Barre fitness offers low-impact workout with big results

By AMY STUMPFL
For Brentwood Home Page
Looking for a low-impact, high-energy workout that produces big results? Well, belly up to the barre.

A unique blend of Pilates, yoga and strength moves, barre fitness uses very precise, but intense isometric motions – along with the resistance of your own body weight – to sculpt muscles, build flexibility and tone the body. Students use a ballet barre for balance and stability, but make no mistake about it – this is not a dance class.

“Our workout was created by a dancer and choreographer, so it does incorporate some dance positions and postures,” says Kady Decker, owner/teacher at Pure Barre in Brentwood. “But it’s definitely not a dance class. It’s very intense, very challenging and really made for a woman’s body – strengthening and elongating muscles. You’re targeting the butt and hips, upper arms, and working on core strength.”

Decker opened her first Pure Barre studio in Nashville in 2009, following up with the Brentwood location in 2010. Between the two studios, she guesses that she has about 2,000 active clients.

“I love teaching and helping clients achieve their fitness goals,” Decker says. “This may be the only time they have for themselves, so it’s a real privilege for me to have them spend that time here.”

As the owner of Seren Motus Fitness Studios in Cool Springs, Suzanne Bowen agrees.

“The most rewarding part of my job is that I help real people become passionate about working out and becoming healthier,” says Bowen, who also has created a successful line of fitness DVDs. “I love the ‘aha’ moments when they click with an exercise or when they lose 45 pounds and say that they credit our studio with saving their lives.”

'Intense, but very gentle on the body'

Bowen takes a very personal approach to instruction, moving around a class to quietly adjust a client’s position or posture. For optimum results, she recommends taking classes three to four times a week, but insists that you don’t need to be particularly fit to start.

“It’s intense, but very gentle on the body,” she says. “So beginners and more advanced students can work side by side, both getting a great workout. As you get more comfortable with the form, you can keep challenging yourself to go lower or hold a position longer.”

That challenge is just what Brentwood resident Suzann Overton was looking for when she started working out at Seren Motus last July.

“It had been several years since I had done any regular exercise, and I had never taken any barre classes before,” she says. “I wasn’t necessarily looking to lose weight, but my body definitely has changed. My core is stronger, which has helped my back – I feel like I’m not as susceptible to injury anymore. My clothes fit better, I’m better toned and generally feel better.”

Not just for women -- husband's a believer, too

Overton was so pleased with her results, her husband Brian decided to sign up for Bowen’s BarreAmped Boot Camp class.

“I think he was really impressed by the workout. It challenged his legs and did things for him that weightlifting had never done. We’re both big believers.”

Cherry Stone, also of Brentwood, says she was amazed by the results of her Boot Camp experience.

“I had always worked out before I had kids, but after having my third child last April, I really felt out of shape,” says Stone. “I started working out at Seren Motus in February, and I lost 12 pounds in six weeks. I absolutely love it. It’s no impact, so it doesn’t hurt my joints. But it’s still challenging and fun.

“My arms and legs are more toned, I’m in a better place emotionally,” Stone adds. “Suzanne’s method has changed my body.”

Our series is designed to be interactive and we welcome your ideas, feedback and personal stories about getting fit -- or the challenges you've faced trying to do so. Please email your thoughts to news@brentwoodhomepage and put GET FIT in the subject line.