Haute Barre (and a giveaway!)

Since my accident a few months back, I’ve had to totally re-think my workout. At one point several months ago I was doing Crossfit a few times a week and heading to the gym regularly 4-5 times a week. I was bound and determined to stay fit and keep the weight off.  Then the accident had me out for a few months and now slowly getting back to a routine. However, it wasn’t the same routine, I just couldn’t do it. It was too difficult for my recovery and to be honest, I had been doing it for a few years and I was getting bored.  Heading back to the gym was becoming uninspiring to me, but I still made the trek several times a week.

Rewind to about a month ago and I was saying to friends and co-workers, I need something new for fitness in my life – any suggestions? No one had any. Can’t train for a 5K or 10K (bum knee) but I need something challenging.  Then Amber from Haute Barre Studios invited me to her studio to try out this great cross training exercise. I was so desperate for a change I was up for anything! I told Amber about my injuries and what I’m unable to do, so she offered some alternatives to certain movements. When I got to the studio I found my spot along the barre with a mat and was told to get a set of weights.  2, 3, or 5 lbs.  In my mind I was laughing.  What? Where are the 20, 25 lb weights?  So OK I grabbed a set of 3lbs.  Wow!  Was I completely thrown by how sore my muscles felt after this workout! I am thrilled to be adding this class to my weekly workouts!

About halfway through the Haute Barre class I thought, hmmm this must be the exercise that all these young 20 and 30 year olds do to have great looking bodies! Because I swear every muscle in my body was being worked. Haute Barre is hard on muscles (in a good way) and kind on joints. The small, very controlled movements help you to hone in on the muscles that help your joints function and strengthens them. There is a lot of core training which is so important in your posture and overall back health. My entire body was completely worked and I was sore, in a very good way, from head to toe.  I even brought a co-worker to one of the classes with me and her reaction was the same way.  My first class I attended I asked the woman next to me if she’s been doing Haute Barre for awhile. She said she’s been doing it for about 2 months and she has seen a very visible and significant change in her body with weight loss and muscle definition.

Amber has a great deal for Fab Over Forty readers! During the month of September, you can get $15 off the unlimited 5 week package of $99.  That’s less than $17 a week for unlimited fitness!  When signing up, use the code faboverforty to get the discount! BUT, one lucky reader will get a free, 3 class package!  All you have to do to enter is put in the comments your first name and why you want to try Haute Barre, to be eligible to win.  Also, since this studio is in St. Louis Park at the West End complex, you need to be able to get to the classes in order to enter.  Contest winner will be randomly chosen and contest ends at 11:59 pm September 4th.

 

Contest is now closed.  Congrats to winner Tasha!