by Karen Shelhorse, STL Fitness Trainer and mizzFIT Fitness Over Forty blogger
Leggings and skinny jeans are “in” and so is having the legs to wear them. Anyone can throw on a pair of leggings but let’s be honest, the “skinny” fad looks best on toned and shapely legs. The Bar Method workout gives you just that. It’s your go-to for legging prep and studios are popping up everywhere because women love the results. Bar Method classes will whip your legs into shape and give you a workout that kept me, a trainer, sore for days in all the right spots!
The program is ballet and dance-oriented, taking inspiration from the workout of professional dancers. Form and posture are closely observed and modified by instructors. If you’ve never danced before, don’t worry! You don’t need prior dance experience and the class is easy to follow especially since many of the instructors are actual dancers who explain movements and transitions clearly. The exercises are intense and incorporate very small movements in a planned progression. Expect to sweat and feel your leg muscles shake. You’ll work these muscle groups to a point of fatigue and then stretch to make them long and lean.
The Bar Method warm-up (the first 15 minutes of class) includes upper body conditioning with light weights. The rest of class targets the lower body and core using the ballet bar and the resistance of your own body weight. The class finishes with a series of yoga stretches and relaxation that will have you feeling stronger, leaner, and invigorated. In the morning, you’ll receive a welcome reminder of your workout (ouch!) and all the results to come. Those leggings and skinny jeans are waiting for you.
The Bar Method, www.thebarmethod.com
There are currently studios in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey, New York and Washington, and more coming soon.
Photo credits: The Bar Method of Portland and American Apparel