This post is part of my 2017 New Year’s Resolution to try every group fitness class offered at my gym, The Equinox in Chestnut Hill. See the full list of reviews here.
I’m over 1/3 of the way to my goal! This class is the 14th unique class I’ve taken at the Equinox. I have 22 classes left. Not bad for still being in March! The more classes I take, the more I love this journey and the variety I’m being exposed to. My fear that doing everything would make my body better at nothing is starting to seem unfounded. I do feel stronger because I’m constantly working my body in different ways. I also find myself going to the gym on a day I might not otherwise to fit a certain class into my schedule. Today was a 3 day gym streak. If I hadn’t wanted to take Gold Barre I would have been home making pancakes after two gym days in a row.
Actually that sounds amazing. But I can do that tomorrow. And I loved this class and how I feel starting my weekend!
Today I got to see how Gold Barre was different from True Barre, which evidently is different than plain “Barre”. Taking this class and seeing the connection to ballet I expected from True Barre made me wonder if perhaps the fact that I took True Barre from a substitute teacher shaped my experience. Retake? We’ll see if there’s time. (If you think 3 types of Barre class is a lot, there are 4 types of cycling classes and 5 varieties of yoga. I’m going to try them all.)
Today’s Class: Gold Barre with Melissa Jalali
Class length: 55 Minutes
Description from the Equinox: Do Barre like an athlete. Add figure-skating jumps and focused footwork to your Barre workout and propel your power, balance and endurance. Inspired by Olympic gold medal figure skater Tara Lipinski.
What Class Was Like
Exactly what you’d expect from the description. (Be still my beating heart!) Melissa was a great instructor. Friendly, clear instructions, helpful modifications, and turned her mic to the side to help individuals with form as needed.
Clear ballet and figure skating influences throughout. A low impact workout: jumps were optional and not a large part of the class and the modified version was still challenging especially if you went lower into the bend.
Class began with a ballet floor workout: pliés, tendus, ronde de jambes, relevés, etc. Sequences were short and easy to follow, I feel confident that I would have been as comfortable even without a ballet background.
Barre work was more figure skating inspired. We would hold the strap on the barre and using the strap for support to lean back into replicas of different skating positions. For example, with one leg extended behind us we would stretch our arms forward as though we were holding onto a partner with both hands on the ice and bend the standing leg deep. Straighten up, then bend knee and pull back. Or, with foot in a figure four position (ankle over knee) we would use the strap to keep us from falling and sit into a deep one-legged squat and then return to standing. In both exercises, you could picture how they would translate to figure skating, and your standing leg muscles burned.
Floor work completed the class with some pilates-esque core work and then gentle stretching.
Would I go back?
Yes, this was a great class! A lot of the lower body exercises worked muscles that are essential for running and cycling. And while you might not think of this class as an upper body workout, holding your arms in second position (outstretched to your side) for extended periods of time for exercises does increase strength. There was a little burning just from keeping them raised. I remember from my ballet class days that if I took the summer off my arms would feel it when classes resumed in the fall. Amusing that I consider my arms strong from swimming but they can still burn in a barre class just from holding them in position.
Who would love it?
Anyone looking to increase lower body and core strength in a low-impact environment while also gently toning the arms. I really enjoyed it. There’s something beautiful about using mostly your body weight and incorporating smooth, fluid dance-like movements and still getting a great work-out.
This class is great for someone new to strength training. Rather than worrying about what size weights to choose or how you’ll feel tomorrow, you can easily bend your knee more or less, go deeper into that plié (or not) and opt in or out of the jump part of a sequence. It’s easy to modify and there’s less opportunity for muscle-tear than there is in a weight-lifting class. (Those classes are fantastic, but I could see a huge benefit to starting with this class and working up.)
Know before you go
Most people did the class barefoot. Socks are also acceptable but they might be too slippery.
It says online to just check in at the front desk before class, but make sure you also get a number. If you don’t get a number, they might accidentally fill your spot from the waiting list even though you’re present and then class can get crowded. Some classes at the Equinox require numbers and some don’t… I’ve just started asking.
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