Hitting Barre Class Milestones at B.YOU!
When you reach the 100 class mark at B.YOU fitness, the studio celebrates by giving you a little present -- a bracelet with a B.YOU charm -- and by posting your photo across their social media channels. For the first time in my life, 100 classes at my fitness studio sounds like a fun goal rather than an arduous task. I'm still pretty far away from that 100-class mark, however, I did hit some pretty significant milestones of my own in class this week.
On Tuesday, I completed my 20th class. Now, for most folks, that's a pretty standard attendance record after they've belonged to a gym or studio for a couple of months. For me, it's life-changing. When I joined B.YOU in February, I was in severe pain from a back injury. Slowly but surely, the shakes, burns, and stretches of B. Barre classes helped me build core strength and decrease my pain levels. It doesn't hurt that the classes are so enjoyable, with wonderfully supportive instructors and participants. Yesterday, as I was leaving class, my instructor, Jessica, complimented me on how much my form had improved. It was a really big deal for me, considering that I couldn't walk without pain only a few short months ago!
I love the the "Yes, You Can!" attitude of the instructors at B. YOU. The attitudes of the instructors and the women in classes are always so supportive and encouraging. There isn't the competitive vibe that you see so often in exercise classes -- the classes are quite challenging and we're all doing the best we can. It's a great place to get fit and connect with a group of wonderful women. I hope to see y'all there as you set a few milestones of your own!!
{This post is brought to you by b.you Fitness!}
{Please note that I am speaking only from my personal experience. I am neither a medical professional nor a barre instructor. I was advised by my physician to work on core strengthening.}
Yes You Can: Barre Fitness at B.You
At least once, during every barre class at B.You Fitness, the instructor encourages you to push just a little harder -- to take a pose one inch deeper or raise your arms one inch higher -- with a gentle, yet emphatic "Yes, You Can!"
Over the past few weeks, as I've worked on rehabbing my back injuries in barre classes at B.You, I've come to associate that very phrase -- Yes, You Can! -- with B.You classes. After only a few weeks of stretching, strengthening, and toning in barre classes, I find myself believing that I can do more.
Last week, as Louisville was covered in more snow than anyone cared to measure, I realized that the first anniversary of my back surgery had arrived. I didn't think a whole lot about it, because I was actually shoveling snow off my back deck that day. I was (mostly) pain-free. Of course, the groundwork had been established by a great surgeon, determined physical therapists, and a supportive network of wonderful friends and relatives. But, the "I Can" portion? That was all thanks to B.You!
Please join me throughout as I embark on a journey of fitness at b.you. I'll be posting every Monday to let you know how the classes are going, and you can keep up along the way on HerKentucky's Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Follow b.you on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as well!
I hope to see y'all at b.you soon! They have two convenient locations here in Louisville: one in St. Matthews and one in Springhurst!
{This post is brought to you by b.you Fitness!}
{Please note that I am speaking only from my personal experience. I am neither a medical professional nor a barre instructor. I was advised by my physician to work on core strengthening.}
So, What Do You Wear to a Barre Class?
Finding the perfect outfit to maximize barre fitness class results!
It's B.Fit February here at HerKentucky. I'm rehabbing a back injury with lots of help from the amazing team at B.You Fitness. I've also teamed up with B.You to let y'all know a little more about barre fitness classes and their amazing results. Last week, we did a basic rundown of the exercises you could expect to do in a barre class. Today, we'll discuss what to wear.
So, here's the biggest difference between barre class and any other class you've attended: you'll need special socks. Of course, you wear trainers to most "traditional" fitness classes and bare feet to yoga or Pilates. The poses you'll do in barre class require special, non-skid socks which are available for purchase at the studio. It works well to wear slip-on shoes (Ugg-style boots work well!) to make things easier.
As for clothing, you'll want to go with leggings, tank tops, or other close-fitting exercise garments. These allow a free range of movement and give your instructors a better idea of your form so they can easily make arrangements. B.You has a wide selection of clothing available for sale in each of their studios, and they can help you find a great workout outfit!
Of course, don't forget that you'll be inverted at times and moving around a lot, so you'll probably want to grab a hairband or ponytail holder to keep your hair pulled back.
Finally, remember to hydrate! Bring a water bottle with you to class; I promise you'll need it!!
