Barre-sentials

Let's Hit the Barre

Since my new addition to the barre, I have never felt so strong. Yesterday I was able to do a few chin-ups! YES, not one, but a few (like THREE!!). I feel dainty, but toned. If you haven't had a chance to try the barre, you must!!

What is barre?

Barre is a fusion of mat pilates, yoga, and ballet- inspired sculpting moves. There are a lot of little movements that you are doing that are tremendously challenging. When you walk into a barre studio you will usually see a wall with mirrors along with a ballet bar attached to it. You may also see a variety of props (mats, balls,  hand weights, bands, etc).

I love barre clothing. If you checked the history on my computer, you'd find about 4-5 websites that I visit frequently on there. I've always been one to wear fitted shirts, even during pregnancy and post pregnancy, despite my lack-of-baby-but-ever-so-present bump. I know that is not the case for everyone, but barre clothing is very fitted. The purpose of this is so the instructor and your self can see the movements in your leg. It's easy to hid a bent leg in a loose fitting pant, which is why it isn't recommended.

Here are a few of my favorites, despite the price :)

Also socks!!! A crucial part of barre are socks that provide traction. Since you do a lot of planks, babalancing, and maybe a few tendus, you need socks that have grip. Here are a few cute ones. Also your barre studio may provide a pair for you for a small fee.

Can't get to the barre? Check out these following links for a great workout at home!

Hope that helps with what Barre is. I could post and pin barre clothing all day long.

What is your favorite barre pose? Least favorite?

Enjoy! See you at the Barre!

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FALL Fitness Friday

Another Friday and guess what?! It's my birthday!!

So how was your week?

I took a lot of this weekend and week to rest! My legs are starting to get more stiff from running. I was so glad to have tried Dr. Scholls Active Series Insoles. They helped my shoes last just a little longer. 

This morning I also did some Yoga for Running. Which helped me a lot on my 9 mile run today.

Here was my week in fitness:

Saturday: Jog to and from work (1.5 mile total)

Sunday: rest

Monday: 

Tuesday: Blogilates videos

Wednesday: 2 miles in the morning, 3 to the park, and .5 mile home.

Thursday: yoga for running (see above), 9 miles

Friday: planned (run and weights). I gotta get my extra frosting badge on Nikeplus

Our eating wasn't sooo great. For the days we ate healthy, I've consumed too much suga :(.

Here is a quick yummy dinner for mommas or daddies on the go:

4 chicken breasts

1 bottle of Italian dressing

2 cups of quinoa

1/2 onion

1 clove of garlic

Place chicken in crockpot and pour bottle on italian dressing. Heat on low for about 7 hours. 

Thirty minutes before dinner, saute onion and garlic in 1 T of olive oil. Saute unitl translucent. Then add dry quinoa. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring often. 

Bring 4 cups to boil. Add quinoa mixture. Continue to heat quinoa on medium until water is absorbed. Enjoy!!

Hope you have a great week!! Remember that exercise is heart healthy. Eating right is what makes the scale move :)!!

 

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Portable Pilates Studio by Empower

I recently got to try out the Portable Pilates Studio. I was so excited when the brown box was awaiting at my door. I quickly opened it up and assembled it quickly. It was very easy to assemble, which I appreciate because many times I have to read the instructions propr to assembling equipment. But this was simple. I was eager to try it out.

That night I put in the DVD and watched all three workouts.

My arms were burning!! I loved it. I still needed a little finesse when it came to some of the moves on the Portable Pilates bar.

What I loved about it was how versatile it was. Sure, its a little big and I probably won't take it to the park, but I can use it standing, sitting, or lying down.

What I really liked about Empower Fitness is the support they have for women. After having a baby, I have been eager to get back into shape. It's not easy, day after day, to find the motivation to stay fit and well. I appreciate their ability to provide products and quick workouts for those of us with little to no time. Even though my love for running can dominate my workout schedule, I love to throw in new things. When I got to try out the Portable Pilates studio, I went online and  found that they have so many other fun exercise tools.

The other great thing about Empower Fitness is that they have a wealth of videos for workouts available here on their website.

Overall here is my rating:

Versatility: 

Wowee Wow!! There is SO much you can do. I enjoyed the arm portion of the video where you are using the bar horizontally and lifting up toward your chest. You can also loop both hoops in one leg or cross them for added resistance.

Fitness Impact: 

I was definitely feeling a burn. My arms did a lot the first time. The next few times though, I made sure to space out my resistance between my upper and lower body. 

Fun: 

It was so much fun!! There are so many different ways to use this bar. I found it to be extremely challenging in some areas (hip flexors)

Size:

Its a little big, but not bulky. I found it to be slimmer than my yoga mat and fit nicely in my mat carrier.

Affordability: 

29.99 plus it comes with a DVD I thought it was pretty reasonable for how much it accomplishes!!

So what do you think? Have you added Pilates into your training?

Sponsored by Empower Fitness. The thought and opinions are my own :)

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