Top 5 Reasons I Love Cardio Barre
As with most of my ideas, this one came to me in the shower. I had just taken a Cardio Barre class, and I started thinking about the reasons that I love it. And the reasons that I drive through LA traffic to get to it (seriously, though, so bad). So as I was thinking about it I decided to come up with a list of the:
Top 5 Reasons I Love Cardio Barre
It makes me prettier.
I’m not saying it takes me from a 5 to a 10 or any nonsense like that. But I can definitely see a difference in my face when I regularly take classes. My skin looks clearer and more plump. My eyes are brighter. I look, in a word, younger, and I’m always on board for that, y’all.
It’s efficient.
This is a huge, huge, huge plus for me. If you’re anything like me, you’ve put in hours and hours at the gym trying to run and stretch and lift your way to a better physique. When I was a senior in college, I took around four hours of dance classes almost every day. Four. Hours. And I smoked. I would die today, I think.
The efficiency factor comes from combining both the cardio and the toning all into one neat little wrapper. As far as I’m concerned, this is what sets the workout apart from other barre-based classes. There’s usually a lot of toning and not enough cardio involved, so I’ve had to supplement when taking other classes. But who wants to take class for an hour and then go running? Better question: who would?
No one. Crazy people. Models. I don’t know. But the point for me is, what is the purpose of toning the muscles on your body if they’re covered in a layer of insulation that you’re not working off? Remember the definition of insanity, folks. This class packs everything into one hour, and that’s it. Best of all, I don’t feel like I have to go seven days a week. If I make it to three, I feel like a champion. Four, I might actually lose some weight. Five and I’m having the pizza and the ice cream.
It shapes your muscles in a specific way.
And that way is long and lean. If you’re looking to bulk up, this class is probably not going to be your cup of tea. Better to stay at the gym upping your poundage and drinking protein shakes. Or however you bulk up; I’ve spent my life trying to do the opposite.
The use of low weights, specific ballet-inspired muscle sculpting moves, and good ol’ fashioned leg lifts produce results that I haven’t seen since my teen years. Then, I was having a coach yell at me to work out. Now I pay someone to yell at me to work out. It really comes full circle, doesn’t it? Seriously, though, the aerobics videos of the ’80s weren’t far off. There are exercises that just simply work.
Being in a class makes me work harder.
I don’t know if it’s an internal sense of competition or the instructors picking on me, but I definitely work up more of a sweat and feel different when I’ve been in a class than when I stay home and do a DVD. Plus, there’s variety. Fitness class instructors, no matter what your venue of choice is, put work into planning those classes so that their students don’t get bored. Doing the same DVD every day is great and will probably help, but it won’t give the same results as an in-the-flesh instructor.
It helps my mood.
Now, this is not specific to Cardio Barre, at least not for me. As someone who has struggled with depression most of my life, I rely on exercise to help elevate my mood. If I don’t get some sort of endorphin rush every day, I can feel it in my psyche. And I usually need a good boost of cardio to get that rush.
So there it is, my ode to Cardio Barre. Seriously, though, any form of exercise is better for you than nothing. Even walking around the block every day gets blood pumping, fresh air in your lungs, and can help with a myriad of health issues. So get out and sweat.
Random Thoughts for today.
Insomnia. Jesus. I am having the worst insomnia this week. I don’t know if it’s PMS or the moon or what, but my body will not let me sleep. It’s the yucky kind, too, where I get right to the verge of sleep and then I can’t quite drive over the cliff. It’s driving me crazy. Hopefully by this time next week I won’t be a drooling mess, but no promises.
And raise a glass for my poor husband. He’s so patient. I’m sure I’m insufferable right now due to lack of sleep and he’s been babying me. He’s been cooking dinner and being really supportive.
What’s your favorite workout? Leave me a comment or message me here!