How to get strong before Pure Barre?

[Anonymous]

The time has come to build my inner core. I realize that years of neglect and child bearing and middle age and what have you needs to come to a halt because I even see my posture going to hell. I tried Pure Barre but it is so hard and for the money, i feel like maybe i can do something else before turning to Pure Barre because Im wasting a lot of the class in pure bewilderment at what I cant do. What can I do at home (i am a single mom) to tone up? Any youtube links or videos or exercises to build inner core would be greatly appreciated. I do cardio--i run 2x a week when possible.

[Anonymous]

My first few sessions at Pure Barre were rough. I am in good shape and still only did 1-2 classes a week the first year. Stick with it! It gets easier as you go.

If you want to get stronger, work on a plank daily at home. Add time and slowly build up until you can get to a minute, then lower your knees if needed. They do 90 seconds in class but not everyone can hold that long, you won't be the only one.

Do push ups daily. If five is all you can do, do that. If you need to be on your knees, start there. Work your way up to a set of 25, no knees. But again, you DON'T have to be at that point to enjoy a class.

If you have a set of barbells at home, try arm walking and bicep curls at home.

Work your way up to a set of fifteen reverse push ups.

Cardio doesn't do much to prep you for barre. It's a good supplement to classes though, so keep it up.

Maybe you'd feel more comfortable doing the PB classes by video at first.

You might also want to look at Bar Method which in my opinion is more focused on form, and works at a slower and more thoughtful pace than PB, which I also enjoy. They have Bar Basics classes for beginners.

[Anonymous]

Planks, planks and more planks Try different variations- side, one leg raised, plank reach where you hold a plank and slowly reach one hand forward to tap the ground- be sure to hold your body straight/not sway while doing this. also when doing plans be sure to brace your shoulders, abs and glutes.

Goblet squats are also great for building leg and core strength. Brace your abs as you go down.

[Anonymous]

do some planks at home. My wrists really bother me in some PB moves but the rest of it is great-

[Anonymous]

I have taken over 250 PB classes and it is hard. I find the warm up to be torture. What gets me through is knowing each section is about seven minutes and each exercise is even shorter. Don’t feel bewildered or embarrassed we all feel that way. Also find a teacher you vibe with and go to that class. Add new teachers as you move on. Ask around veterans know which teachers are really tough and which are super form focused.

[Anonymous]

Try pilates to build your core then add in pure barre.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Try pilates to build your core then add in pure barre.

Where can I do this without a gym membership? Any video/streaming recommendations ?

[Anonymous]

Pure barre fanatic here. I try to go daily. This is what I would advise:

Go to class as much as you can. The more you go, the stronger you will become. Going a few times a week will definitely help, but doing it repeatedly is good for your body and mind. Pure barre is not easy to learn. Most people don’t realize the movements need to be small and controlled. It’s as much mental as it is physical. You will eventually be able to hold a plank and then eventually be able to push up to straight arms without coming out of the plank. It’s all about practice, just like anything else you try to learn.

Really listen to the teacher and focus on the specific body part you’re working on (thighs, seat, etc). The teacher gives great verbal cues and maintaining form is very important. At my studio, there are definitely teachers who focus on form and offer corrections and or modifications. Seek out those teachers. Read yelp reviews. A good teacher is so important and I try to go to those I know will correct my form and challenge me.

If you really don’t want to continue class until you get stronger and I understand this because it’s VERY expensive, try pure barre on demand. You can do a class at home. I like this option because there are so many classes to take and it’s doesn’t have to be 45 minutes or even 60 minutes. They have 15 and 20 minute classes that you can work your entire body or specific body parts. I’ve done a number of them and they are good. The only negative I see is that you don’t have a teacher to correct your form if you’re doing the exercise wrong. But doing those classes will make you stronger and you’ll be prepared for a studio class in no time. Best of luck.

[Anonymous]

Try yoga - there are a lot of free yoga classes on YouTube. Fightmaster yoga is excellent - search for her yoga for beginners videos then work up from there.
Ekhart yoga is also good.
If you practice a few times a week it will build your core strength.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdzYPCQRm9o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfBMM4n8XWs&list=PLEs9dX8UXFZqbJf-Cbm3zYDVkS53PlThW

[Anonymous]

Same issues and I did pure barre for a year on an unlimited membership. You know what actually worked for my inner core? Core Physical Therapy. My midwives wrote a script, it’s covered by insurance, and my PT incorporates Pilates and the reformer and hands down I’m a believer.

[Anonymous]

Planks and variations as others have said.

Also, really work on muscle awareness: knowing how to activate specific muscles and feeling the difference when you do. You can build that on your own, and then focus on just doing the workout when you're in classes. If PB is not easy to learn, it's only because most people lack that muscle awareness; once you have it, the movements are very straightforward. Practice makes progress.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Try pilates to build your core then add in pure barre.

Where can I do this without a gym membership? Any video/streaming recommendations ?

Windsor pilates is on YouTube! Enjoy!
https://youtu.be/YW2eRv4kCag

[Anonymous]

I would recommend physical therapy. You can take a DIY approach to getting strong but when I went I was surprised at which of my muscles needed strengthening. I thought it was my legs that were weak but actually it was my hip flexors. And they gave me personalized exercises (turns out I wasn’t yet strong enough to do planks, I needed to build up to them). Now I can totally keep up with pure barre.

I recommend MMA sports rehab if you’re around Arlington. They took my insurance too.

[Anonymous]

I've tried all the DC barre classes and Pure barre was my least favorite. Try barre3.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've tried all the DC barre classes and Pure barre was my least favorite. Try barre3.

I tried all 3 as well and barre3 was my least favorite.