Pure Challenge, Part Two
At the beginning of this month, I signed up for a 30-day challenge at Pure Barre. It's a ballet, pilates, and isometrics- based fitness program with the catchy (and semi-frightening) tagline: Lift. Tone. Burn.
The goal? Complete twenty classes in thirty days. Each class is fifty-five minutes of muscle-curling, thigh-shaking, backside-firming, stomach-ripping exercise. The reward (yes, other than finishing) is a month of unlimited classes for 99 dollars.
After the first class, I'll be honest. The next morning, every muscle in my body ached. I couldn't laugh because my abs hurt. Even when I walked up the stairs in the library, my thigh muscles quivered with fatigue.
The second day wasn't much better. One of the instructors actually told me that some women say Pure Barre is addicting—and I'm pretty sure that I laughed out loud. (of course, I'm more inclined toward a chocolate addiction) But I was also intrigued with her promise that I'd see results in ten classes.
Two weeks later, that skepticism dissolved. My body had changed—it's tighter and stronger—and I felt better. My energy level has increased. I finish each class and smile…and then treat myself to a lovely flavored coffee.
Tuesday at 730 am, I finished my twentieth class and marked the last place off on the board. It was an amazing feeling of accomplishment. I've made some new friends, can do the entire Pure Barre routine in my sleep, and feel much better about getting into a swimsuit this May.
I'm so glad that I finished my challenge, I'm looking forward to the next month of Pure Barre, though I probably won't make another twenty classes. I'd love to hear about recent goals you've set, what it involved, and how hard you had to push yourself. Have a great day! Lauren
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