This morning has been a go, go, go kind of morning. I am currently blogging from the Jacksonville airport as I wait to board my flight to Denver where I’ll have a brief layover en route to Salt Lake City. Once I land, I’ll meet up with my new blogging buddies and join the rest of the Columbia Omniten gang in Park City. I’m ready for the fun to begin!
Now let’s rewind a bit to yesterday evening…
Pure Barre
Last night, after I arrived in Jacksonville, my sister and I met up for a 6 p.m. workout at Pure Barre in Jacksonville Beach. We really wanted to take a class together over Christmas but never got the chance, so we made it a point to finally sneak in a class while I was in town yesterday.
We were both first-timers and though I knew enough to expect lots of small, isometric movements, I wasn’t really sure how the class would go. I figured it would be very similar to Physique 57 which I love.
The class began with a warm up that incorporated a lot of core work. We then moved on to work our arms and grabbed three-pound weights. This may not sound heavy, but after pulsing my arms in front of my body, to the side and around in circles, my shoulders were on fire. The class put me through a workout that is totally different from the workouts I usually do and I definitely felt like an amateur!
Pure Barre wasn’t hard to follow, so I never felt lost, but I definitely felt challenged!
By the time the 55-minute class was over, we worked our entire body. My sister and I had to try not to laugh when our legs started shaking like crazy during the portion of the class that targeted our thighs. And we really had to hold in our laughter when we were stretching and the instructor said, “And now you may slide into a split, if you like.” We looked around and noticed everyone stretching low to the ground while we looked like two inflexible lumps curled over our legs, trying to get as close to the ground as possible. Natural flexibility is clearly not something either of us possess!
When we left the class, we thanked our instructor and had fun chatting to some of the other women who took the class. I really loved the experience and the way the class worked my whole body in a new way. I’d love to take Pure Barre classes regularly if they were available in Ocala. (I also think they’d be really fun to teach as long as the class didn’t mind an instructor who wasn’t incredibly flexible!)
If you’re looking for a low-impact class that makes your whole body burn, Pure Barre is worth a shot. It was a great workout! (FYI, for my Jacksonville friends, the Pure Barre in Jacksonville Beach is currently offering a buy one class, get one free promotion that I took advantage of while I was there.)
Workout + Breakfast
This morning, I set the alarm for 5 a.m. so I could get in a short at home workout before a day of traveling. Since I know I’ll be sitting on a plane or in an airport for most of the day, I wanted to work up a sweat before I’m stuck sitting for hours.
Once my workout was done, I quickly showered, packed up my bags and made a quick breakfast to eat in the car on the way to the airport.
I microwaved oatmeal, almond milk, cinnamon and egg whites in a mug and stirred the mixture every 30 seconds or so until it was fully cooked. I then added chopped walnuts and stirred everything again before tossing in a small handful of blueberries.
It doesn’t look very appetizing, but it was quite delicious and easy to eat on the go.
After I arrived at the airport, I made it through security in no time at all and now I’m waiting to board my first flight of the day.
See you guys from Denver!
Question of the Morning
- Have you ever taken a barre class? What did you think?
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We don’t have any barre classes in town and I’ve heard so much about them that I’ve always wanted to try. Have you ever done one of the barre DVDs? I know a DVD doesn’t compare to a class (usually) but I would be interested in knowinf if there is a decent one to start with. I hate buying workout DVDs that just collect dust. 🙂
Hi Ali-Bar Method has a great intro DVD. My mom has done it and she loves it. I’ve taken Bar Method classes in the studio in Chicago and it’s different but still effective.
Thanks for the suggestion – I’ll have to check it out! 🙂
That class sounds crazy hard. I am not flexible at all. Hot yoga has definitely helped but it definitely does not come easy. I would be the only person standing while everyone was going into splits.
Your breakfast reminds me of an oatmeal they have or had at McDonalds. Yum!!!
Travel Safe!
I loveeeee barre classes! It’s such a great workout without the pounding of running that im used to. And I also laugh every time the suggest a split. These little legs don’t do splits!
Yes! I LOVE the low-impact aspect of barre classes.
I love pure barre classes and think they are such a great low-impact, but tough workout! If the classes weren’t so pricey I would go a lot more often!
Pure Barre classes sound like so much fun! I really hope I can find some in my area. Have a great travel day and I can’t wait to see some pictures from beautiful Utah!
