Meet Me at the Barre

The other weekend, The Alberta Blog Squad was invited to have a private class at Barre Body Studio at their Ramsey location here in Calgary. I'm no stranger to barre, I've even done Mommy & Baby classes at one of their Edmonton locations, but it's not an activity that I get to go to very often. Plus, a private class with my girlfriends is always a good time. And the youngest honorary member of the Blog Squad, Emmy, even got to tag along! I had planned to wear her, but the little slacker slept through the whole thing in her carseat.

Anyway. Barre class. It's not a new fitness trend and I'm pretty confident it's not going anywhere anytime soon! I'm also pretty sure that if you haven't yet tried a class, you have at least heard all about it. And if you haven't tried a class yet, you should really get on that! (Psst - there's a discount code for you at the bottom of this post!)

Barre Body is a low-impact workout, consisting of a million repetitions (not even joking!) in order to build lean muscles, tighter behinds and stronger cores. The phrase "up an inch/down an inch" will haunt you in your dreams! Little pulses are no laughing matter. Classes often utilize equipment such as light weights (1, 2, 3 or 5 pound weights - I stuck to 2 pound weights and was sore the next day!), resistance bands, a ball, and a balance disk, but a lot of the class focuses on using just body weight as well.

In your one hour class, you are put through a warm-up, strength exercises for your arms, leg exercises which can consist of movements both on and away from the barre, cardio sprints and a core workout, ending with a cool down. If you think you aren't going to sweat just because this class is low-impact, you would be wrong! Our instructor Lanette, put us through a gruelling workout that had us all sweating by the end.

Barre is one of those classes that you go into thinking "this is no big deal, how hard can this actually be!?", only to find yourself swearing under your breath at the burning sensation in your gluten and thighs! This class works muscles you didn't even know existed! Which is why I love it. Plus, the inner ballerina in me loves me some barre work. Plié, first position, second position, etc...it all takes me back to my days of dancing. 

Anyway, the class is tough, but the beautiful exposed brick walls and pretty lighting in the studios at the Ramsey location distract you from the pain a bit. The locker rooms are equally as stunning, and offer guests complimentary hair dryers, deodorant, hand cream, hair elastics, as well as free lockers. There's even a private shower should you wish to use it. The entire ambiance of Barre Body is on point! 

What you should know before taking your first class at Barre Body:

• you must wear grip socks (bring your own, purchase a pair for sale at the studio, or rent a pair for $1 - proceeds go to charity)
• wear comfortable athletic clothing (think yoga/dance wear)
• bring a water bottle, you will need it!
• most importantly, don't be afraid! Even if you don't have a dance background, the moves will be explained and nothing is overly complicated (meaning you will pick it up quickly!)

Prices:

• 1-Month New Client Intro pass: $65
• Drop-in: $25
• 5-Card Class Pass: $112
• 10-Card Class Pass: $195
• 20-Card Class Pass: $390
• Mommy &b Me Class: $225 (I did this in Edmonton with Sully when he was 7 months old and highly recommend it!)

Locations:

• Ramsey: 1202 20 Ave SW, Calgary, AB
• Bow Trail: 4251 Bow Trail SW, Calgary, AB
• Whitemud Crossing: #184, 4211 - 106 Street, Edmonton, AB
• Holland Plaza: 11996 - 109A Avenue, Edmonton, AB

{Ange//Leigh//Jen//Kaella//Me//Alison//Becky//Laura}

And good news for you! Use code BRIE10 to receive $10 off either a 10-Card Class Pass, 

or a 1-Month New Client Intro!

Thanks again to BBS for hosting the Blog Squad, and to Ange for organizing it! 

Have you tried Barre before? Thoughts? Let me know in the comments!

Get Ready to Rumble!

The other weekend, The Alberta Blog Squad had the opportunity to try out another boxing studio. Having just taken my first boxing class shortly before this, I was super excited to have another go at throwing punches and unleashing my inner bad-ass. There is something so cathartic about wrapping your hands, donning boxing gloves and letting loose in a dark, loud boxing studio.

Rumble Boxing Studio invited The Blog Squad to have a private class and I have to say, I was much less intimidated this time around. Both because I sort of knew what to expect, and also because I was surrounded by my girlfriends and I'm not nearly as worried about making a fool of myself in front of them!

Rumble is located in the heart of 17th Ave in Calgary. When we arrived, we checked in at the front desk which also doubles as an acai/juice bar (perfect for refuelling after class!), were given boxing gloves (which are always complimentary), and got to work wrapping our hands (you must purchase wraps if you don't already own them). There's also free lockers to stash your stuff in, full change rooms complete with showers, a water fountain and complimentary towels. Make sure you take a towel into class with you - you will need it!

The studio is set up in such a way that the instructor is smack dab in the centre of the room, with the participants boxing bags surrounding them. This allowed all of us to grab a bag facing the instructor. Because of this, I found this class much easier to follow along with and it also made it easier for our awesome instructor, Kealen, to come around to each of us to check our form or encourage us to punch harder. Just like last time, each punch is given a number (1=jab; 2=cross; etc), and I felt much more in control with my punches this time. I found if I over thought the combinations, I got flustered and lost track of which punches to throw, but if you can learn to let your mind relax and zone out, it just flows. Boxing is a really cool sport that way! You get to punch sh*t and meditate, haha!

