Barre3 Is A Must-Try Workout!
Today, I had my first workout in eight years.
Eight years ago, I remember getting all excited about working out, pushing myself to the limit by doing exercises and lifting dumbbells at home, loving the exhilaration of keeping myself fit (or at least trying to). Back then, I could eat anything and not gain a single ounce. I do recall dressing up for events so easily and having so much fun that I didn’t have to worry about getting a size or bulges in the wrong places.
Alas! Times have definitely changed, and so has my waistline and my fervor for exercise.
I guess these things happen especially when you get preoccupied and have a lot on your hands…like prioritizing family, taking care of a baby, managing a household, juggling work-from-home projects…The list goes on and on.
I’d tried yoga before, gone boxing and done punchbag aerobics, but nothing I could say that was athletic and interesting enough for me to sustain a commitment to exercising my way to better health.
It’s possible that you’re like me…a wife and mom who wants to keep herself healthy even more for her family, and who desires to shed a few pounds (get “whipped into shape,” like that phrase from the “Legally Blonde” musicale, heehee!), if not inches from her waistline…or maybe just keeping your eyes open for a different kind of workout. Check this out!
Today was my first class at Barre3 at the Fort.
With its studio located inside The Spa on Bonifacio High Street, Taguig, Barre3 is a a 60-minute workout that is composed of a series of exercises designed to transform the body into one of equal flexibility, strength, and balance.
What makes Barre3 different from the usual gym workout is that it maximizes the use of the ballet barre, which is the tool of ballet dancers to support the body in dynamic and static movements that lead to long, lean muscles.
What caught my eye about this was how it was described in their website: “Barre3 evolves the dancer’s workout by combining the grace of the ballet barre with the wisdom of yoga and the strength of pilates.”
I loved that it welcomed me even if I’m totally a beginner in wanting to keep myself fit.
It’s great for men and women, and it caters to beginners, dancers, non-dancers, athletes, yoga practitioners, and Pilates aficionados, and practically anyone who cares about keeping fit and is passionate about good health!
Here are more reasons why I’m definitely going back to doing Barre3 and why it’s a must-try:
- It can make you look slimmer by toning your muscles, promoting inch loss more than weight loss. More toned muscles equal a more slender body, friends!
- It can help burn fat by developing flexibility, muscular endurance, and muscular strength.
- It’s a good supplement to aerobic activities, running, cycling, and complements any sport.
- It achieves good posture, strengthens your core, and relieves tight and weak muscles.
- This revolutionary class / workout is set to music, which also helps speed things up when a difficult pose is to be held for a little while longer (haha!), and music always helps get you into the groove!
For Newbies (Like Me!)
Upon making sure you have clearance from your physician (a medical certificate is required from those who have medical issues and conditions and from those who are pregnant and want to try Barre3), all you need to do is:
- show up 15 minutes ahead of your chosen schedule
- dress up in comfy yoga attire and socks (they sell these great rubberized socks for Php 200.00)
- pick a spot on the barre that is close to the fitness instructor so you can see her movements better and replicate them easier.
You are actually advised to eat well 1 1/2 hour before the class. And the instructor will tell you that if you feel dizzy at any point during the class, you can feel free to stop and rest.
My Experience with Barre3
I called the Barre3 receptionist Mecca to reserve a slot and dutifully showed up around 15 minutes ahead of the class time. It gave me time to don my yoga pants and shirt, pick up the socks, and do a few stretches. I found out that showing up early also gives you a little time to chitchat with fellow newbies and old-timers, pick out your weights, stretch strap, and ball from the shelf (these things you’ll get to use during the actual workouts).
When our fitness instructor Lalah de Dios walked in, she greeted us with a friendly smile, asked who were the newcomers (I raised my hand with another girl, an old schoolmate of mine from elementary, a pleasant surprise) and proceeded quickly in guiding us through the routine.
I took ballet classes as a child so I was able to understand a few of the moves that are actually similar to the ones in ballet, minus the ballet terms.
I have to say that the stretches made with the help of the ballet barre started out looking all easy, but by the end of the first few routines, I could feel the tension in my muscles…it was challenging and invigorating at the same time to be doing graceful movements that slowly but steadily pushed my limits.
The workout focused not just on the bodily movements but on breathing and being aware of your body’s center, and made me realize that in this respect, it was really yoga-inspired.
Lalah, our instructor, was very precise (and thankfully, very encouraging) in her instructions that made us (the newbies) improve as the class progressed. It greatly helped to be among attendees who all gave off that positive and committed aura. A motivating group environment always makes exercise more fun, that’s for sure!
