Barre Code

February 19 – 7:00AM

Instructor: Priya Femmer

I’ve started to realize how much I really love The Barre Code. Both locations I have been to have been awesome and I always feel like I have had a great workout when I leave (even though Barre-dio wasn’ the mostg challenging I definitely felt it). I feel like I understand the movements really well and can keep up. Also the instructors are really motivating and sexy…it helps when a sexy fit chick is giving you directions 😛 And they always do a great majority of the class with you instead of simply instructing!

The small ‘pulse’ movements associated with Barre Code are so understatedly challenging and I love how much I can actually feel it. There was great direction given by Priya and she had an awesome music selection. I was especially a fan of her stretching music at the end of the class. Now to contradict my statement in the above paragraph, I do kind of wish she had gone around and checked everyone’s position at least once. That always reassures me that I am properly executing the positions and movements and I’m not going to actually mess something up in my body.

Priya’s ab section was a beast and I truly applaud her for that. If you want a great barre class with a solid ab workout, hit up Priya at the Old Town location!

❤ the fit bitch

Barre-dio

February 5 – 6:30PM

Instructor: Susan Mowder

I really like the studio for this Barre Code location. It is on the smaller size, but they make due with what they have. Definitely not as well put together as the River North location, but I still like it a lot! It totally helps that it’s only a block from my apartment 😉

I took this class because I was feeling a lull in my cardio for the week. It has been so cold in Chicago that running outside isn’t an option and I am still trying to get over my sub-par experience at Flywheel, so I thought I would give this a shot.

The class started off pretty self explanatory. Easy movements to warm up the body and bring the hert rate up, but then everything went absolutely crazy. We started a sequence of moves that reminded me of a dance sequence. It moved so quickly I felt as thought I was always a step behind. It was reassuring to see other girls in the class having the same issues as I was. But Susan was quite motivating and made me want to keep going and try to get the sequence. Which I finally did at the end of class for the last 10 rounds. Safe to say it made me feel pretty accomplished.

My one criticism of the cardio for Barre-dio class was that I neve felt like I was maxing out on my cardio abilities. I like when I am pushed to far I can barely move at the end of the class. This was more fun than it was challenging, but I always remind myself that even a slight workout is still a workout and has done far more for my body and health than sitting on my ass at home binge watching netflix!

There was a small Barre section to the class which I really enjoyed. A nice break from the crazy cardio sequence and a chance to work my muscles. We did a lot of work on the legs and this was not very enjoyable for me. My planted leg that was not supposed to be doing much work started to feel more effects than the moving leg. I talked with Susan after class and realized I was standing improperly and also needed to continue to build muscle. I wish I had spoke up earlier to get some assistance, but I’ll remember for next time!

Overall, enjoyed the class, but I’ll stick to other forms of cardio and use my 3 Barre Code classes for more strength training each month!

❤ the fit bitch