I get asked regularly about what I do to stay in shape. Well……I guess my answer would be to just move. I do think that the more you move, the better shape you will be in. Over the years I have done a little bit of everything, from running in my 30’s to step aerobics and jazzercise in my 40’s, boot camp, personal training, swimming, and pilates in my 50’s. Next week I turn 60 and I cannot do what I used to do, as much as I hate to admit it. I have neck and feet issues that I have to keep in mind when planning my exercise routine. I have recently discovered Barre and I love it…I guess you could call it the barre effect!
It all started over 50 years ago, when in 1959 Lotte Berk opened up The Lotte Berk Method on Manchester Street in London. After suffering a back injury, Lotte Berk got the idea combining her ballet barre training with rehabilitative therapy, and thus The Lotte Berk Method was born. In 1971 the method was introduced to the United States when Lydia Bach, one of Lotte’s students, opened The Lotte Berk Method in Manhattan.
What exactly are barre classes? Well, the roots can be traced back to the days of Lotte berk. but each studio and each teacher puts their own spin on the method. In general, barre classes are a workout designed to provide a fitness enthusiast an incredible work out that is both fun and effective and promises to give you a dancer’s lean physique. Many celebrities, such as Madonna and Kelly Ripa, are huge barre advocates, speaking to the effectiveness of these classes.
Barre is a workout routine that combines elements of ballet, pilates and yoga into an efficient and effective workout. You might call it Fitness Ballet, meaning ballet inspired moves. By using your own bodyweight as resistance in while challenging your core stability and balance, barre classes manage to give you the streamlined body of a dancer while reinforcing your strength and muscle tone. Barre workouts are not only very effective but they are also fun as most classes are choreographed to amazing, upbeat music. Many become hooked due to this fun factor, and a result of their frequent barre-going that they become slimmer, stronger and healthier.
Barre studios are typically designed like regular dance studios with large open spaces and mirrors surrounding the room. Similar to pilates and yoga classes, shoes are not worn in barre classes. Students are either barefoot or wear ballet shoes or grippy socks. The class will usually incorporate some props into the workout routine, such as yoga blocks, playground balls, resistance bands and light hand weights. Most classes are generally just an hour long and will include a 5-10 minute warm up, followed by a 10-15 minute upper body work out using bands or light weights, then 20-30 minutes spent at the barre working the legs and seat, then a 10 minute abdominal section, followed by a short cooldown/final stretch.
Barre classes are available for all levels and are usually customized to fit all fitness levels and body types. A well trained barre instructor will be able to work with all levels of fitness.
This brings me to share a little about my instructor, Paige Irwin. I take her class at Iditarod Fitness Studio located at 2590 Falcon Pass Houston, TX 77062. Paige comes to us with a complete ballet and dance resume where she worked for 12 years in New York performing on Broadway and then to Las Vegas where she performed in the original Hair Spray. Now married and living in our area, Paige wanted to use her ballet and dance skills so she decided to start a barre class in Galveston.
Since the recent opening of Iditarod Fitness, Paige has come on board as a barre instructor as well as an Aerial Yoga instructor. Her class has grown so much that the studio has added more time slots to give everyone the opportunity to experience this great workout.
Iditarod is a new studio in the Bay Area of Houston, TX. They offer a variety of group trainings such as Pilates, TRX, Aerial Yoga, Barre among other workouts. The concept allows you the option to change your workout up as often as you like. So many times I get bored with the same old thing, but this way I will never get bored. You can try any of the classes for free before making any commitments. You can pay per class by buying a package or buy a membership.
For a limited time, Iditarod is offering my readers a nice discount. From now until April 30, 2015 you can get 3 free classes or $50 off a package or a membership. Just tell them that you read this post or use Promo Code SHESHE15. For more information about Iditarod Fitness please go to their website www.iditarodfitness.com or call 832-240-4033 to speak to a representative. Once again Iditarod is located at 2590 Falcon Pass Houston, TX 77062
………….NEED A MAT?……….
I promise that no matter where you are in your fitness level, the barre class could be just what the doctor ordered.
………..SHOP A BARRE LOOK………..
This post was sponsored by Iditarod Fitness Center.
