Tag Archive for: Barre Classes

Is Mindful Boring?

When you hear the word mindful what image pops into your head?  Silence, solemness, stillness….

Here at Rivercity Pilates we are big believers in the power of mindful movement to create results in your body and life, but we also like to have fun.  Of course we want to stay focused and mindful throughout our movement practice but at the same time we know that if you are enjoying your movement practice you are more likely to keep doing it and hence get even better results!

We have a “No Grimacing Rule” at the studio!  (See the sign we included here.)  We use this rule to remind clients to smile, lighten up and be positive – all of which are conducive to better movement!

 

If you are looking to find an exercise program you love, consider trying our our small group classes and expect to smile throughout class!   Your first session is complimentary — you can email us or call the studio to schedule  (319-665-2499).

Barre? I am the opposite of a ballerina!

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IMG_6580Have you heard of “Barre” Workouts?   There’s all kinds of workouts with “barre” in the name of the class at every gym and in the exercise DVD section of Amazon — but the only connection that I knew about was the barre is used in ballet lessons.     So what’s the class about and can a non-ballerina be successful?   I did some research.

It may look like ballet, but it’s not.  Barre fitness classes are ballet inspired, incorporating a mix of ballet barre and pilates work with plies and kicks in the workout.    Barre classes are choreographed to motivating music, and in each targeted workout, you’ll use the bar and exercise eequipment such as small hand weights and mini balls to slim and stretch your entire body.   You don’t need dance experience to be comfortable in a Barre class.

What’s the difference between barre and a typical strength training class? Rather than larger, compound movements (think squats and shoulder presses), you’ll perform tiny, one-inch increments called isometric movements. That’s why you’ll often hear, “Down an inch, up an inch,” repeated by barre teachers.  The barre is used as a prop to balance while doing exercises that focus on isometric strength training (holding your body still while you contract a specific set of muscles) combined with high reps of small range-of-motion movements.

For someone who’s used to other cross training classes, it may seem like you’re not working hard enough. But that’s absolutely not the case, experts say. In fact, you’re getting a killer workout because the one-inch increments are enough to fire up the muscle and make it more elastic, but not too big to tear the muscle.

IMG_6609Some articles say that the major benefits of barre are improved posture, muscle definition, weight loss, increased flexibility and reduced stress. Women at just about any age and fitness level sign up for classes.  Barre classes are perfectly fine for pregnant women because they’re not high impact. They may even help with imbalance (a common issue during pregnancy due to that growing belly) and stability.   Weight loss results are highly individualized depending on how many barre workouts you do and how consistently you do them.

Do you have to look like a ballerina (tiny, lean and flexible) to take a Barre class?  The simple answer is no.  Barre is mindful movement. Participants can start at whatever fitness level they are at.  The instructor will lead you through the movements, and suggest adjustments based on each student’s working level.  You will sweat.  Your muscles will shake because of the repeated, small movements.

What should you wear to barre class?   Leggings, a sports bra, and a tank will do the trick.   You may want to wear some grippy socks to prevent slipping.

IMG_6583Why should you add a barre class to your workouts each week?   It’s easy on the joints, low impact, motivating and almost every article I read said that Barre targets “problem areas” for women.   Who doesn’t want to target those “problem areas”?    Articles also said that results could be seen and felt in as little as a month for people that add 2-3 barre classes a week to their workout routine!!

Still apprehensive?    Rivercity Pilates is offering “Barre Basics Getting Started Package” that includes a Barre Basic Workshop and a package  of 5 Barre classes at the studio. The Barre Basics workshop will teach you everything you need to know about this dance and Pilates inspired workout! The workshop will go over all the basic movement patterns and techniques used in Barre classes, give modifications for different bodies and give you a chance to practice basic Barre sequences!  You can save 20% if you sign up by August 22nd and you’ll be off to a great start with your new Barre practice!!

