Today I took my 100th class at Pure Barre.
Last year in June, when my sister was here, she talked to me
about Pure Barre and how much she loved (and hated) it. She had been going for a while and we drove
by the one here in town and peered in the windows. About a week after she left, I went back and
signed up for one year of unlimited classes.
! This is without even taking my
first class. But she raved about it so
much that I figured it couldn’t be that bad, right?
Hahahahaha!
The first class I took I thought I was going to pass
out. And throw up. And the next day? I actually had trouble walking because every
muscle in my body was indescribably sore.
Sorer than I have ever been in my life.
I had muscles that I didn’t know existed. But I just kept coming back.
And today I attended my 100th class!
I love it. And I hate it.
I haven’t lost any weight (because I don’t eat right), but I’ve lost
inches. My clothes fit better. And I am stronger. Part of the warm up of each class is a
90-second plank. 90 seconds doesn’t seem
like that long, right? WRONG. When you’re planking….it feels like an
hour. It is awful. I think the first time I was able to hold my
plank without coming to knees was maybe in November. And remember….I started taking classes in
June. And full (SLOW) sit ups (not
crunches) from lying completely flat on the floor (legs extended and
everything)...it took me a couple of months to do one of those as well without
helping myself up on my elbows.
I still get sore. But
not after every class. It depends on the
class and it depends on the instructor.
There are certain instructors that push you harder.
Here’s why I love it:
*You have to sign up for each class via the app. Which means that the classes aren't super crowded, because once they are at capacity, that's it.
*It doesn't feel like a gym or a large grouop exercise class, which is a huge plus for me. It's more intimate than that. In fact, they lock the doors after class starts.
*The instructors are INCREDIBLY nice. And super encouraging. And they know everyone's name. This still baffles me.
*They correct your form in class if necessary (which is super helpful). It makes a big difference in how you feel (protect those joints people!) and it ensures you are working the targeted muscle correctly.
*The music is LOUD and really gets you going.
*I gained a reading buddy, Rebecca. We talk books before class.
*It doesn't get easier. If it weren't challenging, then why bother going? I don't know how they do it, but every single class is different (and I usually take 2 a day and they are NEVER the same) and every single class is hard.
*There is no judgment. Everyone there is focused on themselves. They are too busy trying not to die that they
don’t have time to check out other people in class. They don’t care what you look like, what
you’re wearing, and how good your form is.
NOBODY CARES. We’re all just
trying to get through the class in one piece.
Here’s why I hate it:
*Planking
*It's pricey
To celebrate my 100th class and reward myself, I went to the Nordstrom Rack website and ordered 2 pairs of leggings (Zella), 2 sports
bras (Puma & Nike) and 2 tank tops (Zella), all of which I needed.
Next milestone? 250!!
