When Patty and April suggested we use the topic “cross training” for this week’s Tuesdays on the Run, I just laughed. After all, that meant my post was basically going to be:
Cross training: I don’t.
But that didn’t seem like a very good post, so I went out and cross trained. Seriously, the things I do for you people.
With a little nudging from Courtney, yesterday I attended my second Pure Barre class. I’d attended one class before that was offered to MRTT members, but it was in a location too far from my house. I know myself – I can barely make it to the yoga and bike studios that are walkable from my house. It’s totally unlikely I’d *drive* 20 minutes to work out.
Anyways, a new studio has opened and it’s easy to get to and they offer a $15 first class and Courtney made me asked me to join her, so I did it.
And I hated it. You know, in that way you hate it when you foam roll or go to the chiropractor. The “hurt so good” way. The “OMG, you’ve found all of my weaknesses and reminded me of them” way.
Yeah, it was so awful that I immediately signed up for unlimited classes for a month.
I know.
Seriously though, while there were indeed moments where I was cursing the instructor under my breath, I engaged muscles that I have not used in years. (Little know fact: I started running to combat postpartum depression. Before that? I was all about lifting weights. Yeah, I used to be strong). I don’t know if I’ll love it long term as it seems like something your body can adapt to (and honestly, I’m not sure I can afford it after the “introductory rate” period is over), but I really need to start somewhere. And right now? It’s totally kicking my butt.
The class moves quickly and keeps me mentally and physically engaged in a way that yoga does not. And while I love spinning, I need the core and upper body work right now. I’m planning to go at least twice a week (gotta get my money’s worth) and hopefully I’ll see some nice improvements. And maybe by the end of the month, I’ll be able to hold a plank for longer than 20 seconds. Ahem.
Now to convince Courtney that she needs to hold me accountable ’cause we all know I’m a slacker when it comes to cross training.
What do you do besides running? Do you enjoy it or is it just something you make yourself do?
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I am going to my first official Pure Barre class on Wednesday and I cannot wait! Of course it is not close to home and we do not have a studio here but my best friend is an instructor in Atlanta and I can’t wait to take her class! I am jealous that you have a studio close to home! Enjoy it!
I haven’t tried Pure Barre but it sounds like it totally sucks in a good way. This class is offered at my gym but I just haven’t gotten around to taking it. It is on my list of things to do. I am jealous you can walk to a yoga studio it takes me at least 15 minutes to drive to our gym.
That’s funny that you admit you don’t cross train. When I told my sister the topic nd asked her what we should write about she said “on my days off I watch Sex and the city but I don’t think I can write about that…haha”
I play tennis and I enjoy it but I prefer to run.
I just saw a groupon for barre classes and was thinking about trying it out. So far my cross training has been mostly yoga and the elliptical machine.
I just finished up my first month of pure barre–like you, I did the new client first month special. I really enjoyed it, but agree that I don’t know if it’s in my budget to do it all the time! I liked the attitude of the classes and found them to be a good way to start my day.
I laughed out loud while reading this. I have to say that after doing Pure Barre a couple times a week for about four months, I still find it super challenging. The instructors clearly go to these training sessions where they learn more ridiculous ways to make one inch feel like hell. 🙂 I’m totally all about peer pressuring you into going 🙂 Great post!
Barre definitely sounds like I’d hate it, but I’m going to try it ….. l’m sure I need it as badly as you do!
I don’t know if barre is the class for me. I have issues with my feet, and esp my big toe and I’m afraid that some of the poses might aggravate it. But I do love crosstraining, in the form of yoga…crossfit…cycling…
I’ve never been to an actual Barre class but I think I would love it.
I do like cross-training. The past couple of weeks I have been really focused on upping my mileage so I haven’t been doing much cross training and I miss it – just a couple more weeks and I will be back at it!!
I love barre, but you are right it is so darn expensive unless you get a new client special like you did.Guess we just need to bounce around all of the studios getting those deals 🙂
This cracked me up because it reminded me so much of how I felt after my first Pilates Barre class. It kicked my butt in the worse way and I knew I needed to keep doing it. Now I’m hooked. I’m sure Courtney will keep you going 😉
I love this post! I’ve heard such good things about Barre, but I doubt we have classes in our little mid-sized town. Good job making yourself do it!
Pure Barre is probably the most painful thing I’ve ever done in my life. I could barely even breathe deeply the next day because my abs hurt so much! It is super expensive though, which is one of the reasons I don’t do it.
I love crosstraining. I can’t run more than 3 times per week and cross training sculpts and shapes my muscles in a way that running doesn’t. I love biking, boxing and strength training. Wasn’t the biggest Pure barre fan
I only recently started to hear about Pure Barre, and I have heard so many people raving about it. Maybe it’s really something I should look into!
Aside from running I really enjoy hiking and in the winter snowshoeing:) Those are my cross training:)
I didn’t know you had a link up on Tuesday, I am going to add it to my calendar and try to participate in your future link ups:)
I’ve been biking in between my runs. There’s a new yoga studio in town so I’m trying to make it to their classes too. I have yet to wear a racing costume. I think everyone looks so pretty in them, but I’m a little shy about wearing one.
I don’t do a lot more than running. I dabble in some strength work at times – but only to help my running. And I walk the dog. But that’s about it.