As y’all know, I love Pure Barre. It is my favorite active thing to do (outside of running, of course) and I try to get to two to three classes a week. I believe it’s great for runners, specifically, because of the muscles worked and because while it’s intense, it’s low impact so the risk of injury is very very low. I get a lot of questions about Pure Barre and so I thought I’d break down a typical Pure Barre class so if you try it (and you should!) you can know what to expect.
First things first. To get yourself all set up for class, you only need to bring yourself, a water bottle and socks (I recommend sticky socks. You can buy some right at your local Pure Barre studio – in fun colors! Or you can order some on Amazon – I like the toe socks because my toes sometimes slip). After you sign in, you’ll pick up a tube (either a single tube, a double tube or a velcro tube), a ball and weights. If it is your first class, I recommend you pick up the two pound weights. Trust me on this. You’ll thank me in about ten minutes, I promise. Head on in to the studio and get ready for 55 minutes of fun!
A typical Pure Barre class is broken down into six sections:
- Warm up. Oh the warm up. Pure Barre does not mess around and you will figure that out quite quickly. You will start out warming up your legs and arms with some simple movements. Then before you can say, well this isn’t so bad, you are down on the floor for the infamous 90 second plank. Now, normally a 90 second plank isn’t so bad. However, somehow it becomes the hardest thing during a Pure Barre class. But you will survive and then you are rewarded with push ups and side planks and all kinds of fun stuff. Just when you think your abs are going to fall off, the class moves on to arms.
- Arms. The arms portion of class starts and you have the option of starting with no weights or your lighter pair of weights. Again, if it’s your first class, then start with no weights and really get your form perfect. After a few moves, you’ll be instructed to pick up your weights (or your heavier set) for the bulk of arm work. Your entire arm will get a workout here and by the end, you will want to put the weights down. Close your eyes, breathe through it and then comes your sweet reward…a stretch before moving into thigh work.
- Thighs. Thighs is my favorite part of class (shhh, don’t tell any of my instructors!). There are a TON of different movements and the Pure Barre staff does an excellent job of finding new ways to
torturework your thighs during this section. You will most likely spend at least some of your time on your “highest heel” (see above picture) and you will hear phrases like “tuck” “shake” and “down an inch, up an inch.” It is hard to explain tucking but you will get the hang of it really quickly. The shake will come as your legs start to burn. And in a variety of poses, you will be lowering your body down an inch and then up an inch. In a typical Pure Barre class, you’ll do three different thigh exercises and then you will get a nice long stretch. My favorite thigh exercise is the one pictured above – I love seeing how high I can get my heels and focusing on perfect form. The great thing about Pure Barre is that your instructors will come around and offer encouragement and any needed adjustments. I find this incredibly helpful and motivating! - Seat. Next you will “ltb” (Pure Barre speak for lift, tone and burn) your seat. The seat exercises often involve leaning over the barre, raising a leg and contorting it to work your seat (especially where your butt meets your thigh). I find these to be some of the most challenging poses for me and it’s when I’m particularly grateful for the hands on instructors at Pure Barre. See below for an example of something you might do during seat work. Yeah, it’s not easy – especially if you’re doing it correctly!
- Abs. Just when you think it’s over, you move to the floor for six or seven minutes of abs. But wait, you might be thinking – didn’t we do planks and stuff at the beginning of class? Yep. And now you’re going to really work your core. It is hard but it is awesome. Keep breathing because the end is near!
- Cool down. You did it! You’ve made it through an amazing Pure Barre class. Give yourself (and your neighbors) a well deserved hand!
I hope this gives you a bit of an idea of what a typical Pure Barre class is like. The fun thing (and why I keep going back) is that you’ll never get bored with Pure Barre. The instructors are always changing it up, which keeps your muscles guessing and keeps it fun. If you haven’t yet checked out Pure Barre – get on it!
Pure Barre is always opening up new studios – hopefully you can find a great studio near you!
By the way, this post is in no way sponsored by Pure Barre. It’s sponsored by my sincere love of my favorite barre studio around (and I’ve tried out quite a few!).
T
This looks absolutely incredible! It’s something I’ve wanted to try for awhile but unfortunately, there are no studios in my area. I didn’t know exactly what the classes entailed, only that I want to try. And now I definitely want to!!! Here’s hoping south Jersey gets hooked up soon. 😉
Mer @ scootadoot recently posted…Day 12 of the 21 Day No Junk Challenge
you should just open your own studio 🙂 haha! no, it’s great and i also hope you get to try it out soon!!
My own studio would be RAD. Oh, to be independently wealthy!
Mer @ ScootaDoot recently posted…Day 12 of the 21 Day No Junk Challenge
Favorite part of PB is definitely arms! Nice breakdown!
Jennifer recently posted…Shamrock Half Training – 1/19-1/25 – Week 1
oh man, those last few seconds of arms are KILLER!
