my love for Barre.
For those who don’t know, Barre is a strength-oriented workout that works to tone all areas of the body. Many of the exercises that are done during the class actually involve a ballet barre. The barre functions as a source of stability and support during many parts of the workout, and allows you to really focus on the muscle you’re working. The workout itself is very similar to Pilates, in that it involves muscle-specific exercises that are done using only your natural body weight. However, in addition to the barre, weights and balls are also utilized throughout the workout to up the intensity and maximize the positive effects.
The workout involves a large quantity of small repetitions that tone and strengthen your body. In the course of an hour, the class allows you to work your legs, gluts, arms, abs, and back. The exercises are set to music, making the class even more fun and high energy.
One of the most interesting parts of Barre is that instructors encourage you to exert yourself until your body physically shakes. The idea behind this is that muscle shaking is a sign of strengthening and toning, and is actually an indicator that you are creating physical change. This felt somewhat strange to me at first, as I was used to letting up if my muscles started to shake during a workout. However, now that I understand the rationale behind the shake, I strive to push myself not to take a break when the workout gets tough.
Of all of the fitness classes I’ve attended, Barre is by far the most challenging and the most rewarding. This type of workout takes not only physical stamina but also mental determination. One of the central components of the workout is focusing on the muscle group that you’re working and making sure that all of the effort and exertion is coming from that one muscle.
You’ll get the most out of the class if you maintain a positive energy and optimistic outlook, and if you remind yourself that all of this hard work will lead to great results! It can be very tempting to give up and take a rest after countless repetitions, so maintaining a positive mindset can really go a long way.
I would highly recommend Barre to anyone who likes to exercise in a group fitness environment and for anyone who likes to work out in a creative and exciting way. If you’re interested in trying Barre, there are classes available at Tu Sei Bella, a dance fitness studio in Granger, IN. Visit the website for more info. Keep working hard collegiettes!
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