We finished the class in an hour, and though I did feel the tension in my leg muscles that can only come from an effective and good workout, I felt invigorated and refreshed, not at all exhausted and panting and dead-tired like in my previous visits to the gym for punch-bag aerobics or boxing.
As I changed into my regular clothes, I found myself excited for the next class, and grateful that I had found the workout I could actually embrace and enjoy, an hour to nourish my physical self.
I found myself energized for whatever chores or tasks I had for the rest of the late afternoon and evening.
A Few Pictures
Here’s a photo of Lalah doing one of the more advanced moves:
And me with a new friend, Bea
And of course, a shot with Lalah after class
Me, after the workout, all dressed up in regular clothes and excited to see my husband and daughter
Overall, I can safely say that Barre3 is an experience I wouldn’t mind going through again.
A relaxing environment + a good workout to an upbeat soundtrack + a friendly & encouraging instructor = great elements in a fun, slow but steady way to staying fit.
I like the way I feel now, fully knowing that there’s a new way I can approach exercise, and keep myself pumped up and strong for the many more activities I have to go through as a wife and mom—fun, challenging, but always fulfilling and memorable times cherished with the ones I love.
Try Barre3 and find yourself energized as well! Have fun!
Here are some online resources for more information on Barre3:
Official Website of Barre3 Philippines: http://www.barre3.com.ph/index.php
Barre3 Schedules & Rates: http://www.barre3.com.ph/schedules.php
Barre3 FAQ’s: http://www.barre3.com.ph/faq.html
Our instructor’s blog (Lalah de Dios) link: http://prakasha-manila.blogspot.com/p/barre3.html
Barre3 Phils. on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Proud-To-Be-A-Wife-And-Mama/136751493005322?v=app_2373072738&ref=ts#!/pages/barre3philippines/216010684947?ref=ts
11 Responses to “Barre3 Is A Must-Try Workout!”
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I found your entry interesting do I’ve added a Trackback to it on my weblog
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Sounds very interesting! I’d try it if I’m home
As as for you momma, I know you will enjoy this as you were once a ballerina 
Miss you!
This is a useful post about fitness. I’m a student just trying to learn more about the nutrition space and I really enjoyed your article. Keep up the great work!
Great stuff ici.
Very informative post. Thanks for taking the time to share your view with us.
I agree with most except for the religious bits,you don¡¯t need religions to be happy.
Adjeng, it’s Irene!
I’m so glad you were able to post your barre3 experience! I’d been wanting to try this for months! Do they have shower rooms at barre3 though?
Thanks for the tip again, dear! I’m loving the blog!
and have been lurking for weeks!
Hope to see you, Rodrin & little Drian soon!!!
Hello Irene! I so love the workout, I’m sure you’re going to have a blast too! The fact that it’s in the same building as THE SPA is icing on an already yummy cake. Hahaha!
The thing is, girl, they only have one shower stall (that I know of! hahaha!) and of course it’s wise to bring your own toiletries, they don’t sell or provide anything like that.
The good thing about Barre3 is that it’s a core-strengthening workout that doesn’t leave you sweating buckets like when you go boxing or punchbag aerobics.
A friend of mine commented that she was happy when she joined me to check it out ’cause if you happen to have somewhere to go after, you really don’t have to take a super long shower, since you won’t really get all smelly after. Hahaha!
See you at LAYA soon!
Hi! I’m looking for your contact details cuz I wanna ask something about Barre3. Im considering to be a member though I’m not sufficed with its whatabouts. So I should go straight to the point :p how much would it cost to be a member? Does it offer facilities like a sauna room etc?
(Your articles are just awesome. You might considering creating an email for the public to let them reach you. Inspire us!)
Godbless!
Official Website of Barre3 Philippines: http://www.barre3.com.ph/index.php
They don’t have a sauna room yet, I think, at least, that’s what I noticed when I was there last time for a session. Hope these are helpful Be blessed!
Hello! I’m reposting the links to Barre3′s website, their contact information is also there, feel free to reach them.
Barre3 Schedules & Rates: http://www.barre3.com.ph/schedules.php
Barre3 FAQ’s: http://www.barre3.com.ph/faq.html
Our instructor’s blog (Lalah de Dios) link: http://prakasha-manila.blogspot.com/p/barre3.html
Barre3 Phils. on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Proud-To-Be-A-Wife-And-Mama/136751493005322?v=app_2373072738&ref=ts#!/pages/barre3philippines/216010684947?ref=ts
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Great post !