Pure Barre is absolutely amazing!! Sometimes in my weight lifting classes, I’ll have students take up their lightest weights and incorporate some small isometric movements much like Pure Barre does…everyone looks skeptical at first but in no time their faces are begging for the exercise to end!!
I love barre, it is soo challenging in a different way!! it used to embarrass me when my legs quivered but now I know its a normal thang. I work at a studio in my area doing social media/desk stuff, I wish I taught classes though.
My sister and I took a Pure Barre class back in November for the first time and we had an experience similiar to yours! I also learned how un-flexible I am. Here’s my write up of it: http://www.sneakersandspatulas.com/2013/11/17/yoga-and-pure-barre/
I LOVE Barre classes. Unfortunately, I’m currently living in Sioux Falls, SD and barre classes are scarce in these parts.
I used to live in Chicago and took a few barre classes from several studios and loved them all. They always provide a good leg burn!
I feel ya. Unique fitness classes are really hard to come by in Ocala, too.
I looove Pure Barre! I’m a PB instructor in Louisiana and I’m so happy you got to try it out! I love how Pure Barre incorporates strength training with a lot of stretching to help us less flexible people become more flexible!
I’d love to try barre, I think I may next week!!!
I love barre! I’ve never done a “real” split my entire life. It ashamed of this. ha Oh well.
I’ve never taken barre but I want to SO incredibly badly! There’s no studios around me which sucks 🙁 Haha, my sister is a ballet dancer (has been for 13 years… shes 16) and I’m pretty sure she would dominate a barre class!
I took one class and then bought The Bar Method dvds so I could do at home. Amazing workout!!!
I took a pure barre class once too and was humbled! I think it would be great if you could go 3 times a week to see real results
That class sounds like fun! Reminds me of the Pilates class I took! And yum! I’m not a huge oatmeal fan, but the blueberries look super good 🙂
I love barre workouts! I did one this morning, in fact, and my thighs are still a little bit like jell-o. They are a lot of fun to do with friends, so that’s awesome you and your sister went together!!
I love Pure Barre…I live in Jax and a studio opened up at the beginning of November in Riverside and I’ve been going since opening day! Love the girls that work there and I love the benefits of strength training with (many) weights!
Bahaha slide into a split..yea right!!! I would have cracked up! Have so much fun on your trip!!! 🙂
If you have a long layover in Denver, go to Lefty’s grill and get their potato chips. They are pretty good!
I just did my first full barre class last night! It was so hard but so rewarding! I’m proud of myself for being able to walk today! 😀
I have never thought to add egg whites to a bowl of oatmeal! Does it change the texture?
It does a little bit, but weird textures don’t really bother me too much, so I don’t mind. Maybe try just adding one egg white to see if it’s something you’ll enjoy first! 🙂 I’m a fan, but can totally see why some people might not like it.
I’ve been dying to try a Pure Barre class — I feel like most girls who start Pure Barre become addicted quickly! I’m not sure that I’ll ever work my way up to a split — the idea is almost laughable.
Have a safe trip! Have fun!
My best friend Michelle is a huge fan of Physique 57 (she was disappointed to have missed you last time you went – she’s a reader too!)
While I don’t doubt the method or the effect that it has on toning the body, it’s just not for me. However, I loved the instructors at Physique and would definitely go back simply because of that!
I love Pure Barre as well and try to go to a class at the Jax Beach location when I am visiting relatives in town! It looks like your instructor was Caroline? She is one of my friends (outside of PB) and is so great! I’m glad you got to try it!
Yes! Caroline was great! She did such a wonderful job of making us feel welcome and giving us little tips before the class began.
Pure Barre sounds like fun.
Question-what were the measurements/quantities of each ingredient in your breakfast? That sounds good, quick and easy, and something warm to eat in the car on my morning commute.
I didn’t measure it, but when I make it again, I will try to record everything to share!
I grew up a dancer but quit in high school. Now I’ve been dying to find a barre class in my area, but no such luck yet!
I LOVE BARRE!! I go to a studio called Mind Body Barre in Easton, MA. They have the same workout with 3lb weights, isometric movements, and a ton of core work! At the end of every class they have their signature Reiki cool down that is a 5 minute guided meditation, where the instructor plays soft relaxation music, and comes around to each student, making a few light adjustments to your shoulders, neck and scalp with their lavender infused hands. Their mantra they encourage you to focus on is “Let go of what no longer serves you.” It’s amazing! If you are ever in the area I encourage anyone to check it out!! These instructors are wonderful!
http://www.mindbodybarre.com/
I have never taken a Pure Barre class but it has always looked interesting to me! Good luck on your trip to Park City – I’m sure it will be beautiful there!
