Did you notice I got a blog makeover? I am loving the new design and layout! Feel free to browse around and let me know what you think. HUGE thanks to Vanessa at With Great Heart Creative Studio!
And I realized that I haven’t posted my workout plan for the week! So here goes– this week is my longest run for half marathon training, and I’ll be doing it solo. Wish me luck (and good weather!)
Monday- Tabata class
Tuesday- Run
Wednesday- Run
Thursday- Barre class
Friday- Long run (12 miles)
Saturday & Sunday- rest (traveling for Easter)
Speaking of workouts, here is more of a deep dive into one of my workouts that I’ve been doing recently:
Barre class was something that I have never tried or even heard of until not too long ago. Typically, my workout routine has mainly been mostly running with a few group fitness classes thrown in for some variety. But I had been hearing about how awesome barre classes were and luckily, a Pure Barre studio opened nearby so I had to try it!
Image above courtesy of lilablog.com.
What is a barre class like? Well according to Pure Barre’s website:
In just 55 minutes, you will achieve a total body workout targeted at the areas of the body women struggle with most: seat, hips, thighs, abs, and arms. Each strength section of the workout is followed by a stretch section, which will help you achieve a long, lean, and strong physique (no bulk!) The Pure Barre technique is low-impact, protecting your joints by avoiding any bouncing or jumping.
Pure Barre is truly the fastest, most effective way to change the shape of your body, producing results in as few as 10 classes!
The concentration involved while taking Pure Barre allows you to block “life” out for the hour, creating the mental benefits similarly obtained by the practice of yoga or meditation. A transformed body and a clear head in just one hour—it doesn’t get much better than this!
Right when you enter the Pure Barre studio, it’s very open and inviting. You don’t have to be a dancer or ballerina either…it’s for women of all shapes, sizes and ages. Everyone is there to get in a great workout, and even a Pure Barre veteran will be challenged at class.
Wondering what to wear? I recommend wearing leggings or capris (no shorts) and a top that is form fitting so you can check your posture and poses in the mirror. In fact, right when you enter the studio, there is a great retail section with all kinds of cute gear, including sticky socks (which help you grip the floor!)
As for the workout itself, it’s no joke! From the moment you start, you are making tiny movements that work every area of your body. The Pure Barre instructors use the mantra “lift, tone, burn” and experience that in every aspect. The instructors are wonderful and make sure your form is correct, while keeping the class moving.
You also use equipment, like bands, balls and hand weights (trust me, you’ll feel the burn even with 1 pound dumbbells!)
Anne, Katie and I recently took a class together and had a blast…it hurt oh so good!
I have taken a few classes so far and hope to continue incorporating barre into my half marathon training. If I keep it up, I have no doubt I’ll have some seriously lean legs, toned arms and sculpted abs.
And now here’s the fun part! Rachel, the manager at Pure Barre in Deerfield, IL, was gracious enough to let me giveaway a 5 class package. That’s a $105 value! Use the Rafflecopter widget to enter below.
(Note: classes can only be used at the Deerfield location. Classes must be used within 30 days of activation.)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
And you get can a whopping 10 extra entries in the giveaway if you post a photo of yourself in a Pure Barre move on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter (just be sure to tag Pure Barre Deerfield in your posts!) Looking for ideas? Here are a few (note that I’m still working on perfecting my form)…or just be creative!
I’ll plan to post more about my experience with Pure Barre in the coming months so stay tuned!
What kinds of questions or topics related to Pure Barre would you like to see on the blog?
Good luck…hope to see you at the barre!
I’m glad we could finally take a class together! It was so much fun, but man, my “seat” was pretty sore for a while after that.
YES! Mine too- ugh. But I guess that’s a good thing right?! Thanks for going with me :-)
I’ve always wanted to take one of these classes, but I haven’t been able to get myself to put out the money for it. Do you think following the Pure Barre DVDs would be just as effective?
It can be a little pricey- but this studio offers a complimentary “Breaking down the Barre” fundamentals class every few weeks, and they have “Free Friend Fridays!” so you can try it out in person. I think the DVDs are great (and cheaper than classes for sure), but you don’t have an instructor there to check your form. I think going in person for a couple classes would be great to get everything down to start! You should check with your local studio to see if they offer similar classes…
Loving the new layout Valerie!!!!! Looks like a lot of fun the barre workout.
Agi:)
vodkainfusedlemonade.com
Thanks Agi! It is SO fun and so challenging- love it! Do you have Pure Barre studios in Canada?
The blog makeover looks great! Very cool about this giveaway too!
Thanks Ginny! Do you have a Pure Barre studio nearby?
This looks like so much fun! Good luck with your long run and love the new look!
Thanks Laura! Hopefully the snow will melt by Friday?! Did you get any in Milwaukee?
Oh most definitely! I am betting it will be melted by tomorrow though.
I haven’t gotten to take any yet because I didn’t know of any close by me but the deerfield and deer park location are super close!!! Would love to take some of the classes I’m always looking for fun new workout classes to take.
That’s fantastic! Where do you live? (And I didn’t know you went to VU- so did I! What year did you graduate?) Would love to meet you and take a class sometime!
OMG how crazy!? Love it! I’m in north Arlington Heights right now. Graduated from VU in 2007. I love finding VU alums in the most random spots : ) I’d love to meet up sometime … blogger and VU meetup!
YES! That sounds fantastic! I graduated in 2008. What a small world!
I have been wanting to try! Now you really got me looking into classes. Good luck on ur long run! I’ll be doing mine Friday too with the traveling this weekend.
You should give it a try Heather! It’s so good for runners! Hopefully the snow (really?!) will melt in time for our long runs!
Love the new look! Great info on the classes, thanks for getting me hooked!
Thanks Kelly :-) Can’t wait to feel the burn again with you! Are you sore still from Sunday?
Not sore from Sunday, I went again yesterday :-)
WOO HOO! You go girl! Did you end up wearing that sweet tank you found at Marshall’s when the photographer was there?
Yes, I wore it! Everyone commented on it. We’ll have to see if it makes any of the pics!
I had so much fun and would love to go again!
Would love that! Good luck! (And they have Free Friend Fridays so we can always do that- and I highly recommend their “Breaking down the Barre” fundamentals class– they offer it every now and again- still a tough workout!!)
I tried it for the first time last week and was sore for an entire week! It definitely kicked my butt, or should I say lifted? Sore is better than sorry.
Oh yeah, I love that they use the “lifted” term! Glad you enjoyed it (and totally agree- sore is better than sorry! Well said!)
I have been so curious about these classes since everyone raves about them! They sound really fun, but challenging. I’d love to give them a try since I could use some serious toning…
Loving the new blog look! Good luck on your long run. You’ll do great!! :)
Oh they are SO fantastic….and a great supplement to running! Would love to go with you sometime! Deerfield offers a “free friend Friday” to any of their classes- we should go! They also offer a complimentary Breaking Down the Barre class that I highly recommend to help learn the moves.
Thanks Emily :-) Hope to see you soon- donut, barre, run date soon?!
Love the new look! Especially the files. Too cute.
Thanks for hosting the giveaway!!!
Oooh! I love dancing, and have found my favorite workouts to include elements of dance. I always wanted to be a ballerina when I was little but my parents didn’t let me, so this whole barre workout has been intriguing to me! I definitely, definitely want to give it a try!
Me too! I wanted to live a life like the people in the movie Center Stage! You should definitely look up Pure Barre studios in Minnesota- I am pretty sure they have them- you’d love it!