Here’s the thing: I’m active, but it largely falls into the running/CrossFitting/backpacking category. I tell myself I’m going to practice yoga more but I continue to fail, and I shudder to think what it would look like should I attempt to recreate my more graceful years as a ballerina.
How in the world did my legs bend that way when I was 20?!
So when Barre Forte emailed me about a new location in LoHi (near the walking bridge), I was skeptical. Was this going to be like hazing for the clumsy? But they continued to pique my interest when they offered to host me in a private class for up to 20 of my friends. The final deal breaker? The two owners are ultra runners that use Barre Forte classes as cross training for races. And they have muscles that look like this.
Needless to say, I was in. Any time I can catch up with my girlfriends is going to be a win, and I knew we would have fun….even if I hadn’t a clue as to what we were doing. Turns out, they also knew what they were doing, so I was the only bull in the china shop.
But I digress.
PC: Will Rochfort
The ten-or-so of us showed at the new Barre Forte LoHi location {because I’m not sure I have 20 female friends} and put on our sticky socks. The floor has carpet, but the studio suggests grippy socks to make sure you don’t slide all over the place. Since I was willing to take any advice I could get, I asked if I could put on two pairs of grippy socks for extra security. Turns out, the answer is no.
Then, our instructor, Leah, directed us to grab two sets of dumbbells: a lighter set and a heavier set. This is where error #1 of the day came in. I asked her what they would be used for and she said the heavy set was for biceps and whatnot and the smaller set was for shoulders. I asked her what she suggested for heavy and she said, “Oh, you know…maybe use the 5 or 8 or 10 pound dumbbells.” Thinking I could hang because I CrossFit and whatnot, I grabbed the 8 pound set. Poor life choice, my friends.
After snagging our weights, we lined up at various spots on the barre and class begins. Just like in my ballet classes of yore, a ballet barre was stretched across the walls around the classroom. I carefully positioned myself behind Leah, half hiding and half trying to watch her. But once the music kicked up, I could barely focus: this stuff was hard!
My friends Caryn and Megs are kinda ripped
Near as I can, Barre Forte’s standard barre class focuses on small movements that seem innocent until you’re into the second minute. Then, innocent turns to torture– in a good way.
For example, Leah asked us to grab our “heavy” weights and I picked up my 8 pounders. We then did a few minutes of bicep curls, starting with single reps and moving on to more deliberate repetitions {i.e. lifting for four counts, lowering for four counts.} We did those until I thought I might die…and then switched back to single reps. Y’all, I seriously got to the point where I was concerned I couldn’t lift my 8 pounder anymore….and then looked around to realize all of my friends had grabbed much lighter weights. Rookie mistake, but my pride wouldn’t let me put the weight down!
Fake life
Real life
After working through the weights, we moved to the barre and did a series of exercises that took me straight back to my dancing days. We spent lots of time on our toes, and even worked through a series of attitude-esque exercises that left my butt feeling like a hot iron was left on. But none of that came close to the searing sensation working through my calves as we continued to practice every movement while on our tip-toes.
I could detail every movement to you, but I honestly don’t think words encapsulate the experience. Leah managed to find small movements and exercises that targeted every single muscle in my body, and then a few more that I didn’t even know I had. Truthfully, it was shocking how tough this class was for me…and how sore I was the next day!
But you know, that was the absolutely best part. I’m definitely not one of those people that thinks I only need running or I only need CrossFit, and it was a good reminder that your body gets used to any activity you do. Plus, cursing a blue streak with my closest friends is always better than spending a night at a bar. Amiright?!
Did I mention a wicked storm rolled in while we were there?
Here’s the fun part: Barre Forte LoHi is willing to give one local person a free two-week trial. I would love for the winner to report back and let me know if you found the classes as tough as I did! So, all you have to to enter is this: leave me a comment and let me know why you want the free trial. Easy enough!
Giveaway will be open until Wednesday, July 20. I’ll notify the winner on July 21.
********************