Roll the Hip, Lift the Foot

Yesterday I took the 8:30am class at Pure Barre's Cherry Creek location.  I rushed in because I was running late due to a wreck.  So a little flustered I jumped right in to a class that was packed!  This was my favorite Pure Barre class that I have taken.  All the classes have similar moves but for some reason the format of this class better suited me.  It was probably because we did a lot with the double bands and balls.

One of my favorite moves during the class was sitting on the floor with one leg crossed in front and the other to the side.  Holding on to the bar, we first just rolled hip forward of the leg that was to the side.  The keeping knee down, lifted foot up and down.

Courtesy: Pure Barre
This is the knee on floor, lift foot move.

Then picking up knee slightly off floor and pushing it back.  We did these slow then quick pulses.  The moves are small but tough.  

Jump Start Day With Pure Barre

I could really tell it was Daylight Savings Time weekend as I drove over to Pure Barre then went in for the 8:30am class.  There were even less folks than normal on the roads on an early Sunday morning and the class was smaller.

I had a goal to get my workout done early today because my list of things to do is extremely long.  This was my sixth Pure Barre class.  I'm trying to get in at least once a week because I love the isometric moves and that the class is based in Pilates, ballet, dance and other forms of exercise that focus on the long and lean body instead of bulk up.

The water ski series and some of the abs series are still really tough for me but now I'm determined to master them!  Next time you're doing leg lifts or abs thing small movements.  Try moves in an up and hold; then up, up and hold; then pulse fashion.  That will give you an idea of what exercises are like in a Pure Barre class.  I just keep thinking long and lean with goal to look like a ballerina to get me through the class.  Pure Barre is purely fantastic to jump start my Sundays when I'm home in Denver and not traveling.

If you've never gone to a Pure Barre class or what to see what it looks like here's a promo.  If there's not a Pure Barre in your city they do sell DVD on their website.

Barre Friday

I was bound and determined to make it to a Pure Barre class yesterday.  I signed up for the noon class at the Cherry Creek location. Perfect time for in between work and my haircut and highlights at Posh Salon.

Needing a little energy boost I downed the Vuka workout drink and off I went into class.  I kept thinking just give it what you've got for 55 minutes and workout will be done.  Also knew I'd be much happier with myself doing the class than not doing a workout at all!  Plus, heading off to Palm Springs for a quick trip this weekend I had to do something.

Lindsey was the instructor and the class quickly became packed.  Instead of using the band with handles, we grabbed double ring bands.  I knew immediately this class would be a little different.  A lot of the moves are similar but I loved the change the double band brought to class, especially with abs.  

I did have to laugh when tying the band around the barre was a mental challenge for me.  Guess I get a pass since I'd been up since before 3am!  Using the band for the abs series made a huge difference for me.  Pulling down on the band while doing ab tucks and other moves just helped it click with my body and head of how intense the ab moves should be.  Breathing making a big difference too.  Sharp exhales with moves make the difference. 

Belly Up To The Barre

Love getting in an early AM class at Pure Barre on Sundays.  Just a great way to kick start the day.  I headed over to the Highlands location for the 8:30am class.  Katy was the instructor.  After hitting the barre for inner and outer thigh work we did more mat work for glutes than I'd done in other classes.  I do like that the classes vary just slightly.

My favorite move we did today is basically when you belly up to the barre in a water ski position.  At the barre, heels together and high on toes. Standing close to the barre with knees slightly bent, one hand holding on to barre, lean back with other arm extended and hips lift high towards the barre.   You're in a water ski position and from here doing a series of lifts and tucks.  Tucks in that position are tough.  It's such a killer small isometric move.

Still not getting fully the abs series when you sit under the bar against the wall but that will come.  Love that the class ends with a 3 minute blast. Just when you think you're done doing lower back work and cat/cow stretch....here comes the blast!

Purely Sunday

Yesterday I took my third Pure Barre class.  I woke up early (of course) and decided to take the first class of the day at 8:30am at the Highlands location.  So glad I did!  The instructor, Nicci, was great.  She gave me a couple of pointers and was really good about walking around and adjusting alignment of participants.  Getting that extra tuck in the moves makes the difference!  She really help with the ab series near the end where you are against the wall with one or both arms pressing up against bar and one leg extended up.  She gave the tip of really be conscious of pressing through the heel with the foot planted on the ground.  That made a big difference in the move for me!

I'm thinking Pure Barre Sunday morning class is definitely my new thing when I'm in town.  After three classes, I'm really feeling like I'm getting the flow of the class and moves.  Yes my legs still shake on some of the leg and glutes series and I love it!

Purely What I Needed

Pure Barre was purely what I needed Thursday.  I've just had a really busy and at times stressful week with my to do list seeming to grow longer each day.  While I was trying to finish up a couple of things and pack for my weekend San Antonio trip I almost bailed on workout.  I don't normally workout after 4pm.  That's late when you have to get up at 2:45am.  But I put on my workout clothes, jumped in the car, and headed off to Pure Barre for the 4:15pm class at their Cherry Creek location.

I'm so glad I went!  I knew in the warm up and weights portion of class that I didn't just want to be there but needed to be there.  Being able to shut the rest of the world out and focus on the workout did wonders for clearing my head and my stress level.  Guess that's the beauty of a class that based in doing small isometric moves.  The instructor Ashley was great.  I like that the class was a little different from my first one Sunday at the Highlands location, but that many of the moves and format was the same.

Raising The Barre To Lift & Tone

I've had a few friends tell me they are huge Pure Barre fans.  Well, when Pure Barre offered three classes in a Groupon recently I decided I would give it a try.  I took my first class today....and loved it, shaky legs and all!

The technique uses small isometric moves to lift and tone with moves based in the principles of ballet, Pilates, and dance.  Each strength series is followed by a stretch series in the class.  That process creates long, lean muscles without the bulk.  Think of a ballerina's body - long, lean, and toned.  That's the goal!

As a newbie I didn't feel out of place at all, except that I didn't have on the cool sticky socks that everyone else in the class had on.  It doesn't matter your flexibility.  You're too focused on the small intense movements to even notice what others in the class are doing!  I couldn't believe the class flew by so quickly.

There was one series where we were at the barre, standing on one leg, doing a series of movements leaning on barre and other leg extended out and lifting, squeezing, lifting, and squeezing.  Once we went up on our toes on the standing leg, my leg starting shaking so badly I actually thought I was going to collapse.  That's actually a good thing.  Pure Barre targets the tough areas for women - abs, butt, and thighs.  Don't you want a toned tummy, lifted tush, and no cellulite tight thighs?  I do and adding Pure Barre into my workout regiment.

Here's the great thing.  There are locations across the country and you can do a single class.  Give it a try....bet you'll feel the sweat, shake, and some soreness from the first class like me.  I'm hooked and can't wait to take my next class!