Monday, March 23, 2009

Bar Method Review

Saturday morning I pulled back the 'Orange Curtain' and cruised down the 405 frwy to get to Hermosa Beach to check out this new workout class.

According to the website:
The Bar Method™workout creates a uniquely lean, firm, sculpted body by
combining the muscle-shaping principles of isometrics, the body-elongating
practice of dance conditioning, the science of physical therapy and the
intense pace of interval training into a powerful exercise format that
quickly and safely reshapes and elongates muscles.


We arrive at the building - a really cool, old bank building and are greeted by a very sweet adorable girl. We fill out forms, pay $22 and put on our socks. Yes, you work out in socks. The class was small - about 12 women, all of varying body shapes. The environment was very comfortable, which I'm glad because you do some weird looking moves (think squeezing butt cheeks).

The teacher warned us that "shaking is normal." Then she tells us to get 2lb and 3lb weights. I think to myself that this will be a breeze. We do a little warm up, then start with arm exercises. They weren't too hard for me, but my friend was really struggling. Then we do push ups. You do a million reps of everything. Then we go to the "bar" like a ballet bar and start with the leg exercises. We do these things called pretzels, mannnnnnnnnnn on mannnnnnn my legs were shaking by the end of that one. Then you do some core work - some of this was tricky. Then more push ups.

Overall I liked the class. It was a fun change. But I'm more of an intense cardio kind of girl. Sunday morning, my gluts hurt a little and my pecs (from all the push ups). I probably wouldn't drive to LA again to do it. And if I am going to spend that much on a class, it would be Bikram - hands down.

Other news: Maybe date 2 was even better than date 1.

19 comments:

Amy - the gazelle said...

hmmm - doesn't really sound like my kind of class, either. however, date 2 sounds like my kind of update needed! how am I supposed to live vicariously through my single friends if they are so cryptic!

Sarah said...

Sounds interesting!! But $22 / class?! Ouch...

Very excited to hear about these dates...

raulgonemobile said...

Man, I heard 'bar method', and I was all excited. No pints or highball glasses to be found anywhere here.


Sounds interesting, though..

Aron said...

sounds like it was a good experience, but you are definitely a bikram girl :)

ok when do we get to hear more about the dates?!?!

carrie said...

Way to leave us hanging! :)

chia said...

That does not really sound like $22 worth of goodness, thanks for the review!! Yaaay for man-cheese!

Christine said...

That sounds boringggg! At least you know! Now I'm really intrigued about Bikram but the closest studio is like an hour away! :(

Carolina John said...

Tell us about freaking date 1 already!!!!! and go buy another house plant, for goodness sakes. Get some green hanging around that house before you move out.

Chic Runner said...

okay tell us about the dates!!!!! :) secondly that class sounds interesting but not my cut of tea either. Thanks for sharing, and ps i miss you.

Heather said...

You must be in badass shape to not be sore. Me, I'm doing lunges with no weights and can barely walk. Good god. I'll get back to my previous self, someday.

Intriguingly exciting about the dates!

X-Country2 said...

Eeee, I'm so excited about your fab dates!

Interesting stuff about the class. Made my arms hurt just reading about it.

RunnerGirl said...

Date #2, eh?? Do tell!

Alisa said...

I think I've done a class similar to this before back when I lived in Boston. I would rotate that class, pilates and weights and had a nice balance. It certainly wasn't something I'd want to do everyday either.

I am soooooooo intrigued by this new Mystery Man...is that his name or does he get a super fun, creative one like the others?

Jess said...

Yikes $22 for a class. That is pricey. But it's cool that you tried something new. And yes when we will get an update on date number 2?

teacherwoman said...

Oooh, a 2nd date? Nice.

Jess said...

$22 is a lot!

Jogger said...

$22 plus gas for a mild glute shot and some pushups? Bah! Bikram sounds more worth it to me as well.

You're killin me with this dating cliff-hanger!

sunshine said...

Sounds like a kick-butt workout!!!

RunToTheFinish said...

sounds like a decent workout, but I'm with you..for a drive and fee I want some major sweating.