If you think this is hard, check out the solid core class it is seriously killer!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…“When the stars make you drool just like Pasta e Fagioli”
i know solid core is supposed to be super tough! but is it low impact?
no impact at all. It is all done on the reformer. My abs are still sore from Friday’s class!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…“When the stars make you drool just like Pasta e Fagioli”
oh good to know!!
Wow, it sounds a little intimidating! I’ve never thought of side planks as a reward before 🙂
Chaitali recently posted…Weekly Review RnR DC – Week 6
the environment is not intimidating at all – the instructors are super super friendly and i’ve found the other clients to be super nice too. part of the reason pure barre is my favorite!
I read one of those men’s perspectives of Pure Barre last month and it was the funniest thing I’ve read in quite some time! Loved your review. Now I just need to get over my fear or these type of classes and just go to one already.
Heidi recently posted…Black and Tan
omg, that thing made me cry. so hilarious!!!
Love the compliment for running!
Leanne recently posted…Snow Way!
yes, it’s the perfect match for running!
I’ve always wondered what a Pure Barre class was really like. I’m totally intrigued. I want to take one now. Thanks for sharing!
definitely go take a class! it’s awesome!
Thank you for posting this! I’ve never been to a Pure Barre class and was wondering what it was all about!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…A runner in real life
i hope you’ll go check it out – i absolutely LOVE it!
ok you’ve convinced me to give it another shot. Is there a ClassPass offering I can join you at some time?? 🙂
Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…Shamrock Half Training Week 5 & Beantown!
THIS JUST MADE MY MORNING! yes yes and YES! we’ll talk 🙂
Really enjoyed reading your break down of the class. I had definitely heard of Pure Barre, but I was very hesitant to try it (confession – I’m a ballet teacher). Now that I see what it’s all about, I’d definitely try it out.
Liz @ Loving to Tri recently posted…Asheville Half Marathon / Raleigh 70.3 Training Week 4 Recap
oh so cool that you teach ballet. i think you’ll LOVE pure barre!
Yay! Thanks for breaking this down! I might try the online one in March since there aren’t any studios within a 2-hour radius from here that offer barre classes! :]
Farrah recently posted…Cervical Cancer
oh bummer – but yeah, try the videos at home!
You’re making me miss barre class! The thigh workout is the best…I remember shaking like crazy, but it’s such a great burn! And those tiny movements….light weights can really get you!
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…Cherry Blossom, Girls Gone Sporty and SweatPink!
it is SUCH a crazy burn!!
What a workout! I would love to try a Pure Barre class!
Maureen recently posted…10 Easy & Delicious Slow Cooker Recipes
you should – it’s so awesome!
I really need to get to a class. Pure Barre hurts so good. It’s so hard to squeeze into my schedule!
yes you do, ma’am! let me know 🙂
I’ve been wanting to try a barre class – they are newer in my area. Seems like they might also help with flexibility as well as strength.
I hear you on planks – for whatever reason they are always harder during classes than when doing them alone. But such a great exercise for working the entire core!
Sun recently posted…Indoor Marathon Relay Race Recap
definitely try one out – they are addictive, i’ve gotta warn you!! 🙂
Thanks for sharing! I hear you talk about this so often and I wish there was one near me. I found a class similar to this and I am hoping to check it out in the next month.
Daisy @ Fit Wanderlust Runner recently posted…Songs To Get You Moving During Your Workout!
awesome – i hope you enjoy it!!
I can feel the burn just looking at those photos and reading your descriptions! It sounds so similar to Pilates… but I’m guessing it’ll fit my budget better than Pilates equipment classes do (at $16 a pop).
Molly @alsoranagain.com recently posted…Weekend Update
well…if you buy a package, maybe. but it’s not cheap…BUT so worth it!! 🙂
Courtney, this is FANTASTIC! I have yet to go to a “real” barre class (you’ll see what I’ve done at home in my Friday Five post this week), but we do have a Pure Barre studio in Little Rock and I think I’m too intimidated to go – ha! I have a couple of friends who love it, and I need to try to fit it in every once in awhile. This is a great primer, though, and I’m sure I’ll come back and read it again – GAH! Thanks so much and I hope your week is off to a good start!
Tara @ Running ‘N’ Reading recently posted…Weekend Update
try it! you will love it! i promise!! 🙂
I really want to try PB! We have a couple studios here in Memphis but it’s so expensive! I just really am awful at doing anything except running, but I feel like I would really love PB. I did gymnastics for 10 years and once a week we would have ballet which was really just a trick to get us doing some strength work. A lot of the exercises we would do remind me of PB. Thanks for sharing what it’s like!
Cecilia @ MommiesRun recently posted…Weekend Update .:3:.
oh i think you would LOVE it – you should sign up for the free valentine’s day class!