North Bay Woman

14 NORTH BAY WOMAN | S P R I N G 2 0 1 4 By Jane Lott Photos by Stuart Lirette Small movements, great results. That's the theme of a new trend of barre-based fitness classes that have been gaining popularity in Marin. And it's not just hype. If done as directed, these three methods deliver. Each uses small movements, performed a muscle-shaking number of times. Each uses props, particularly the ballet barre, and each incorporates philosophy and exercises from other disciplines, particularly yoga, Pilates and kinesiology. Which one is right for you? Check out the guidelines below. Better yet, attend a couple classes at each location to find the instructor and method that suit your goals. PURE BARRE Touted as the "fastest, most effective, but safest way to change your body," the Pure Barre method was developed in 2001 by Michigan businesswoman Carrie Rezabek Dorr, whose stated goal was to create not just a fitness franchise, but a lifestyle brand. Today, there are more than 200 Pure Barre studios across the nation. What has caused the exponential growth? "It works," says Mary McQuillians, who attends Pure Barre at the Strawberry Village Shopping Center. "I've lost weight. And I'm definitely stronger. When I came to the first class, I couldn't even do the plank." At 57, McQuillians was looking for an exer- cise program that "didn't require jumping up and down" in order to protect her joints. One day, she "just wandered in" to see what Pure Barre was about. Now, eight months later, McQuillians says proudly, "I can do a push up!" However, the same movements that make Pure Barre effective do require a certain amount of agility, body awareness and coor- dination. For example, one isometric routine requires standing on tiptoes in a first position plie while doing pelvic tucks with your arms over your head. Although Pure Barre use moves based in part on formal dance techniques, no previous RAISING THE BARRE Pure Barre enthusiasts know that barre routines will help tone and firm muscle groups without the impact to your joints caused by other workouts. Pure Barre folds in formal dance techniques within this discipline.

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