Pure Barre Challenge Part 2

After my first Pure Barre class, I was sore EVERYWHERE. I took the weekend to recover, but Monday morning I was determined to go back for my second class. That day I also started Stroller Strength’s spring fitness challenge, which meant fitness testing: I ran a timed mile, did as many pushups and squat jacks as I could in a minute, held plank in perfect form to the point of exhaustion, and performed the long jump. So I returned to my second Pure Barre class sore and tired–and man, was it ever tough!

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I tried my best to power through my soreness, but I found it really hard: my body just wouldn’t do what I was telling it to do, and I don’t think my legs have ever been that shaky before. One of my favorite things about all the instructors at Pure Barre is that right when you think your body is literally going to crumble to the floor and you can’t hold onto a pose any longer, you’ll hear these ennouraging words: “You’re almost there! Imagine what you want your thighs to look like. Why did you come here?” It’s just what I needed to pull through for those last ten counts. Whenever I work out, and I’m really pushing myself to the max, I have to talk myself through it by saying things in my head like “Dig deep,” “Only ten more seconds,” etc. –so having the instructors encourage you right when you really need it is very helpful.

By Class 5 I felt like I was really getting it and understanding the motions (tiny controlled movements!) a lot better. Now that I have taken 11 classes, I think the entire atmosphere and class setup is downright ingenious! Pure Barre classes are an enjoyable experience from start to finish.  You start out with upbeat music and a warm-up, and the music is perfectly timed to accompany all the movements. When you start to feel your legs shake, and you’re about to break, the music gets faster and sort of frantic. Cue in the instructor, who tells you to hang on; you’re almost there–then comes the calming music, and you’re stretching the muscle group you’ve just exhausted. Throughout the class, the lights keep dimming until your last three minutes, when you complete the workout by reworking all the muscle groups you’ve just exhausted.

Hopefully I'll look like this by the end!
Hopefully I’ll look like this by the end!

After my eleventh class journey, I am still sore, but feeling stronger. I don’t know yet if I have lost any inches or weight (I’ll have my halfway testing for Stroller Strength at the end of my Pure Barre Challenge), but I can definitely see a difference in my body. I think my butt has already gotten a little higher, my arms have become more defined, and my thighs are stronger. We’ll see how I am after the next nine classes!

If you want to learn more about Pure Barre Jacksonville Beach you can visit their website to view the current schedule and pricing. You can also follow them on Facebook for news and events.

Megan Kilis
Born in Jacksonville and raised in New Orleans and Houston, Megan attended college in Knoxville, then worked in Nashville. From her nomadic lifestyle grew a love for the beach, as well as a fondness for Cajun food and jazz, Texas BBQ, Tennessee football, and everything Music City. She is a work-from-home mompreneur with a passion for business, fashion, fitness, community, and all things mom. Having fallen in love with her parents’ hot plumber Mike in 2007, she married him two years later in her parents’ backyard. After their spunky curly-haired charmer Kingsley was born in February 2010, Megan decided not to return to her job. While spending time as a stay-at-home mom, however, she realized that Jacksonville was lacking some important resources for moms–so in August 2012, she asked her friend Vicky to join her in starting Jacksonville Moms Blog, now Jacksonville Mom. Megan loves learning more about her city; connecting with other moms, as well as connecting moms with one another; and discovering new local businesses. As the blog has grown, so has her family: in May 2014, she and Mike welcomed a spirited baby boy named Britton. When she’s not working on Jacksonville Mom, you can find Megan sweating it out with other moms, shooting skeet with Mike, or running around on the beach with her energetic duo!

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