Click the image below to sign up for the Barre Basics Getting Started Package!Barre Basics Package (1)

 

 

 

Inspiration of the Month Jennifer Reekers

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Empower your Body-Inspire your Life!Jennifer Reekers

Inspiration of the Month

November 2014

Jennifer Reekers

When did you start Pilates and what inspired you to start?

Given some weight gain and history of low back pain, I initially began Pilates with Rivercity back in 2012 in an attempt to strengthen my core and create that long/lean body we all seek! I was amazed how just one consistent mat class per week could strengthen my body.  That same year also became the time period when I decided to change careers and my Pilates practice became nonexistent as I allowed my full-time school schedule to dominate my life for almost 2 years. Today, my new career as a hairstylist requires me to stand and use my entire body for long lengths of time so I became concerned with how the physical requirements would impact my 30+ year old body. My goal is to have a healthy, strong body without my intermittent back pain. I figured if one Pilates class per week had such a positive outcome… completing multiple classes per week must feel pretty amazing?! Out of curiosity for how my body would respond, I decided to fully dedicate myself for the month of August to a highly-attended Pilates routine. I enjoyed it so much that I chose to commit to my new routine indefinitely!

How often do you practice Pilates and what type of sessions or classes have you been doing?

Thanks to the newest option to purchase MONTHLY UNLIMITED Pilates Mat classes at Rivercity, I currently practice 6 times a week in the group setting! I schedule all of my classes one month in advance which allows Pilates to be more of “an appointment” in my weekly routine vs. “do I feel like working out today?” With scheduling my entire month in advance, it holds me accountable. I attend Pilates mat class twice a week, barre class twice a week, and also the Arms/Abs and Thighs/Buns classes.

What benefits or improvements have you noticed in your body and life from doing Pilates and how has it benefited the other types of exercise you do?

I have always had a straight/boyish figure but now I’m beginning to see the start of a waistline (yay, for curves)! In just 3 months, I am definitely more flexible and toned, and I no longer experience the pesky back pain! My posture is much better and my core is the most solid I have experienced since my teenage years (and I’m excited for the continued progress)! My coworkers have complimented the difference in my body even through my clothes, which are fitting better. I also really notice tone and strength added to my legs. After my initial one-month stint of Pilates alone, I returned to the gym to complete my previous leg/machine workout… and my usual weights had become too easy! I had to add 10-15 lbs more weight to achieve the optimal leg workout. I even beat 2 large, muscular men in a friendly competition of “who can hold a wall-sit the longest.” Overall, Pilates is the ultimate form of exercise. It rejuvenates me mentally while toning from head to toe and reduces the strain I was experiencing from standing all day long.

Do you have a favorite Pilates exercise?

Call me crazy, but I really enjoy the side-laying leg series (because I used to absolutely dread it)! It’s a true testament to how your outlook changes given the small achievements over time. Initially, I lacked the range of motion therefore leg series felt really uncomfortable. Now that my body is more open with improved strength and flexibility, I enjoy the challenge of the movements while enjoying more toned hips, butt, and thighs!

What would you say to someone who is thinking about doing Pilates?

When I tell others that I practice Pilates, I find many people are intrigued but either confuse yoga with Pilates or assume that it’s not a “real workout” in comparison to other forms of exercise. Pilates is such an incredible, well-rounded form of exercise as it strengthens you from the inside-out! First, I definitely recommend someone come to Rivercity as this is the only true Pilates studio in the area! Second, I tell people that Pilates is something that an individual needs to EXPERIENCE in order to truly understand the benefits. If planning to give it a try, CONSISTENCY IS KEY! I highly encourage someone to COMMIT to Pilates for at least 8-10 weeks. Whether it’s one class a week… commit to that one class per week for a designated length of time and only THEN, determine how Pilates makes you feel. When you initially start, the smaller movements may not seem like much in comparison to the stereotypical workout… but you WILL notice a different kind of full-body strength, both mentally and physically, over time!

Tag Archive for: Barre Classes