BAR METHOD BOULDER

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Inspiring Clients — Impressive Results!

It’s springtime in the Rockies, the flowers are beginning to poke their heads up through the snow and our thoughts turn to warmer weather, puppies…and brides!  Yes, brides! Proposals are bountiful in the holiday season and the Spring finds itself with a new slew of brides preparing for their summer/fall weddings!

The Bar Method Boulder is fortunate to be given the opportunity to share the journey as one of our clients prepares for her big walk down the aisle this September. 

Like many of our clients, our bride–to-be, Lisa 27, engaged this past fall, is already fit and healthy.  But as she mentions below, she’d like to be in great shape for her wedding day. Starting today, we’ll follow Lisa’s progress bi-weekly as she takes Bar Method classes three times per week, challenging her body, mind and spirit. 

As with all of our clients, we’ll be providing Lisa with effective coaching during class to help her optimize her workouts as well as providing tips from our community on healthful eating, nutrition and wellness to support her during her journey. - The Bar Method Boulder

The Bar Method – Bride Challenge

Lisa, 27, 5’3

Starting Date: April 2, 2011
Starting Weight: 131.5 lbs.
Target Wedding Weight: 121 lbs

The Bar Method – Bride Challenge

12 Weeks! - June 30

The Bar Method – Bridal Challenge

My dress came in and it fits!! I know, I know… it’s not a huge shock
that it fit but there’s always that slight fear in the back of your
mind! The great news is that it does fit and it looks great. My first
actually fitting, the one that counts, will be in four weeks. I’m
really hoping to shed a few more pounds before then as we’re closing
in on the last few months and I’m not quite where I want to be yet.

While I definitely feel stronger both in Bar Method classes and in my
running (the half marathon went great, by the way), I’ve definitely
hit a plateau. I’m really thankful that we’ve been taking measurements
this whole time as the changes I’ve seen in those numbers are really
encouraging even when the scale isn’t. Now that the race is over I
will be adding in another day of Bar Method class each week. I also
realize that nutrition is the key at this point, so I need to keep my
“eye on the prize” and make healthy eating choices.

p.s. – Had a killer class this morning, all new thigh sets that I’d
never tried before. Love how they change it up!

Game plan for the next two weeks:

Mon/Tue/Wed/Fri: Bar Method Class 7am

Tue/Thu: Run

Sat/Sun: Long run/Hike/Bike

8 Weeks! - May 31

Today marked the end of my 8th week of Bar Method classes! I’m feeling great, especially now that more of the wedding planning is checked off my list and the bridal shower weekend has passed. Next up, wedding dress gets in soon, just over a month left before the first fitting!

Big Wins

I’m still finding every single Bar Method class to be challenging, I’m sweating and my muscles are burning and shaking like crazy, which I love. I have definitely noticed my form and posture improving and increased strength in my arms. However, the big win for me… I’m FINALLY able to get my feet off the ground and float during Flat-Back! Woot! This is a sure sign that my deep abdominals are getting stronger which is really important to me both in keeping a tight tummy but also for hip support for my upcoming half-marathon.

We’ve continued to track my weight and take measurements every other week and I’m happy to report some positive changes!!

In the 8 weeks since I started, I’ve lost…

3.5 lbs

½” from my bust

1” from my waist

½” from my right thigh (which was measuring larger than the left)

¼” from my calves

¼” from my arms

All I can say to that is woohoo! I’m really enjoying the Bar Method workouts and am looking forward to the next few months. Also, my half-marathon is coming up next weekend – wish me luck!

Game plan for the next two weeks:

Mon/Wed/Fri: Bar Method Class 7am

Tue/Thu: Easy run

Sun: Half Marathon!

Month One check-in: 5/2/11

The past week was rough. I have been feeling really tired and my runs haven’t been going well at all, it’s just one of those weeks. I was able to stick with my goal and still made it to The Bar Method morning class a total of  13 times this month1 I have a lot going on over the next month in preparation for the wedding and also a trip to NYC next week for work and I really need my energy back! I talked with the teacher at The Bar Method on Monday about my lack of energy and she was really helpful. She recommended increasing my water intake, trying for 64 ounces a day, and also trying to get more protein into my diet. She reminded me that it’s ok to take a day off and that missing a run or having a bad week isn’t the end of the world, sometimes your body just needs a break. 

Mental Strength

Like I said, I have a lot going on in the month ahead. Between two bridal showers, finalizing the wedding invitations,  finding shoes to go with the dress so the tailor doesn’t kill me, and handful of other details I definitely have my work cut out for me. When life gets busy it becomes difficult to find time for yourself, to focus on eating healthfully and getting workouts in. Everyday you have to make a commitment to yourself. For me, getting out of bed bright and early and stumbling out the door to The Bar Method is the first step of that commitment. The next is about strength, not big muscles and heavy weights but mental strength and toughness. I really try to go into each class by telling myself that I’m going to make the most of that one-hour. I commit to making it through the shaking and the burning, getting my back flatter, my arm higher and finally getting my feet off the ground during Flat Back.

