Back with another one of my #springsfavorites, and today, I’m talking fitness. If you’re new to the blog, I just launched a new series, in which I am featuring all my favorite spots around town. I started with the best coffee shops in Colorado Springs, but will be featuring everything from my favorite parks, health clubs, restaurants and more.
Today, let’s talk about Pure Barre.
Pure Barre is not exclusive to Colorado Springs. I’m sure you have one or two in your city, even. For those that aren’t familiar, Pure Barre is “a total body workout that works every muscle group to the point of fatigue within a 55 minute class. It uses small, isometric movements to tone and lengthen each muscle, working equal parts strength and flexibility.”, as owner Griffin describes it. You wouldn’t believe how much these “small movements” give a big workout! After 55 minutes your body is basically begging to be done, while a rewarding feeling is pumping through every one of your veins.
I recently took on a 3 month trial with PB, and began to see results pretty quickly. I tried to go 3x a week (rotating between Pure Barre class and the new Pure Barre Platform – more on that later). Within about 2 weeks, I began to see that my legs were thinning out in areas that had become problematic over the past year. Not only that, but my core felt stronger and my arms more defined.
What most surprised me about Pure Barre is the diversity of the class. I think we often associate PB with super thin, ballerina-types, but there was a diverse group of women (even pregnant women!) in every class, able to do the same movements (modifying when needed) and working toward the same results. (There was a woman I would often see in classes that had lost 60 lbs since starting her Pure Barre journey. Talk about results!)
I tried to keep track of my results with this Garmin Vivosmart HR. I would only burn around 200 calories during a regular Barre class, but began to torch around 350 during Platform classes.
I recently interviewed the owner Griffin, and this is what she had to say about Platform and Pure Barre:
What was your first experience with Pure Barre like? (Was it brutal like the rest of ours?!)
My first experience with Pure Barre was DEFINITELY intense! I took Pure Barre at one of the first studios in the country in Lexington, Kentucky (my hometown), in 2009 at age 17. I was a competitive dancer, and I was interested in the technique as conditioning for dance. To be honest, I wasn’t really into “working out” outside of the dance studio at that time in my life, and all of that changed after taking Pure Barre. I was hooked by the fast pace of the class, the motivating music, and the literal burning in my muscles! It was a huge challenge then and has remained one for the past 7 years! That’s why I love it – it never gets boring, and it’s completely changed my body.
How would you describe PB to someone who has never taken a class?
Pure Barre is a total body workout that works every muscle group to the point of fatigue within a 55 minute class. It uses small, isometric movements to tone and lengthen each muscle, working equal parts strength and flexibility. No dance experience is required, and it truly won’t feel like a dance class, it just builds your muscles in a similar way. Pure Barre is extremely safe and low impact, meaning that any age or fitness level can participate. You will have tons of fun, it will be a brand new technique, and you will shake…a lot.
How would your describe Platform?
Whereas Pure Barre gives you a total body workout using small, isometric movements, Platform gives you a total body workout with a cardio focus and larger ranges of movement. Platform still uses a ton of the Pure Barre technique and terminology, but it has different equipment, a different format, and a totally different feel. Cardio is truly the focus of this heart-pumping workout, and you’ll feel less muscle intensity and a lot more sweat dripping down your face! Platform is the perfect safe and effective complement to Pure Barre.
Do you have a favorite between PB and Platform?
Hmm, that’s a tough one. Pure Barre will always be my first love and is definitely our primary technique. Pure Barre is something that you can do 4-7 days a week, whereas Platform is meant to be done 2-3 times a week, so they have different roles in my exercise routine. I love that you also get cardio when doing Pure Barre because your heart rate goes up and down constantly, but you get even more with the high-energy pace of Platform.
What is being a PB owner like/what does a day in your world look like?
Haha my days are always different, which makes life exciting. In addition to owning my Pure Barre studio, I work as a Master Teacher Trainer for Pure Barre corporate in Denver. So, a typical day is full of variety. I teach anywhere from 5-8 classes a week in my studio, lead trainings in Denver for other Pure Barre teachers around the country, and spend the rest of my time marketing, emailing, and working with my staff. I pretty much live with my cell phone and coffee, lots of coffee. I always make time to get my own workout in, and I love supporting local businesses in the Springs in any way I can!
6. What is one surprising thing you learned throughout your PB journey?
If I had to pick just one, I would say the relationships. There is a bond that runs deep in the Pure Barre community, and it’s amazing to see how both my clients and staff have changed my life. You never know who is going to walk through your door on any given day; you never know who is going to fall in love with Pure Barre. In the good times and the bad, this community is a family, and creating that family in the Springs is one of the greatest things I’ve ever had the privilege to be a part of.
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