Several months ago, I noticed Elevate Barre Studio in a nearby shopping plaza. So, naturally, it went on my list for this project. They also use the mindbodyonline scheduler that I've mentioned in previous posts. I've discovered that mindbodyonline has an app called mindbodyconnect. It's been great for my research for this blog and it makes scheduling and paying for classes super easy. You can search by type of class, nearby classes, by studio name and they also have a spa and salon category. While using the app, I noticed that Elevate offers FREE classes several times a week! The class is complimentary because it is taught by one of their instructors in training. The listing said that this class as great for beginners due to the smaller class size. So, I opted to check out Jessica's class and give her a bit of a challenge before becoming a certified instructor.
I'm teasing (sort of) about giving her a challenge because I suck at barre. I know this because, a couple of years ago, I did a different barre workout consistently for several months and I never got better at it. I'm not a dancer. I'm not graceful. I have no equipoise. I was consistently the worst person in my classes...always starting on the wrong foot or switching my arms during certain moves. I'm just not great at it. That being said, it worked. I saw a change in my strength and in the shape of my body. My muscles were becoming longer and leaner and that yucky weird fold of back fat near my bra strap totally disappeared. So, I believe in barre (even though I no longer do it).
I believe in barre, but I wasn't a huge fan of elevate. Sorry...but, stay with me because although it wasn't for me, I can TOTALLY see why women (who are not me) could absolutely love it. Although this review may seem negative, it's not a bad review. It's more about this studio not being MY type of place. I really hope that everyone sees the humor in MY insecurities and inability to balance gracefully and MY shortcomings, not this studio's.
So, I walked in and felt like I had just entered a sorority house. There were half a dozen women chattering at a pitch that reverberated off the walls. A few of them were clamoring to try on and buy the newest leopard print leggings that, apparently, had just been added to the boutique section. The décor is absolutely gorgeous and it felt more like walking into a spa than a gym/studio. I was warmly welcomed by Colleen (I think?) and then Jessica (the instructor in training) showed me around.
Elevate is different than the other studios I've attended in several ways. They have lockers with little keys, which I much prefer to the open cubbies of other studios, it's bright and well-lit, and the studio is carpeted, as opposed to wood floors. Due to the carpeting (I assume), you can wear regular socks instead of barre socks.
SIDE NOTE: There are two apparel rules of barre. 1) You must wear barre socks, also known as yoga socks or studio socks. They are regular socks, but they charge an arm and a leg for them because they have the little non-stick stuff on the bottom...like your pajamas had as a kid or like the socks they issue you when you're admitted to the hospital. 2) You must wear pants/leggings that hit at or below the knee. No shorts. I was told that this is to keep your legs and muscles warm during the workout.
I admit that I was wary of the carpet. Maybe I'm still recuperating from the stench of the kickboxing gym, but I was pleasantly surprised. Elevate Barre Studio smells AMAZING...like, "Am I in a hidden camera Febreeze commercial?" kind of amazing. So, kudos to them for that accomplishment!
On to the workout: Jessica's energy level was through the roof! Elevate changes the music and the lighting depending on the section of the workout and the music is best described as Radio Disney on ecstasy. We were warming up to the most poppy pop music infused with an electronic re-mixed beat. I, of course, couldn't even keep up with the warm-up and had to correct my hands/feet several times. Thankfully, we transitioned into arms before I could make an even bigger fool of myself. I absolutely love barre's arm workouts. It's amazing how light weights and little pulses can fatigue your muscles so quickly. Jessica did a great job challenging us and correcting our form, when needed. Then, we approached the barre to do the "thigh and seat work" and this is when the fun happens. A cool/terrifying phenomenon of the barre workout is the way your body shakes while doing the exercises. They say that it's your muscles fatiguing, rebuilding, lengthening, and becoming leaner, but it's freaky and uncomfortable! Also, everyone began to look like insane ballerinas while doing fast paced curtsies while holding on to the bar and raising their other arm up and down. I looked nothing like a ballerina...more like a flailing flamingo. It was at this point that I began to contemplate my escape. I actually considered running away several times during the workout. It wasn't due to difficulty, but due to the silliness and awkwardness that I felt. "Wait? Jessica wants me to put my ankle up ON the barre? Like, that high? And then do what? Umm...I could just leave, right?" I didn't leave, but I didn't really enjoy myself very much.
Elevate is a much faster-paced, more high-energy, more sugary-sweet bubble gum style than the other barre workouts I've done. For instance, when we transitioned to the floor to do the abdominal work on pilates mats, Jessica called it "back dancing" and turned the lights off and a colored-light disco ball on! Then, in stark contrast, we ended with the music lowered and the lights dimmed, stretching in yoga-style, including sitting cross-legged with our hands at our heart and Jessica asking us to thank our bodies. The workout was great, but going from ballet moves during electronic dance music to "back dancing" in the dark under disco lights to breathing in Namaste-style made me feel completely schizophrenic. Jessica did a great job and she'll make a great barre instructor...and, lucky for her, she won't have me in any of her classes again!
Cost: $10 for your first class, then $20 per class, discounts for class packages
Fun Factor: Moderate to High (if you like that kind of thing)
Difficulty: High
This is what I look like when I'm
"back dancing" in barre class!
No comments:
Post a Comment