One of my best friends is an instructor and loves it! I am ashamed to say I haven’t tried her class yet…mainly because you have to sign up in advance, and I already have a gym membership plus a personal trainer. I guess that’s no excuse, especially being a HLB blogger! I just gotta do it.
I’ve taken one pure barre class. I was definitely a fan, and oddly enough my triceps were what was sore the most the next day! I can’t say it is something I would want to regularly do, but every so often and with a friend would be great!
I recently discovered power yoga (its like hot yoga but 10 degrees cooler…which is still frikkin hot but doable). Anyway, I’m hoping to make this a more regular thing in my life! Happy hump day PBF!
I took my first Pure Barre class yesterday too! I run and do yoga regularly but this class was definitely a challenge- my whole body hurts today! I loved the class and would definitely do it again!
I was a ballet dancer for years, and those types of movements make your body scream in a whole new way, for sure! I would love to try an actual barre class though.
Have a safe trip! It’s cold & a bit snowy here in SLC, so you’ll def want a jacket…or two 😉
I love barre classes! I took a few over the holidays and I definitely want to make it more of a regular thing. I used to be a dancer so I would work those small muscle groups all the time. After years of not dancing, however, it was rude awakening taking barre for the first time. My local studio also offers hot barre classes so you get super sweaty!
LOVE barre classes! We have Pure Barre in Chicago now, but I haven’t tried it yet. I go to Barre Bee Fit because they have cardio + barre toning options; love them so much! After a year of them, I STILL cannot do the splits!
I have never been brave enough to take that class. I am looking forward to visiting Jax next month for the Donna marathon!!!!
Awesome!! Good luck to you, Jenn!
I love barre! It is such a unique kind of workout, but it really can give you that long lean type of muscle tone. And it has really helped my running by strengthening my core.
Glad you liked it!
I’ve never tried a barre class before, but I’d love too! I don’t currently belong to a gym, but I’ll have to look into if they’re offering any classes around me. It’s sounds like a great workout!
I have never taken a barre class but I’d love to with my past dance experience. I’m not sure where I could take one near me – Dallas, TX
Hey! There are actually several different studios in the Dallas area! I will actually be trying my first on Friday, so I’m excited/nervous. Hope you can try one soon! 🙂
I’ve done a barre workout video before and HOLY COW I was sore for like 5 days after that! haha, definitely not an easy workout 🙂
I’m so pumped that you finally took a Pure Barre class! 😉 I am utterly obsessed and usually go 4-5 times a week. I may or may not have chosen my apartment complex based on proximity to Pure Barre…Bonus: The studios are dog friendly and sometimes an instructor will bring their dog with them for the day.
I’m so excited you tried Pure Barre! I’m obsessed! It’s the most challenging workout I’ve ever done, but I can truly say it’s the only workout I’ve been excited about. I’ve been taking three times a week for about a year now, and I’m so much stronger. Still can’t do a split though! 🙂
I’ve recently started using Barre3 online workouts, and they are great! I also ordered the Barre3 package through QVC, which included 5 DVDs and the “core ball” they use in most of their programs.I’d love to take a barre class in a studio, but unfortunately they are too expensive and the times don’t work well between my job and my toddler 🙂
So wanting to try this! Sounds fun, but yet effective!
xo Kat
I love PB! I just have a hard time justifying the $20/class price tag. Lately I’ve been using my P57 DVD because it is so similar and I can do it any time, any where.
I’m addicted to barre classes. When I lived in Chicago, I was a regular at Bar Method. My first class definitely very humbling. I live in Milwaukee now and a Barre Bee Fit just opened up here and I love it. It adds in some cardio too so you get a little extra sweaty 🙂
It’s snowing here in Salt Lake City… enjoy Park City!
I’ve taken a few barre classes before and loved them. Though I haven’t quite (at all) nailed the splits part of the classes yet haha
First off- I love your blog and read it religiously. Thank you for always inspiring me!
I am a Pure Barre instructor in Denver and absolutely love it. I have no dance background (I played soccer in college) but have fell in love with the barre workout. I started teaching just after taking a few classes and have GREATLY improved my flexibility through teaching and taking. When I played soccer I could hardly touch my toes and now im almosttttt to the splits! I think you would really enjoy teaching pb and it’s a great compliment to running and other strength training.
Have a great trip!