Article in Muscle & Fitness Hers called "Class Acts

[fitfan]

There was a little article in the latest issue of Muscle and Fitness Hers that talks about what's hot in clubs around the country? One of the classes in NYC is called Spin & Barre.

"It's described as a traditional high-intensity spin class jazzed up with sculpting exercises and ballet stretches. Students use the bike's handlebars as a ballet barre".

The draw: According to the creator, when people are short on time they eliminate the stretching from their program. She solves the problem by incorporating the stretching right into the class in a way that's far more intensive than the usual obligatory stretches at the end of a Spinning session. We can see the results in the participants' elongated, dancer-like muscles."

Has anyone heard of this class or taken it?

[Looch]

Hey Fitfan,

Spin & Barre classes were started last year, if I am not mistaken, by Mirabai Holland of the 92nd Street Y in NY. She charges about $20 per session. Although I have never taken one of her classes, those who have really enjoy the sessions.

[BFSpin]

Did the article mention in what way the barre exercise is incorporated into the class?

I do barre work 2 - 3 times a week in addition to my classes; separately, though. The advantages are obvious...there is nothing quite like ballet barre stretching and turnout exercises to counteract some of the muscle tightness we get from being on the bike. Great balance. Personally, I'd love such a class and know many others who would as well.

However, I'm thinking about the logistics of such a class on two points: barre work requires a reasonable amount of space for movement - in the 2 gyms where I teach there is no possible way such a class could be done without eliminating half the bikes or creating a new studio. Also, if the barre work is at the beginning or end of a class, would the members be tempted to skimp on that stretching the same as some do in a regular class? Another thought: handlebars are kind of slick; a ballet barre is not. How do they hold their foot position on the handlebars without sliding all over the place?

In theory I think this is a great idea. If anyone out there is doing this, I'd love to hear how you're making it work! :)

Beth

[fitfan]

There was no mention of how the barre is used it was just a small blurb at the bottom of the page.

Sounds interesting if it can be done and if there is enough room.

[spinnerpom]

Interesting...our Spin studio at the JCC used to be an aerobic studio with double-leveled ballet barres all the way around the room...they left the barres up when they turned it into the studio and we use them to stretch INSTEAD of the bike!

There's a "barre stretch" class on our schedule, it's held in another room that was outfitted with barres after we took over the original one as the spin studio. It's just barre, no cardio; tends to attract older women, partly because it's so gentle and partly because it's at 11:00 a.m. during the week!

Sara