I had a wonderful mid-week treat last night that involved two of my favorite things…
Barre and the park!
Out of everything I have tried in the world of fitness, would you believe that I’ve never taken a yoga or barre class outside? It’s been on my radar for years, so I was thrilled when I received an invite to attend a Pure Barre in the Park class hosted by Pure Barre Rochester.
Pure Barre will officially be in our area and open in Downtown Rochester mid-October!
Longtime readers might remember the days I used to teach barre classes. I don’t always miss the 4:30 a.m. wake up calls to drive across town and teach 6 a.m. classes four days a week, but I sure do miss the workout and being in the studio every day!
For the newbies, barre is a total body (55 minute or less) workout that concentrates on the areas that women struggle with the most: hips, thighs, seat, abdominals, and arms.
Photo credit: Pure Barre Rochester
The Pure Barre technique is low-impact, and protects your joints with effective strength training and without having to bounce or jump. Each major section of class (thighs, seat, abs) is followed by a series of stretches, and this back-and-forth pattern creates the look of lean muscles without bulk.
I talked Scott into coming with me – although I didn’t have to try too hard – and the two of us arrived at Bloomer Park with enough time to say hello to the owners (both are incredibly sweet!) who were teaching, set up our mats, and get ready for class to start.
While most classes in the studio involve equipment like balls, bands, and light weights, this one only required a looped resistance band. We used them in so many ways!
The last barre class I took was at a Pure Barre with blogging buddies in Los Angeles. I had been itching to get back into classes again, so this event came at a great time.
I was also glad Scott came to join me, and he even had a few other guys to keep him company in the back. (If you look close enough in the photo above you can see them!)
I’m not sure what’s going on with my jacket, but I was glad to have it.. brrr.
We started with a warm up that proved to be a challenge – even without the weights – thanks to high repetitions of arm movements and variations of plank holds. We then went through the normal routine of thigh, seat, ab, and lower back exercises with a good deal of stretching in between.
We used the resistance bands for a lot of the exercises on everywhere from our ankles to our arms… or both. Oh, and “the pretzel” made a comeback.
It’s amazing how much that exercise can work in just a short amount of time. I’m not sure if I love to hate it or hate to love it!
As class came to a close, I took a look around and truly felt in my element. While it was a bit chillier than I’d like, I still loved the feeling of being out in the park. There’s just something about the outdoors around the sunrise or sunset that is so serene.
I certainly look forward to visiting the studio when it opens in just a few weeks, and I am hoping to get back to the barre on more of a regular basis.
Thank you to Pure Barre Rochester for giving us a great class in the great outdoors!
Question of the Morning
• Do you take barre classes?
• Have you ever taken a fitness class outside?
I’ve taken workouts outside before, but (as I mentioned above) this was my first barre/yoga class in a park setting. I really need to make more of these happen throughout the warmer months. Taking a yoga class on the beach is on my bucket list, and I really don’t know why I haven’t gotten around to it yet!
![[in our elementary school era] 🚌😭
Skyler did great walking into KINDERGARTEN with a big smile on his face this morning. I, however, was a bit of a mess on our walk home. 🥹
It’s wild how fast these 5 years with him have gone … 7 since we moved to NYC and into our apartment, dreaming of the day our kids would someday go to the *awesome* school right down our block. 🏫
That day is today, and I still don’t believe it — feeling allll of the emotions and thanking God for placing us here and for being able to trust His timing through the journey. 🫶🏼 #hbshinnyc
SO proud of you, SK - you are going to rock your first year at your “big boy school” - WE LOVE YOU !! 🩵👑](https://lifeinleggings.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)
I just did my first outdoor yoga class! It was great other than the wet grass
Kristen recently posted…Madison Garden Marathon
Oh no! Yeah, the uneven surface was a challenge, but well worth it!
gah I love pure barre!! My local studio had a pop up class at the beach last weekend and it was SOOO much fun!!
kaitlin @4loveofcarrots recently posted…2015 Greenwich Wine and Food Festival
That sounds amazing!!
I have not taken a barre class but I have wanted to! Also I have been wanting to find an outdoor fitness class (yoga would be fantastic) but there has yet to be one in my area. Looks like it was a perfect night for a workout in the park.
It was a bit chilly, but still very nice to be outside. The cold is really starting to roll in!
I stream barre classes at home and am always surprised at the burn in your arms using little to no weight!! I haven’t done a class in a while and really should do one soon. Unfortunately, there are no barre studios in my area so at-home classes are the only way I can do it.
I’ve worked out on my own outdoors but have never taken a class. It’s also on my bucket list to take a beach side yoga or pilates class.
What website or video do you use? I work out doing yoga at home but would love to try barre.
I’ve actually never streamed barre online, but I know you can take classes from Physique 57 that way! http://physique57.com/shop/all-products/online-workouts/ Ballet Beautiful is also pretty similar. https://lifeinleggings.com/healthy-eating/ballet-beautiful-workouts/ 🙂
I have a subscription to Fitnessglo (http://www.fitnessglo.com). If you like working out at home I highly recommend this site. They are constantly adding new videos ranging from yoga, pilates, barre, strength, cardio, HIIT, tabata, kettlebells and I find the way they shoot their videos it makes you feel like you’re actually attending a live class.
Thanks so much for the suggestion!
Right? I always think the same thing. How can this little exercise burn SO much? Love it!