Please join me throughout as I embark on a journey of fitness at b.you. I'll be posting every Monday to let you know how the classes are going, and you can keep up along the way on HerKentucky's Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Follow b.you on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as well!
I hope to see y'all at b.you soon! They have two convenient locations here in Louisville: one in St. Matthews and one in Springhurst!
{This post is brought to you by b.you Fitness!}
So, What Do You Do in a Barre Class?
What to expect in a barre fitness class.
Before my first b.barre class at b.you last week, I have to say that I was a little intimidated. I'd heard friends and acquaintances describe barre fitness as "life-changing" and "revolutionary", but I didn't exactly know what went on. There were some noncommittal references to yoga, Pilates, and dance, but never anything concrete. And certainly nothing to silence my fear that I'd fall flat on my face.
It turns out that most of barre class comes down to a series of fluid, controlled movements that seek to lengthen and work arm and leg muscles while maintaining an engaged core and neutral spine. There are, indeed, some positions that you'll recognize from yoga (planks and extended child's pose spring to mind) and Pilates (several variants of the 100s). And, even if you're like me and know nothing about dance, you will recognize positions like plié.
The class will start with some very focused arm exercises, using 2 or 3 pound weights (or, if you're on modifications for back injury, as I am, with no weights at all.) You'll work biceps, triceps, and shoulders. The motions are controlled and smooth, and believe me when I say that you can tell the difference even without the use of weights. You'll then move on to a series of leg exercises -- again, smooth and controlled is the key. You're seeking to engage your glutes while keeping your core strong. Your final exercises will include planks and floor work for your abs. It's a full-body workout; don't be surprised to wake up with sore muscles the next day!
I can already tell that b.you's b.barre classes are an excellent aid in rehabbing my back. After only a few visits, I'm already walking with less pain. The emphasis on core strength is literally just what the (Neurosurgeon) doctor ordered to strengthen my back and help to offset the injury to my discs.
Please join me throughout as I embark on a journey of fitness at b.you. I'll be posting every Monday to let you know how the classes are going, and you can keep up along the way on HerKentucky's Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Follow b.you on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as well!
I hope to see y'all at b.you soon! They have two convenient locations here in Louisville: one in St. Matthews and one in Springhurst!
{This post is brought to you by b.you Fitness!}
B.Fit with HerKentucky + B.You!
HerKentucky Writer Heather C. Watson gets fit with Louisville fitness studio b.you!
So, last year, I had some back trouble.
Two discs, conveniently located at either end of my spine, were wreaking major havoc with nerve endings. It wasn't very fun, and it was even less fun to treat. After extensive physical therapy, steroid treatment, and a surgery, the proverbial ball is in my court. I've been treated, I've experienced a lot of relief, and now it's time to work on strengthening my spine. It's going to take a lot of hard work, but that's a small price to pay to reduce the risk of further disc degeneration.
As I was searching for a fitness facility to help me on this journey, I kept hearing great things about b.you Fitness. I reached out to b.you's co-founders, Stephanie Bristow and Rashna Carmicle, to see if their fitness program would be a good fit as I worked to alleviate some of the residual pain from my injuries and sought to prevent further degeneration. I am so, so glad I contacted them, y'all!
Image courtesy b.you.
B.you is unlike any other gym or fitness studio I've ever attended. The classes are a mix of barre, Pilates, yoga, dance, and orthopedic stretching. The more advanced classes even include aerial fitness: you're actually suspended from an aerial silk hammock for the duration of the class!
Image courtesy b.you.
What I was most excited about, though, was the personal attention I received in my consultation with Rashna and Stephanie. I met with their staff Physical Therapist to discuss how my fitness regimen should be modified to accommodate my injuries. Unlike a lot of gyms, where the mentality tends to revolve around "How much can I deadlift?" or "How far can I run?", the emphasis at b.you is on maintaining correct form and ensuring the correct movement.
Please join me this month as I embark on a journey of fitness at b.you. I'll be posting every Monday to let you know how the classes are going, and you can keep up along the way on HerKentucky's Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Follow b.you on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as well!
I hope to see y'all at b.you soon! They have two convenient locations here in Louisville: one in St. Matthews and one in Springhurst!
{This post is brought to you by b.you Fitness!}