Kealen led us through a tough and sweaty workout for an hour, that combined punches and squats. We were spared an ab workout at the end which I appreciated. I feel like boxing is already an ab workout as you need to engage your core the whole time. I'd rather box for an extra ten minutes than get down on the floor and do crunches!

After class, we were treated to the best part: Ewan MacGregor! He was in the studio boxing it out in the boxing ring that's in the foyer of Rumble when you first walk in!

Anyway, here's what you need to know before taking a class at Rumble:

-You have to purchase your own wraps ($15) or bring your own
-Boxing gloves are complimentary
-Prior boxing experience is not necessary
-Arrive early to fill out your waiver and wrap your hands
-Wear running shoes and bring a water bottle
-Most importantly: don't be afraid! The staff at Rumble are so friendly and welcoming!
-Parking tips HERE

Prices:

• Drop-in: $20
• 10-Class Pass: $180
• 20-Class Pass: $320
• 1, 3, 6 & 12 Month Passes also available 

If you can't tell yet, I have a newfound love for boxing! I tried really hard (both during this class and while writing this post), not to compare the two studios I've been to. Based on my experiences, I liked the style of the class at Rumble more, but that could be because I wasn't as intimated this time and had a better idea of what I was doing. Of course, I need to go take more classes to really pick a favourite though!

Have I encouraged you to take a boxing class yet?! 

Have you ever had a random celebrity encounter? I want to hear about it!

Box it Out at UNDRCARD

Last week, I made my official return to the world of fitness since having a baby, by hitting up a boxing class with the Blog Squad. Go hard or stay home, right? Last Thursday night, we found ourselves at the coolest studio I've ever been to, wrapping our hands in anticipation for what promises to be a kick-ass workout, in a "fight club meets night club" atmosphere.

UNDRCARD Boxing Studio is Calgary's premier boxing studio which combines actual boxing technique with a night club atmosphere. From the moment you step inside their doors, you feel pretty bad-ass. The check-in counter is bright and boasts a monochrome wall of boxing gloves. Head in and around the corner is a full-fledged boxing ring. Further on down, there are complimentary lockers and fully stocked change rooms. There's also a coffee, juice and food bar, plus a little corner store where you can purchase all the latest boxing culture gear.

I honestly wasn't sure what to expect and to say I was intimated beforehand is an understatement. Thankfully, the boxing class truly is like a nightclub: lights are kept low and the music is pumping and LOUD. I mean, I haven't been to a nightclub in ages, but I'm pretty sure this is still what they're like, right?

Our instructor was awesome, more than welcoming and never made us feel out of place. While I found it difficult at times to see her from where I was standing, she did move around to show us the combos and made the rounds to help us out a bit. I've taken my share of aerobic style kick-boxing classes, but I've never truly "boxed".

We started the class with just our hand wraps on, moving through a warm-up and practicing our jabs and undercuts. Then the gloves go on and you get to work on your bag. Each punch is given a number so that as the class progresses, the instructor calls out numerical combos. This was tough and takes some brain power. All that memorization from dance classes from my youth definitely helped, but I still got lost a few times. The first class of anything new is always the hardest though! I can only imagine that after another class or two, the moves and combos would come to you much more quickly. UNDRCARD also offers a 30 minute Boxing 101 class for anyone new to boxing or wanting to focus on the basics.

But hitting and punching your bag? Even if you make up your own combo routine? What a release. There's no denying that exercise makes you feel better, but there's something to be said for letting it all out on your punching bag. And boxing is one of those sports where you get out of it what you put into it. The harder you throw those punches, the more you are going to feel it. And let me tell you, punching that bag and pretending you know what you're doing, that feels pretty darn bad-ass. 

For the most part, I gave it my all in that class. It feels good to hit things! Since I'm 8 weeks postpartum and had a c-section, I did sit the ab portion out, except for the planks and v-sits. I was so sure I was going to wake up the next day incredibly sore and unable to move my arms, but surprisingly, I felt really good! I was comfortably sore, but not in any pain.

Here's some things you should know before you go to a class at UNDRCARD: You have to buy your own wraps ($8) for sanitary reasons, but you can reuse them over and over. Boxing gloves are provided though. You can leave your wedding rings on because there's enough space between your knuckles and the gloves to protect them. Bring a water bottle and wear running shoes (although you can go barefoot, but I wouldn't recommend it). Arrive 30 minutes early. This gives you time to lock up your stuff, fill out your waiver and wrap your hands. Don't be scared! I know I was, but honestly, everyone was super friendly and inviting. When you're signing in, pick a bag (they're all numbered) closer to the middle of the room, right in front of the instructor. Here's some more tips to ease your mind.

Prices:

Drop-in: $24

10-Class Pass: $199

20-Class Pass: $379

Monthly Membership: $209

{Blog Squad: Jen//Me//Ange//Laura//Jen}

If you've never taken a boxing class before, I cannot recommend it enough. You owe it to yourself to go beat up on a punching bag at least once. Your body and mind will thank you for it. I promise, it's the most bad-ass you will feel in a long time!

*Photos c/o Ange & Laura

A big thank you to UNDRCARD for inviting the Blog Squad to try out a class in exchange for an honest review.

Have you ever boxed? Would you?

What's the most intimidating fitness class you've ever taken?