Thoughts on Bar Method Soho

I didn't think I would go again, but here I am, on the eve of my 3rd Bar Method class. The extreme soreness finally subsided around Wednesday, three days after the day I checked out the studio in Soho. It's the first location to open in NYC, and in speaking to the owners after class, they mentioned a potential second studio to open in mid- or uptown late this year/early next. That's lightning quick growth! But not unexpected, given the immense popularity of Bar Method in the west coast and Manhattan's voracious desire for beautiful places of exercise (see: Equinox, countless yoga studios, etc.)

Michelle has already written a great introduction on what Bar Method here is so I won’t rehash the details, but I wanted to jot down a few notes about my own experience.

The facility is shiny, clean and gorgeous, just what you'd expect from a brand new studio residing in the heart of Soho (it's next to Theory and down the street from Chanel). Each class has room for 20-25 people, and classes are offered throughout the day. Exercises are done on carpet, and you are required to wear socks and pants that cover your knees (the de facto uniform also seems to be entirely Lululemon, as witnessed on every girl in class).

For 60 minutes, our instructor (one of the owners, Kristen) guided us through a routine with various exercises targeting specific muscle groups - starting with the arms, working our way through the quads, calves and glutes, leading to the floor exercise climax designed to work the core. Movements are small yet mighty - every person was quivering and shaking right from the get go. Now I understood what Michelle meant when she described Bar Method as making small changes for a big impact. The class isn't about sudden bursts of speed, but instead focuses on repetitive isometric exercises that require immense amounts of mental concentration and determination. There were times when I wanted to burst out and make large motions because my body was so coiled and tense from holding a certain position.

Afterwards, I was amazed at how sore each set of repetitious moves made me! I like to think of myself as a fairly athletic person, but these were the most challenging strength tests I'd done in long time. My favorite exercises were the ones especially aimed at the glutes, or "seat" as Bar Method instructors prefer to call it. With regular attendance, I can see the body sculpted into a lean mean muscle machine!

Between bikram yoga and Bar Method, I think I'm set with the gamut of exercises. While bikram pushes the limits of my flexibility and endurance, the latter hones in to build and define targeted areas of muscles. With bikram, I feel the results are more immediate - I always feel cathartic and cleansed right away after a class, whereas Bar Method takes longer to see results since muscle tone can't be built from just one session. Over time, a Bar Method body will have much more definition and muscle than the Bikram yoga body, which will be lankier and thin. The biggest visible difference between the two is the level of sweatiness produced during a class. I would never dream of making a date after bikram yoga but after the Bar Method class, I'm able to have brunch in all my dry glory.

Price-wise, Bar Method is more expensive at $35/class vs. Bikram which usually costs ~$20 (or at Yoga to the People, a measly $8). A 10-class package brings the price down to $28/class. Other cities may find cheaper Bar Method locations as Michelle mentioned the one in LA to be $20. I attribute this mainly to insane NYC rent and overhead costs. No worries if you're apprehensive about taking the plunge - Bar Method is offering a free first class to try it! Send yourself an invite here.

Scaling the Walls - Brooklyn Boulders Rock Climbing Deal

Brooklyn Boulders, a rock climbing playground reminiscent of Berkeley Ironworks, is offering a deal via BuyWithMe, a collective discount buying website similar to Groupon and Scoop St. For $45, you get 5 visits, a Learn the Ropes introductory course, and equipment rental! Having gone quite a few times the past 6 months myself, I can tell you that is a STEAL. The first time I went to Brooklyn Boulders, I bought the Learn the Ropes package for $60, which included the class, 2 days admission and free gear rental. With the BuyWithMe deal, you get 3 additional days...and at 25% off!

New York's getting warmer, but for a more challenging activity than tanning at Central Park's Sheep's Meadow, rock climbing at Brooklyn Boulders is a great alternative. The owners converted what used to be a garage into a large indoor space with lots of climbing surface area and tons of other exercise options to boot. The industrial interior adds to the grittiness of the location and only motivates you to leave the prissiness at home and get your climb on.

