BARRE CRAWLING

I recently decided to try a barre class for the first time, and boy, was I in for a surprise! As a woman of a certain age, I thought I had a pretty good idea of what to expect from a workout class. What I didn’t know is that I would be using bands, balls and muscles I never even knew I had!

 As I walked into the studio, I was greeted by a perky young instructor who looked like she could do a split while sipping a latte. I took my spot at the barre and looked around the room at the rest of the class, all of them looking toned and fit. I tried not to let their impressive ballerina-like moves intimidate me as the class began.

 We started with some basic stretches, and I thought to myself, "Okay . . . this isn't so bad." But then, the instructor pulled out a small ball, and I knew things were about to get real. We were instructed to place the ball between our thighs and do squats. It wasn't long before my legs were shaking, and I was sweating profusely.

 Next came the bands. We attached them to the barre and did a series of arm exercises. My arms started to feel like limp noodles, and I could barely lift them, but the instructor kept encouraging us (me) to keep going. Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, we moved on to the mat for some core work. We used the ball again, this time placing it under our lower backs and doing sit-ups. My abs were on fire, and I could hardly breathe.

The class ended, and I stumbled out of the studio feeling like I had been hit by a bus. I could hardly walk the next two days, and my arms felt like they had been replaced with Jell-O. But as they say, tomorrow is another day, and I was determined to give it another try.

The second class was just as challenging, but I could feel my body getting stronger. I even managed to keep up with the class this time! 😊 By the end of the week, I was addicted. I was sore, but I felt accomplished and energized.

So, if you're a woman over “a certain age” and you're thinking about trying a barre class, go for it! Just be prepared to use muscles you never knew you had and to walk like a penguin for a few days afterward. Trust me, though. . . it's gonna’ be worth it!