Pure Barre - Ballet is not for sissies.

This is pretty much what I looked like last night...HA! Not even close...I was the girl with noodle-like legs gripping the ballet bar for dear life.

I am a newbie to this whole pure barre/barre scuplt/(ballet,pilates,yoga) fusion thing, so here is a brief description of what it's all about. The Pure Barre Technique is a total body workout that burns fat and produces lifted seats, toned arms, thin thighs, and flat abs by fusing elements of ballet, pilates and weights in a 55 minute intense session. It is the most effective, fastest, yet safest way to change your body. Pure Barre is an intelligent exercise technique- each strengthening section of the workout is followed by a stretching section in order to create strong, long, lean muscle without the bulk, while increasing range of motion. Pure Barre will not only quickly transform your body, it will clear your mind, help you focus and contribute to a happy and healthy life.

I must admit I was quite intimidated walking into the studio for the first time, but the instructors were super nice and welcoming at put me at ease immediately. (I went to Seren Motus in Cool Springs for those that may be interested - http://www.serenmotus.com/). We gathered all the equipment we would need for the class which was just a mat, a hand strap, and some hand weights. I scoffed when I was advised to just grab the 1 pound weights...um, excuse me but have you seen these guns?! But about 5 minutes into the upper body portion of the workout I was practically begging for a spotter. After arms we moved over to the ballet bar where the real fun began: thigh work. The idea is to work your muscles to fatigue, at which point my body started shaking. I think she even referred to one of the moves as the 'Ring of Fire' or something...literally muscles.on.fire.

Imagine sitting in a chair position (already tortured) and doing sets of exercises in this position while holding onto a barre. Imagine standing on your tiptoe, gripping the barre, as you sink your knees into a squat and then slowly (but repeatedly) tucking your butt in just for a extra shot of pain in your lower thighs and your gluteus maximus. Imagine sitting beneath the barre, pushing up with your hands while lifting your heavy legs up using your abs. This was what we did for 55 minutes...

I survived the Pure Barre Class and all I have is the pain in my gluteus maximus to show for it. In addition, it is my prediction that I will be bootylicious in no time. For anyone who is seeking for a different fitness experience, try Pure Barre. Your bathing suit will thank you.

Here is a video that shows what it's all about!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NNwnFp7RxU

All the mocha lattes, you gotta do Pilates...

Well, turns out Kanye knew what he was talking about when he referenced Pilates in his song, "The New Workout Plan". As you know, or may not know, my first love is running - but I seem to have re-occuring injuries whenever I start upping mileage and/or training for a race. I have injured everything from the hip down...IT band, to knees, to shin splints, black toenails...not a fun list, and definitely not fun to deal with when you are running upwards of 8-10 miles. So since I just started training again for the Country Music Half Marathon, (with my wonderful running buddies, Mauri and Jenn) I have decided to try something completely new for my 'cross-training' days.

We are running with a group through Fleet Feet, (an awesome running shoe store here in Brentwood). The schedule calls for running 3 days a week- 2 shorter runs (3-6 miles) during the week and a longer run (6-14 miles) on Saturdays. It is recommended that you do some sort of low-impact cross training on the other days - swimming, weights, spin class, etc. Well, weights and the elliptical are getting really old so I looked into some alternatives and discovered the pilates reformer! It is amazing! The Y offers traditional Pilates mat classes, where you are just on a mat on the floor - but they have recently started offering Pilates reformer classes, which are on a machine instead. I have seen these machines on info commercials featuring Chuck Norris, so I figured they MUST be legit, right?! I think Chuck Norris actually invented Pilates...

The first two intro classes were relatively easy, very different than anything I have ever done before. The moves focus intensely on your core - your abs are supposed to be engaged the entire time, during every move. They like to put a racquetball on your stomach, and if it rolls off...they call you a fatty...kidding, but its supposed help you stay tight and focused. It not only helps with strength, but helps lengthen and elongate your muscles and increase balance and flexibility. Well, I was in for a suprise because the beginner/intermediate classes took it up a notch! The moves have gotten much harder - and require a lot more flexibility. But after every class I feel amazing - its like 4 people grabbed my arms and legs and just pulled and everything stretched out and loosened up. I feel like i'm already getting stronger and the best part is that it is low-impact on your joints. I talked to my instructor and she said it would be a great compliment to running because it would keep everything nice and stretched out and help reduce the risk of injury. Anyway - just wanted to share what I was up to these days in regards to exercise. I will leave you with two videos; the first one shows basic moves and is about the level of difficulty I am at right now. The second one is bananas. This lady must be a Pilates master...I would definitely be hanging from the straps if I attempted what she is doing.

This picture is just funny and relevant to this post...

Pilates Video #1

Pilates Video #2

I just re-watched these videos...and I hope no one thinks I am a weirdo. I am realizing they look a little strange - I promise I don't listen to Enigma while I am working out!

Stole this post from Mauri! Happy Friday!

If I were a month, I’d be June.
If I were a day of the week, I’d be Friday night.
If I were a time of day, I’d be 8pm.
If I were a planet, I’d be Mars.
If I were a sea animal, I’d be a seahorse.
If I were a direction, I’d be South.
If I were a piece of furniture, I’d be fluffy L-shaped couch.
If I were a liquid, I’d be an ice cold Blue Moon.
If I were a gemstone, I’d be an embarassingly large diamond.
If I were a tree, I’d be a palm tree.
If I were a tool, I’d be a hammer.
If I were a flower, I’d be a black-eyed susan :)
If I were a kind of weather, I’d be the opening day of patio drinking season.
If I were a musical instrument, I’d be a piano.
If I were a color, I’d be PINK.
If I were an emotion, I’d be all of them, twice a day.
If I were a fruit, I’d be a banana.
If I were a sound, I’d be meow.
If I were an element, I’d be silver.
If I were a car, I’d be a Range Rover - white, with off-white leather interior. Don't even think about getting one - I will key it.
If I were a food, I’d be a pizza.
If I were a place, I’d be any beach!
If I were a material, I’d be a soft fur blankie.
If I were a taste, I’d be spicy.
If I were a scent, I’d be amber.
If I were an object, I’d be Mr. Bear!
If I were a body part, I’d be a scooter.
If I were a facial expression, I’d be rolling eyes.
If I were a song, I’d be Memphis rap.
If I were a pair of shoes, I’d be sparkly Betsey Johnson heels.