That park setting looks so serene! A few years ago, I did an outdoor bootcamp that ran from 6-7 AM Monday to Friday. Since I’d paid the monthly fee, I made sure to go every single day even though the early wake-up was brutal. I felt so refreshed after getting my workout done first thing, plus lots of fresh air.
Kait recently posted…Weekend Gainz
I used to think people that willingly workout out that early were nuts. But then I started teaching that early and fell in love with the energy. Good for you for getting out there! It’s another level of dedication 😉
I’ve heard so many good things about barre and it’s on the top of my list of things to try whenever I can get around to affording it!
Meagan recently posted…Spencerville Family 5k Run/Walk Recap
It can get expensive. Have you ever tried purchasing DVDs or streaming online? I know you can take classes from Physique 57 that way! http://physique57.com/shop/all-products/online-workouts/
I’ve done a Barre3 workout in the park a couple of times. A local studio hosts the class every summer. And this summer I tried SUP yoga for the first time. That was amazing!! Yoga, the outdoors, being on the water – it was the perfect combo! Hope you get to check yoga on the beach off your bucket list soon! 🙂
SUP yoga is another one on my bucket list! I guess I should start practicing yoga and paddle boarding more… separately first. 😉
What a nice event! And how cool that Scott went with you. Barre is particularly hard for guys! I have been going to barre classes twice-a-week the past month, so I’ve been getting my fix. As far as outdoor workouts, YES, there are a lot of them around the San Francisco Bay Area, so I’ve done yoga, boot camps, running, weights, you name it. Good stuff!
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West recently posted…Get your mouth right with proper oral care
I know it! I actually used to have Ryan Anderson from the Magic in my classes… it was great. It was also amazing to see how little movements can make tall men like that shake and burn! 😉
LOVE BARRE! Almost went to this event too, but my favorite class at Xtend Barre Rochester Hills is on Wednesdays at the same time as this one was held. Xtend Barre is holding free classes at Lululemon in the Village of Rochester every Sunday at 11am, beginning this Sunday through the end of the month too! So pumped to finally drag my friends to a class!
Oh man! I’ve taken at Xtend before too. It’s a great studio! Thanks for the info 🙂
I have a goal to try a Barre workout sometime soon!!!
I always used to tell clients give a barre class 3 chances. The first time you don’t know what to expect, the second time you do… but you’re still getting used to the flow of class, and by the third time you kind of have a sense of what you’re doing. And it’s awesome!
I would have loved to have been able to come to that! I literally live around the corner from there 🙂
Oh man, wish you knew about it sooner! They’ll be having more events leading up to the opening so keep a lookout!
I definitely will, thanks for posting on it
I’ve never taken a barre classes but it sounds like it hits all the things I need – especially the mix of stretching with exercise! There aren’t too many places with classes near me now but I’m hoping to move soon and find at least one new class to try – exercise and meeting new people! I’ll have to keep my eye open for a barre class 🙂
Alexandra @ My Urban Family recently posted…Top 5 Things I Love About Illinois
Yes, I love the pattern of strengthen, stretch, strengthen, stretch, etc. That’s probably what I miss the most about taking classes so regularly! I’m not nearly as flexible as I used to be.
I just started working front desk at my local pure barre studio because I love it so much….hope to teach someday! I’ve never taken a class outside before- that sounds so fun- and yay for your hubby joining you too!
fitgirlprettyworld recently posted…The Current Questionnaire
Oh fun! I used to enjoy working the front desk when I wasn’t teaching. You get to chat with all of the clients and I just enjoy being in a studio <3
Love Pure Barre, but have never done it outside! Being outside makes everything better for me so I’m sure I would love it even more!
Lindsey recently posted…Put The Boo Back in Booty: 13-Day Booty Challenge
No doubt! I’m a little bummed the cold weather is rolling in. I’d love to find more classes to take outside!
Heather recently posted…Pure Barre Rochester in the Park
I’m lucky in that my city does free classes downtown every Saturday in the summer. I have taken yoga twice and Barre3 once. I love being outdoors and doing yoga (the grass is much harder to balance on though!). As far as barre classes, I have only taken Barre3 once outside and once at the studio. Honestly, it’s just not for me. Though I’m sure my knee would appreciate it.
That IS lucky! I still haven’t tried a Barre3 class. I don’t think there are any in my area!
What a fun workout! I would love that!
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul recently posted…Mealtime with Punkin
I saw one of these pics on your Instagram last night and was so jealous! And thinking how cold it must be, lol. I have only done barre videos at home, I would love to do an actual class, especially outside! A vineyard by me does yoga and wine tastings outsides, I hope to try it this fall!
Patricia @ Sweet and Strong recently posted…Healthy Relationship with Food
I love doing fitness classes or working out outside. Something about the fresh air! I wish more studios had this as an option.
Sabrina @ Nutritiously Sweet recently posted…Friday Favorites #7: All Things Fall.
This looks like so much fun!! I haven’t taken a PB class outside yet–my studio was supposed to do one in September with a Lucy store, but the plans fell through. 🙁 That exercise with the double tube is so tough!! And if you head to their studio you’ll have to let me know if they have any of those cute Circle P long sleeves in a small–I might have to give you money to get one for me and send it to me. 😀
Beth @ Sublimely Fit recently posted…Friday Faves #52 + A GIVEWAY!
i love those leggings ! did you get these from http://www.ootdleggings.com ?
Thanks! They’re actually CALIA (from Carrie Underwood). Here’s a post with all the details: https://lifeinleggings.com/fitness/bodyweight-pilates-core-workout/ 🙂
great thanks broooo