Barre3: First Thoughts
I've been wanting to do some cross training for a little while now. For a few years, I did online Pilates and Barre/Ballet videos, but I never really progressed as much as I could have, and I was never as consistent as I should have been. I decided to try taking a class somewhere to see how it went, and since I was always interested in barre, when I discovered that barre3 was close to my office, I decided to sign up for a class (which ended up being purchasing three classes because that's their beginner package).
Barre3 is not straight barre - it's a workout that incorporates barre, pilates, and yoga. I think. But anyway, on to my thoughts on my first class ...
I got there and the woman at the front desk (who was very nice and enthusiastic and welcoming) gave me a waiver to sign and showed me the changing rooms, bathroom, lockers, water, and charging station.
I changed, put my stuff in a locker, moved my stuff to a different locker when I realized that there were bigger lockers (my bag fit in easily!), and then made my way into the studio. I grabbed a towel, a ball, and weights, and found a spot by the barre, where I just wasted time and stretched a drop. The woman from the front desk introduced me to the instructor, who asked about any injuries. I mentioned historic knee and back pain, and she said she'd make sure to call out modifications.
A few seconds before class was supposed to start I realized I wasn't wearing my Fitbit, so i ran out to get it ... which meant I missed the start of class. Note to self: next time make sure I move the Fitbit when I change.
The class started off okay, but hard. It was leg stuff and a bunch of poses/exercises I had never heard of (what is horse pose???), some with hand weights. My legs were shaking pretty much from the get-go. I knew less than 15 minutes in that this was too advanced for me.
After a little bit, I started to feel lightheaded, dehydrated, and like I just couldn't do any more. I tried drinking water, and when that didn't help, I sat down by the barre with my head between my knees. The instructor came over, asked if I was okay, and said I could go out for air and come back when I was ready. So I did.
I came back in once I had splashed some water on my face and was feeling a little better. I joined back in with what they were doing and was able to mostly follow along, trying my best to modify as needed. A little bit after I came back we went down to the mats, and once we did that, I felt like I was doing a little better at working within my range and modifying.
Maybe it's just because I've done pilates before so I'm more used to the mat, but I definitely felt more comfortable once we were on the mat. I did have to modify a few things and work within a smaller range than some people, but I was able to at least partially do everything, which was great.
Also ... I'm not so good at alternating right and left.
Overall Thoughts:
- It was definitely too advanced for me, and too intense early on.
- It seemed like more yoga and pilates than barre ... the only time we really used the barre was for supported push ups. So not really what I was expecting, but I actually that bothered by it. Plus, other instructors may do it differently (the class after me they were told to take straps), so if I go to a class with a different instructor, it may be more barre.
- There were a lot of planks. I didn't do great, but I did better than I expected. Only had to go down to my knees a few times. But this kinda does make me think about maybe trying planks a little more.
- I saw the instructor correcting/modifying some people. I don't know if she didn't do that for me because it was my first time or if my form was actually okay.
- I think what happened that led me to have to walk out had very little to do with the workout and a decent amount to do with me just not realizing how I would be affected by the heat combined with the intensity. For next time, I need to eat before, hydrate better (with electrolytes), and wear a tank top (I wore a short sleeve race shirt today).
And yes, I think there will be a next time. I need to be better about working within my range and modifying (a lot), but I liked it enough to go back for my remaining two classes. Even when I was feeling really bad, I still didn't hate it. Beyond that ... we will see.
Don't know when the next time will be, since the 6:30 class fills up quickly and I don't love having to leave work before 5, but hopefully I'll decide on a time soon.
