As I’ve recently transitioned into being a full time stay at home mom of 3 kids under 5, I have found that my system is craving low impact workouts that are highly effective, while being calming, versus energizing. I have minimal time and want to feel both calm and toned after my workout.
I knew from being a former, avid barre class person, that it may be time for me to revisit it after a long hiatus. In the season of changing things up, I checked out Pure Barre Mount Kisco and the class I took answered all of my prayers and more!
You see, as much as I love a good high intensity work out at times, there are days where mama’s system needs a calmer, lower impact work out energetically, mentally and physically. It’s very important, especially as busy mamas are often very taxed and under a lot of stress, to ensure that we are calming our nervous system and not running those adrenals into the ground. For my tips on how to support yourself during stressful times, click here
Taxed adrenals have a severe affect on our metabolism and overall mental and emotional health, so it’s extremely important to ensure were supporting them by allowing our parasympathetic nervous system to be activated through more calming workouts, such as Pure Barre.
The Unique Benefits of a Barre Workout
In addition to Pure Barre workouts being low impact, they are also incredible because:
- Strengthen & lengthen: Targeting specific muscle groups, barre strengthens and tones your muscles without increasing bulk. Emphasis on proper body alignment leads to an overall strengthening of core muscles and the appearance of an aligned, lean body.
- Improved posture: Proper form and posture is reinforced, which in addition to this giving you the long & lean body, you benefit from improved posture. (This can be highly beneficial after being huddled in a nursing position for long periods of time or compromised posture due to weakened core muscles from pregnancy.
- Fat burning: Aerobic exercise in barre increases cardiovascular endurance while increasing the body’s metabolism to burn fat.
- Minimal Equipment: Barre workouts require minimal equipment with many of the movements using your own body weight, with small, deliberate movements.
- Increased bone density: Barre workouts can increase bone density and help you avoid injury, as the small isometric movements used in barre build muscle without straining ligaments and tendons.
- Provides stress reduction & mental clarity: Due to the focus and concentration involved in barre, the workouts increase mind-body awareness and mental clarity, while increasing feelings or relaxation, decreasing stress levels and releasing endorphins.
I meaaaaann, are you literally signing up right now?! Sooo good, right? Well, if you’re wondering which barre class to try, my recommendation is to go to Pure Barre Mount Kisco. Here’s the low down on my class experience and why I think you should, run, not walk there!
Class Type: Classic
“Pure Barre is a collection of 45-50 minute full body workouts that lifts your seat, tones your thighs, abs and arms, and burns fat in 50 minutes or less.
Each class works every muscle group to fatigue, then stretches them back out to create long, lean physiques.
Our method focuses on small isometric movements that create a high intensity, low impact workout that delivers results quickly.”
Basic Deets:
Childcare: No Showers: No
Additional locations: Studios throughout the country, including NYC & CT. In Westchester there is another location in White Plains.
Duration:
50 minutes
The Studio
The space is an intimate, boutique sized space that’s immaculately clean and well lit, lending itself to an inviting and zen oasis for mamas to seek refuge from the chaos at home. With contemporary and minimal design the provides an uplifting, yet serene environment, perfect for a mama workout.
The Class
I absolutely loved everything about the class. The class was at a nice, swift moving pace, while still energetically calm. The music was the same in that it was uptempo, feel good that wasn’t obnoxiously loud or jarring. It was a small, focused class where Lauren, my instructor, was able to give assistance and attention to people that needed it, while still effectively teaching the group.
The movements were focused and small, but SUPER intense. You feel the burn, but it’s the most satisfying feeling as I could just imagine how toned I was getting in that moment! I loved that I wasn’t bouncing around and putting strain on my tired body and joints, but was still getting a hard core work out. I felt my heart racing, muscles burning and body sweating and it was extremely calming and centering at the same time.
By the end of the 50 minutes, we had done leg, core, arm and full body work and I felt calmly energized and ready to take on the day!
Skill Level Required
I’ve been taking barre classes for many years, so while I still needed support as my body is still transitioning post children and surgery, I had a foundational understanding, so I was able to follow along without too much of an issue. I would continue taking that class happily.
However, if you’ve never taken a barre class before, they recommend starting with the Foundations class that really focuses on teaching you the basic movements and techniques.
Will I be back?
100%! The experience was truly everything I needed and more.
I found the cozy and intimate environment to be very soothing and supportive. Nothing was rushed or frantic, but calmly and nicely paced.
I felt like I was working hard and being challenged but not straining or stressing and really enjoyed it. The focus of the movements really calmed my nervous system and felt meditative.
I truthfully was apprehensive as to whether it would be enough for me coming from doing CrossFit regularly, but I truly felt like it was a kick ass work out.
I literally left the class in the best mood ever! I felt both centered and energized for my day! Best. feeling. ever!
