Pure Barre Empower Class Review

Happy Sunday everyone! I hope you all had a lovely weekend; this one sure did fly by fast *tear. I am beyond excited to be writing this post for a few reasons: for starters, I have been wanting to get more into fitness blogging and talk about my favorite workouts, share my workout looks, all that fun jazz. I also get to share all the deets on the new class that my all time favorite, most beloved fitness franchise, Pure Barre, is now offering at their studios. Pure Barre Empower officially launches tomorrow, August 14th, and lemme tell you, it’s a fun one!! I was able to take a preview class at my local studio and am so excited for it to be officially on the schedule.

Top ($50) (similar) // Leggings ($47) (similar)

I have been taking barre classes for over three years now, and have been going to Pure Barre studios across America (seriously ha, I’ve gone to a few in Chicago, Boston, and Orange Country now!), for over two. I would go everyday if I could, but typically make it into the studio 4-5 times a week; I also am a member of Pure Barre onDemand, so I can take classes from home. Seriously, it’s ma fave.

Over the years, I’ve found myself to be living proof that every workout is not one size fits all, and different people are going to respond differently to different kinds of workouts. For me personally, I have seen the most dramatic effects out of going to Pure Barre. It has improved my flexibility, my core, transformed my abs, legs, arms, and back, is amazing for my mental health and allows me to get an hour each day just to myself. I find the time goes by crazy fast, and each class is always different and challenging.

The new Empower class, like the regular barre classes, is low impact, but high intensity. It combines classic Pure Barre exercises, that work your arms, thighs, seat, and abs, with cardio centric circuits. The class is 45 minutes compared to the traditional 55, and uses a 6 inch step platform, ankle weights, and free weights to get your heart rate up and seriously push your limits. Your heart rate will be up, AND the class will heavily tone your muscles, so it’s the best of both worlds.

So, like I mentioned, I LOVED this class. It was crazy fun and super energizing. The class is quick paced and flows quickly between movements, and because it was my first time, I definitely wasn’t as perfectly on cue as I am with the traditional Pure Barre classes. Overall though, I thought keeping up and following along was very doable and I didn’t miss too much amidst my confusion! Pretty much every exercise is modifiable, ie. push ups on your knees, drop the weights at any time, and I for sure leveled up and down throughout the class depending on how I was feeling.

We started the class with some gentle stretching, which was a great way to get the blood flowing and the body warmed up for quicker movements. We didn’t waste any time afterwards and immediately jumped into cardio circuits, some of which we involved mountain climbers, walk-out style burpees, and jumping jacks. The strength exercises worked all parts of the arm and back, (it was so tough doing arms with 2 pound hand weights with the ankle weights wrapped around my wrists!), planks, bicycles, and other fun ab exercises, as well as plenty of lunges and squats. Everything just flows together, and paired with the killer music in the background, I thought it really made the class fly by. It was also really cool using the platform! I wasn’t exactly sure how I would feel about it (and was definitely nervous to see how it could potentially be used to torture us… ha, kidding), but it ended up being a great way to further challenge and push yourself. One exercise we did with it was uneven squats; one leg would be elevated on the platform and the other would be on the ground floor… Seeeerious killer, my inner thighs were crying later that night!

I would recommend this class to anyone who is looking for an alternative form of cardio, maybe you want to replace running with something that is easier on the joints, or for anyone looking to burn extra calories but also focus on strengthening and toning muscles. This class shouldn’t be intimidating to anyone, any level of fitness can be accommodated. I think it definitely helped that I am familiar with traditional Pure Barre classes and particular exercises, just because the class is so fast paced and it can be trickier to figure out what you’re supposed to be doing if you haven’t heard of some of the moves before. So ideally, it would probably be of major benefit to take a regular Pure Barre class before trying Empower. One thing that is so great about Pure Barre are the instructors and how they always take time to focus on everyone in the class and help with adjustments, modifications, and help push you to do more and really get the most out of your workout. The classes often have a private instructor like feel because of how hands on they are- They’re the best!

Thank you Pure Barre for letting me come try out your fun new class- See ya at the studio!

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