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Pure Barre: my journey so far

Pure Barre equipment

I am going to categorize this post in a list of “things I have been planning to write about but haven’t had time to yet.”  The reason why will present itself as this unfolds, so bear with me. Today I want to talk about Pure Barre. Specifically, how I found it, and why I love it!

Things have been relatively quiet here on the blog for the past two (ok, more like 3) months. I know this. That is because I’ve been a wee bit busy taking on a new adventure! If you asked me at the beginning of 2014 what I thought I’d be doing by this time in 2015, I never would have dreamed it up. So, let’s start from the beginning.

Pure Barre studio

How I found Pure Barre

I had a pretty strict gym routine. Justin and I would head to the gym on most weeknights (and some weekend mornings) to weight train and get in some cardio. All of a sudden in late April, disaster struck. I developed a painful case of tendonitis in my left thumb, which made it impossible for me to attempt gripping weights and putting any kind of stress on my wrist. What was I to do? I moped around for a few weeks in self pity, heading to the gym but just running like a hamster in a wheel on the treadmill. Fun fact: I hate running on the treadmill. I knew there had to be something else.

So, I took to the Internet and thought about trying something completely new for a change. It just so happened that I’d been hearing about Pure Barre classes from a few acquaintances, so I looked up where the nearest studio was located. I registered for my first class and headed there the next day. And the rest is history.

Pure Barre balls

The first class

I’m not going to lie – even if you are a physically fit individual, taking your first Pure Barre class is going to be a bit of a new experience (and a challenge). You’ll work muscles you didn’t know existed. You’ll be a little overwhelmed as you go through the routine. Paying attention to the teacher is important and confusing at first. You’ll have to learn the difference between a tuck and a pulse, and realize that making one inch movements is a LOT harder than you would think.

I went in thinking I was going to be good at it, and I quickly realized that it was going to take a few classes to understand the technique fully. It does, by the way – I would say you need to take at least 3-5 classes to fully understand what is happening and to get comfortable. On my very first class I experienced what it felt like to have my legs shake (which is a scary scenario when you first see it happening, but you learn to embrace it for how great it is). I honestly needed help getting up out of bed the day after my first class: I was so sore! But in a good way.

Pure Barre stretch

Getting hooked

After the first class, I knew I was hooked on Pure Barre. I found myself attending classes regularly, and getting excited to hop in my car to go to the studio. My flexibility increased SO dramatically, as well as my core strength. I went from being able to get about a third of the way into a splits position into almost fully sitting into the splits a few months later. Being able to physically see how much more flexible and strong my body was getting was definitely a huge hook. That, paired with the flow of class, the music, and the interaction and support I received during classes. It all added up.

Pure Barre sticky socks

The next step

About 6 months after taking my first Pure Barre class (late November 2014), an opportunity presented itself. A new Pure Barre studio is opening nearby, and at that time they were searching for teachers. I immediately jumped on the opportunity and got in touch. Despite my fear and nervousness, I auditioned. What did I have to lose, I thought? The next thing I knew, I was being booked on a flight to South Carolina to attend teacher training for four days the following week. What?!?!

Training was a whirlwind. Pure Barre from 8am to 4pm in the training facility, but really more like eating, sleeping, and breathing Pure Barre 24 hours a day. I was able to bond with my fellow teachers during that time – it felt like we were all college roommates as we sat in our hotel room eating pizza and studying into the wee hours of the night. Who would have thought that after meeting as complete strangers at the airport on a Wednesday night that we’d end up being fast friends by Sunday?

After returning home, it was crunch time. I spent the next few weeks practicing diligently so I could take my teacher test. There were days that I just wanted to throw in the towel and sit down on the floor and cry; it got a bit overwhelming to balance work, practicing, getting errands/chores done, and having some personal time to myself. But thankfully it was all worth it in the end, and now I am so excited to be able to help others to get the most out of their Pure Barre experience alongside me when the studio opens in a few short weeks! The journey continues…

Have you been to a barre class before?

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    • I hope you enjoyed it! I definitely didn’t realize how much I’d love something like that until I tried it out!

  • THANK YOU for posting about this! I started taking Pure Barre classes at the end of December and have been going once, sometimes twice, a week since then. I really like it and can feel myself getting stronger. I have been going to a personal trainer since August but I feel like the combination of that plus Pure Barre is helping me get stronger more rapidly, and it is awesome. I still can’t do everything at PB and have to pace myself and take breaks, but I am encouraged by the changes in my core and my legs, and so I continue to return. There are things I don’t love about PB but in general I really do like it. I would love to read more posts from you from a technique perspective but also advice from a what to wear (and where to buy sticky socks besides just at the studio) perspective and a what should I be eating in combination with this type of workout perspective. Also, if you have any ideas for ways to do a similar workout at home on the days I can’t make it to the Barre, I am all ears! 🙂 Eager to read everything you have to say on the topic!

    • Thanks so much Debbie! It’s so great to hear that you can feel yourself getting stronger. That is one of the things I love about Pure Barre – I can really see the improvement…whether it is pushing myself to not come out of a position and embracing the shake…sitting down farther into a splits stretch…or the fact that I no longer have irritation in my lower back because my core is so much stronger.

      I will definitely keep those suggestions in mind as I continue making some more content! I am ALL about the barre wardrobe lately…I don’t think I’ve purchased “regular” clothes for a few months now…it’s all for barre class!

  • I love barre classes! I’ve never done Pure Barre, but I’ve done Cardio Barre and Pop Physique, which are similar brands out here. I seriously love it, and this post is making me itch to get back to the barre! I have definitely noticed my core strength is not where it used to be when I was at Barre three times a week. I’m going to look up the options near me!

    • Thanks so much Linda! Life really does have a funny way of leading you in the right direction…even when sometimes you aren’t sure why. It all works itself out in the end (with maybe a little help along the way)!

  • I loved reading this post! I also fell in love with Pure Barre after my first class and have been hooked ever since. I would love to follow along your teaching journey..that is so exciting, congrats!

    • Thanks Nicole! I definitely plan on keeping up with the details – I’m glad to hear you are as hooked on Pure Barre as I am! It is definitely a highlight of my day when I get those 55 minutes in…

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