Meet me at the Barre

My Thursdays evenings are now spent at the Barre sweating myself painfully through plié's, passé's, and relevé's with attitude! Attitude is another ballet term just in case you think I am trying to be street ;) I had to Google the ballet glossary that my instructor chants at me throughout my hour of pain as I have no idea what she is talking about! Luckily the room is covered in mirrors so I just copy all the good ones in class...that's everyone else apart from me...seriously.

I LOVE this class.  It is the hardest exercise class I have ever done, my body shakes and burns constantly and I have to stop for a couple of seconds every now and then because it is SO hard, but I have definitely improved since my first class.  Tonight is my fifth class :)

Xtend Barre is a fusion of pilates and ballet.  The philosophy is to create a strengethened and lengthened body from the inside out to create a lean, toned physique without adding bulk.  I'll go for that!  'Strong is the new skinny' apparently.

The classes are not cheap though - they range from £15-20 per class depending on membership type (eeek!) but if you are anything like me; one of those that pays x amount for a monthly gym membership and never go then your cost per visit over the course of the year soon adds up.  I think last year my annual gym membership cost me around £360, and I probably went ten times!!  That's £36 a visit...oops.

I feel that this year I am investing in my health and fitness, and that is why I don't mind paying a bit more for this class.  It is AMAZING!!  And I practically get one-on-one teaching (because I am rubbish!) with an amazing instructor who used to star in the Moulin Rouge in Paris...she is fabulous! 

The Wellness Centre www.wellnesscentreuk.com is the nicest 'gym' (even though it doesn't have standard gym equipment) that I have ever been a member of.  Everyone strolls around in their socks (no trainers needed) and they are so friendly; on my second session I arrived and the staff were like "Hi Sarah, how are you feeling after last week?".  They remembered my name! That's a biggie. It's the personal touches that make the difference.  I feel part of a community this time, without the generic sound of pounding of treadmills in the background.  I like it.  Very much :)

xx