In addition to toproping (your standard climbing experience with a harness and partner belaying you from below), Brooklyn Boulders also has areas for lead climbing, bouldering (climbing without any straps or protection), angled wall climbing, a tightrope to test your balance, rings, and a dedicated "no-feet" wall purely for strengthening the upper body. It's the untraditional gym you'll love to workout at.

The way Brooklyn Boulders sets up the route markers is easy to follow and straightforward (you pick a color corresponding to a difficulty level and climb all the way up) and they also change the wall layouts often so those who go regularly won't tire of the same routes. Rock climbing is a great group activity since you can relax and cheer on your friends in between climbs, and the multitude of other exercises is like a little playground, where you can dare your friends to attempt random stunts =P

My boyfriend and I have tried to go rock climbing semi-regularly, but I'm hesitant to fully commit to the sport and purchase my own equipment. That said, I do enjoy going every so often to switch up my exercise schedule; it's a fun change of pace to bikram yoga.

There aren't too many options to rock climb in New York City (Chelsea Piers does have a facility, but you definitely pay for the Manhattan location and there's also one much farther out in Westchester), but if you've been looking for a new activity to try, check out the deal and Brooklyn Boulders!

One of the coolest (and quite scary!) walls at BB - you can climb the Brooklyn Bridge!

The Bar Method: Small Moves for Big Changes

During senior year of college, my roommate and I started going to Dailey Method classes in Piedmont as a way to shape up before spring break. We averaged 3 classes a week for a month and I was amazed at the difference it made! Our laziness and lack of funds overcame our ability to continue past the new student introductory month, but I have continued to boast of the results I got from the few classes we were able to squeeze in. Approximately 10 lbs lighter and more toned than I've ever really been, it was the best workout I've ever tried.

Now that I've relocated to LA, the Westside and South Bay are actually quite littered with a few Bar Method studios--all inconveniently too far from me to attend regularly. After putting off making the trek for a year now, a Pasadena studio finally opened up this summer, offering the perfect stop for post-work days! I've been going for 2 weeks now and it's been such a great way to end the day after sitting in front of a computer all day. The Pasadena studio is gorgeous and large enough for classes of 20 to comfortably fit. It's conveniently located in the heart of Old Town Pasadena where you can park in the public parking lot on Delacey Avenue for free, grab lunch or dinner, or even do some shopping after class. I love that they stock their bathroom with Aveda products (including eye make up remover!) for the convenience of stopping by before work if I ever get up early enough for 6AM classes. What I've really loved most about it so far are the instructors--all sweet, helpful, and energetic girls! One of the girls is even a Cal alum! I've yet to take any classes with co-owners Kate and Liz, but am looking forward to soon.

So what exactly is the Bar Method and why does it work? Each 1 hour class consists of interval stretching, toning, and strengthening exercises and poses. The instructors throw in use of free weights, resistance belts, exercise balls, and foam pads for some moves as well. The focus of the bar method is to both burn fat and elongate muscles--a perfect combo for looking leaner. I've heard that it's supposed to help sculpt a dancer's body and the use of the ballet barre for stretching and back exercises offers a fun twist to other types of workouts I've tried. Who wouldn't want to look as lean and graceful as a ballerina? With a regime of controlled, repetitive sets, it's amazing how sore each class has left me because I somehow manage to work every muscle group while I'm there. What's great is that there are many suggested variations to making each set more difficult depending on how much you want to challenge yourself. According to Burr Leonard, Bar Method founder, this is an "exercise that holds a long term fascination."

Each studio offers a $100 new student introductory package, which includes unlimited visits for the first month! If you're interested in trying out one class, there is also the option of paying $10 for the first class and upgrading to the $100 package later. With a schedule as busy as mine, I'm glad that there are later evening classes that I can catch on my way home and multiple weekend classes to start my Saturday and Sunday mornings off with.

