I signed up for a class at Barre3, Trinoma without knowing anything prior other than that I have to bring a small towel, water bottle, extra clothes and non-slip socks (optional) and that I should not have a medical condition. Also, I had this tiny bit of overview on Barre3 which I read from its website:
“Barre3 evolves the dancer’s workout by combining the grace of the ballet barre with the wisdom of yoga and the strength of Pilates. Barre3 classes are set to an upbeat soundtrack and follow a vigorous pace moving through a sequence of postures designed to shape and lift the entire body.”
As you know (or not), as much as I’m all about food, I’m all about fitness, too! Barre3 is new to me, so I’m more than willing and excited to try it. Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is hard but is necessary.
In this post, I will be sharing what I learned from attending the Barre3 community class for the first time. Also, I will listing a set of reminders on how to prepare before attending one (just in case you’re interested to join in).
What to Do in Preparation for a Barre3 Class
1. Wear the Right Clothes
Upon knowing that Barre3 is a combination of Pilates, yoga and ballet, my initial thought for the appropriate attire consisted of: yoga pants, sweatshirt, sports shirt and anything comfortable. High-five if you’re thinking the same. We’re right.
When attending a barre3 class, wearing shorts is not recommended because you will be sitting and lying down on the floor about half of the time. You don’t want your skin to be injured by friction or get really dirty afterwards. Also, this is not the time to be wearing a ballerina’s tulle skirt.
2. Wear Non-slip Socks or Go Barefoot
Non-slip socks are those with grips on the bottom and have good traction. Wear these (and not thin socks or regular socks). In my case, since I don’t own a pair of non-slip socks and did not consider buying one for the sake of this class, I just went barefoot which is fine.
3. Eat a Complete Meal
You don’t want to feel your stomach growling because of hunger as you can’t concentrate on the barre3 workout exercises. You also don’t want to fall ill because of lack of energy. Hence, eating a complete meal is ideal to make sure that you have something substantial in your stomach at least an hour before the class.
4. Come on Time (or Earlier to Perform Pre-warm-up Exercises)
In any session, event or activity, coming late is a no-no, in my book. Showing up on time (or early) is a sign of professionalism and responsibility. Plus, if you’re early, you can have more time to prepare yourself by doing pre-warm-up exercises before the actual warm-up exercises. Trust me, you’ll need them.
5. Have the Proper Mindset
It’s good to be prepared both physically and mentally. Know that you signed up for this class not to play around, meet faces and pass time. In addition, having negative thoughts such as “I can’t do it” or “This is too hard” will not do anything beneficial for the exercise. I remember one of my friends say, “It’s all mental” 😆 and he’s right! Expect to feel body pain but accomplish your goal of finishing the class. In other terms, don’t think of giving up.
Lessons Learned from Attending a Barre3 Community Class at The Spa Wellness (Trinoma, Quezon City)
1. Barre3 is Not Easy
Sure, I perform workouts regularly. However, this does not mean that I am not challenged by the exercises in this Barre3 community class. The steps were not all comfortable and familiar. Not one person in the class had been able to perform every single exercise perfectly. In the same vein, not one person in the class was discouraged either. The class had a supportive environment. Everyone worked at her own level, and the instructor was helpful.
2. Persistence is Key
Yup, I felt my thighs shaking. I breathed heavily with the tiny beads of perspiration forming on my back and forehead. Despite that, eyes closed, I thought and smiled to myself: I’m hooked. I may not be the best one in the class but definitely I may be one of the most persistent. When the instructor says last four counts or last 30 seconds, PUSH was all I did.
3. Don’t Compare
Comparing yourself against others will do no good in barre3. It’s better to keep track of your own progress so you remain focused. Don’t see the flaws of others; see yours. Have faith; your mental fortitude is half of the battle.
This is the ends of my post. Hope you enjoyed reading! Now, tell me – have you tried attending a barre3 class before? Did you love it or hate it? Tips are much welcome! To find out more about Barre3 Philippines, check their FAQ page here.
Barre3 Studio Philippines (inside The Spa Wellness)
3rd Floor, Wellness Zone, TriNoma Mall, North Ave., Quezon City, Philippines
For inquiries, contact 9008809
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