It seems like bar workout classes are becoming a dime a dozen these days. While the many different forms of bar workouts have similarities, they also distinguish themselves with variations—some slight, some completely unique–that allow students to find the classes that best suit their needs, bodies, level and tastes. More options are never a bad thing.
Tonight I finally got to try Figure 4. After Dori’s review, I was excited to check it out–and she also gave me a personal assurance that I would love the class. Well and Good (love them) hosted a free class at Pure West, and I was lucky enough to secure a spot.
Figure 4 is a class created by dancer Kate Albarelli.
I took Kate’s classes at Physique way back in 2007, but remembered how much energy and enthusiasm she had. I also recalled that her classes were hard!
Figure 4 is a combination of dance, pilates, yoga and strength training for a workout that you will feel from head to toe.
After rushing through the beautiful lobby of Pure, I made it to the class just in time to say hi to Ashley and Ellen before grabbing one of the last spots in the room. I later met Sam, who has a great blog!
However, rather than start on our mats, we moved directly to the bar. Kate explained that the legs are the largest muscle group in the body, so by firing them up first you crank your metabolism throughout class and even after.
We began with standing leg work, lots of plies and squats in various positions, including the ever challenging chair squat. The exercises started out slowly, built in speed and ended with 20 pulses and a 5 second hold. By the end of the leg section, my heart rate was up.
We moved the mat and picked up out tiny 2 pound weight for some arm work. Never underestimate two pounds folks, by the end of slow lifts, fast lifts and pulses of several different exercises, I could feel it. The last few days of workouts have left me wondering why I never seem to gain upperbody strength. Next we picked up our “heavy” 3 pound weights. Kate instructed us to get in low plie squats before beginning the arm work. She explained that a dancer’s body is created by working several muscle groups in tandem. You never should work just one. While I am sure the dancer’s diet also contributed to the lean physique, I definitely agree that workout several muscle groups gets the heart rate up far faster than working just one.
I love that Kate called us out on our tricks, like squatting low enough to look like you are working, but really being just high enough to be comfortable. Get down there, she said.
Next push ups and the standard lotte burke planks with alternating knees.
Up until this point, the Physique influences were very strong, in fact, it was very much like the Formula 57 class I recently took. And since I love P57, that’s a good thing. However, the use of the ballet ring was a completely new element. The ballet ring helped us focus our ab work while also targeting the inner thighs, the section was brief, but effective. Kate’s energy helped me hold things through several counts or make it through 20 reps. I am not going to say I made it through every set, I noticed that here or there people around me also had to take a quick break. The moves were intense! But Kate really pushed us through it with a great playlist and lots of encouragement. Sometimes the instructor makes all the difference in whether you push yourself through the last few counts or just collapse to the floor.
Then it was back to the bar for another leg seat section. We did the standard leg and seat raises in the now familiar slow, quick, 20 pulses pattern. Once again, we moved to the floor to finish off the seat.
Then Kate told us the worse was over and dimmed the lights. Oh no, I thought, I felt like I need just a little more ab work. While most of the class engaged the abs, I really wanted to feel my abs burn one more time. And I got my wish. We did the final ab section under the bar using the strap to hold us in curl. By the end, I felt fully satisfied. It was all I could do to end with seat work using the ring.
I really loved the class. I rarely love a class the first time, but this was an really challenging class with lots of variation, so I never got bored and never knew what was coming next. It was also very high energy with upbeat music, which makes or breaks a class for me. I like workouts to be fun and energetic, I am just not a mellow, meditative girl.
Finally, Kate is an amazing instructor, she is motivating, funny, enthusiastic and she really knows her stuff. She talked and snapped the whole class, never resting for a beat. She also explained why we did the things we did and how they helped work the muscle and change the body. Understanding the physiology always really helps me focus and target my workout. Kate really explained how she designed the class to be as effective as possible and healthy for the body too. It was clear she has a strong knowledge of the body and definitely pulled in elements of experience as a professional dancer and fitness instructor.
Figure 4 is a great addition to Pure Yoga. I love that Pure Yoga takes the best of all types of yoga practice and puts them in one gorgeous space. While Pure Yoga is just too far from my home to join full time, I love taking the occasional class. If they move downtown and keep adding great classes, like Figure 4, it will be hard to resist joining.
Thanks to Kate and Well and Good for a great Wednesday night workout.