I'm looking forward to keeping this up and seeing some more changes! For now, it's so rewarding to know I can barely walk up the stairs in my house after only an hour of getting my butt kicked in class. This is a pricier alternative to a gym membership, but for someone who needs motivation to stay in shape, I couldn't have found anything better.

If the Shoe Fits

Have you ever heard of the phrase "to wear many hats"? It means to play different roles and to assume a new set of rules/functions based on that identity.  The analogy is true for me and shoes (I don't wear hats because my hair is already flat and I don't need any more help in that department, no thank you!)

Lately I've been on a shoe buying binge, and have justified each purchase by telling myself that each has a separate purpose - one is fancy going out, one is summer casual, and another is sporty practical (do you appreciate all my double adjectives? It's like I'm giving them a proper name. That or I'm further convincing myself of all their different utilities, ha!)

First, I recently moved into a new apartment and one of the best features is the top floor gym! Seriously, it has been a year since I've regularly worked out, and even longer when I last bought a new pair of running shoes.  I'm a little embarassed to admit that my current pair are K-Swisses that I got my freshman year of college (um, definitely thinking about deleting this last line), so with all these incentives, I decided it was high time to get a new pair. I knew I either wanted a pair of Nike Shox or Asics; the former because I like the look and cushion from the Shox, and the latter because I've heard great things about the comfort of the Asics running shoe. Well the cuteness of this pair won me over:

Nike Shox Turbo Mesh Si (what a mouthful). The Nike website showcases the shoes better...

Looove the color combo. Ladyfootlocker and all those similar companies were having sales on the exact style I was looking at, buuut they did not have the black/white/pink! Had to get this pair, but the baby blue pair would've been a second choice. There's a guy version of this shoe also, and I'm digging the black/white/yellow.

A note: when I ordered, the sales rep said Nike's tend to run small, so I got my normal size (6.5) + a half size up (7) just to see. After putting on socks and lacing them up, there's a bit of toe room in the 7's.  Not a lot, but I'm thinking that my feet will swell up and won't want to be restricted by a tight toebox when I'm working out. (You can tell I havn't actually worn my shoes yet, just admired its pretty color combo in its box.) I believe the rule of thumb is to order half size or full size up, depending on the company's usual sizing standards, and Nike is one to size down. If you get a pair that's tight, you end up with painful toenails, blisters, and decreased incentive to run. The key is to get a snug pair so that your feet don't move around too much, but not tight that it suffocates them.  The 7's give me about a half inch of room in front, which are good.

The second pair of shoes came after I realized I can't walk around all summer in NYC with just flip flops. I've always thought the gladiator trend was cute, but wanted to find ones that wasn't too out there. These fit the bill:

Seychelles Get Outta Town sandals

I've had a pair of Seychelles before, and the padded soles are the best part, super comfy! I'll be able to walk around all of Union Square, up to Central Park, and down to Midtown with these. I got the dark brown for practical reasons, but I love love the yellow! They're so cheerful and brighten any summer outfit. When I put these on, the side strap make my feet look slightly wide but they are cute nonetheless.

The last pair was purchased on a whimsy, after a random trip to J.Crew's final sale. Additional 20% on top of already lowered prices, making the decision to buy these babies easier. I was doing okay in the fancy heels department, let's face it, they all get dirty and stepped on at clubs anyway, and was only allowing myself to get a black strappy pair. Sadly, these are neither black nor strappy but they are beautiful!

J.Crew Greer pleated sandals in Golden Cypress

The pleats and satin material sold me. I really wanted to get the natural/shell color but satin + light color in a shoe just clashes with my sense of responsibility about shoes. They would be dirty and messed up in no time. This richer color will be great for fall, and the heel height is perfect for more conservative outings, like brunch with parents, or a wedding.