As someone who is very interested in trying every new workout class and trend, I knew that going to school in New York City would provide me with an endless list of opportunities to continue "refining" my taste for fitness classes. I had my fair share of classes that were fairly boring, too intimidating, and simply impossible for the average person to endure.
My first experience at Barre3 had been completely different.
My friend had sworn by the class, but I had definitely been hesitant to try it out of the fear that it would be too challenging or that I wouldn't like it. The price for the package, however, had been reasonable, and my friend insisted I go with her, so I eventually gave in. The problem was that our schedules did not match up at all. She had work some mornings and I had lab in the evening. Just when a part of me had felt relieved at the idea that this wouldn't work out, my friend recommended we try the 7:30 am class. I had shuttered at the thought – why would I wake up as if I had an 8 am to go exercise only to go straight to my back-to-back classes?
Something in me made me go one Thursday. The class is like nothing I've ever experienced before. The studio booms with upbeat, motivational music even before you get upstairs. The sweeping views from the corner studio offer a breathtaking view of 6th avenue, and at the early hour, you see the city being to wake up as you do the same.
Every instructor that I've ever had in Barre3 has been motivational, yet calm, and extremely helpful. The playlist is lined up perfectly with the coordination of the moves. There is also a clear incline and the steady plateau, then more of an incline throughout the class in terms of difficulty and speed. You work every single part of your body, and the isometric movements that appear minuscule will cause your legs to shake and burn like never before.
The rhythm of the class is extremely effective. The pace beings slow as you begin each move, and then after a certain point, it picks up. This class is far from stagnant – it works by pushing you to the point that you want to give up, and then driving you to dig even deeper and keep going even farther. It is the happy medium of being manageable, but challenging. It's difficult, but possible.
Every class opens with and closes with deep breathing and stretching. The sense of community in the class is present, but in the moments of hard work and personal challenge, the class becomes highly individualized. This class is the perfect balance between everything; the level of difficulty does not matter, because it truly is customized to each and every person as each move can be modified.
Waking up early to go to Barre3 is so worth it. Nothing feels better than being in such a supportive environment that provides the perfect setting for self-improvement and hard work. You wake up with the motivation to push yourself, embrace your body and it's purpose, and connect to the people around you who share in this wholesome and wonderful experience...What other way would you want to start the day?