So, despite a rather rough week, I am strong and I worked hard this month and I’m getting closer to where I want to be when the wedding comes along.

Week 2

Weight lost to date: 3 lbs

I made it! Yep, I survived my first two weeks of Bar Method! I just walked up the stairs to my office and MAN my legs are tired!! I’m enjoying getting into the groove of the Monday, Wednesday and Friday a.m. classes. It is proving to be a really good way to kick off the day and has become a solid routine.

People keep asking me how it’s going and if it’s getting easier. All I can say is, NO, it’s not getting easier! Every single class is incredibly challenging and I see no sign of that changing! I’m looking forward to seeing my progression over the next two weeks, I really want to be able to lift my legs off the ground during “Flat Back” and be able to get lower during thigh work.

Running of the Bride

Initially I was worried about balancing running with Bar Method classes as I’ve found in the past after weight training I’m so sore that I can’t run for two days, and what good does that do? Trust me, I’m still sore the day after Bar Method classes but I’ve found that doing some light cardio and stretching in the afternoon on the days I take class really helps to loosen up my legs for the next day’s run. If anything increased flexibility in my hips and glutes from stretching in class seems to be helping my running.

I was really pleased to see the numbers on the scale move down a bit after two weeks, no doubt thanks to Bar Method class three days a week and keeping up with running.

Here’s the game plan for the next two weeks:

M, W, and F: Bar Method Class 7 am

T, R, and S: Run 4 – 6 mi/day

I’ll be posting measurement results and another update at the end of my first month. Check back in two weeks to see my progress!

Week 1

Here I am, week one of my Bar Method Challenge, and 165 days until the wedding! My Fiancé and I met nearly four years ago here in Boulder and he proposed last October. I feel so lucky to have found such an amazing person to share my life with. Now, the challenge is to get in the best shape possible by our wedding in September.

The first weigh in, measurements and photographs made me a bit anxious, to be honest. This past winter, (who am I kidding? this past year) the dreaded “squish” had settled in and is having a hard time leaving! I’m definitely not feeling photo-worthy at this point. I know it’ll be nice to have a starting point to look back on after all this to show that hard work pays off.

Fear of the White Dress

I think this ‘Fear of the White Dress’, as I like to call it, is something that a lot of brides experience. It’s the terror of that last fitting, of “jiggly” arms and an overstuffed corset. It’s this fear that leads to crazy diets, stress, and anxiety. Eventually, you wind up a full-blown calorie - starved “bridezilla”. Ok, so I’m trying to avoid all of that! Don’t get me wrong; I’m definitely wondering why I went with the sheath instead of the strapless corset dress!

My goal here is to slim down and tone up. Yes, eating healthy is definitely a requirement but I am also dedicating myself to 3+ days a week of The Bar Method along with 10 – 15 miles a week of running.

Here we go!

Class #1 – Oh man am I’m shaking!! All the hiking, biking and running in Boulder is no match for this workout! I was thankful for the quick pace of the class, good music and motivation from the teacher (Leslie). At this point, I’m really wondering how I’m going to survive this class three days a week. Of course, its my first day back to class in a while and we do pretzel - I was so sore on Sunday I could barely walk!

So, here’s the game plan for the next two weeks:

M, W, and F: Bar Method Class 7:00 am
T, R, and S: Run 3 – 6 miles/day

Wish me luck! Stay tuned!

~ Lisa

****

NAME : 

Teri

BAR METHOD STUDENT SINCE: 

April, 2010

HOW OFTEN DO YOU ATTEND CLASS: 

3-4 times per week

FAVORITE CLASS:

All of them!  (Although, it’s doubtful you’ll see me on the weekend)  I have never been disappointed with a class.

FAVORITE BAR METHOD EXERCISE:  

I can’t believe I’m writing this! Reverse Push-ups -- probably because I struggled with these the most.  After months of doing them I can most often get through the set without having to stop.  It feels like an accomplishment!  Actually all of the arm exercises are pretty amazing.  I have never been able to do any quantity of push-ups, and now I brag (and have been know to get on the floor and demonstrate) that I can do over 10 push-ups in a row!

SUCCESS STORY:  

The most visible success is the strength and shape of my upper arms.  Just before I started taking classes, I was clothes shopping with a friend that kept suggesting sleeveless tops that I should try on.  I told her that I finally hit the age where I’d given up on wearing them because I was self-conscious of the jiggle! Well, three months of Bar Method later, I was not only wearing sleeveless tops, but also getting comments about my “new” arms!   All of my previous exercise focused on lower body strength and agility (biking, hiking, cross country skiing).  I’ve never had upper body strength, so this is very new for me.

Also, since joining in April, I’ve lost ten pounds!  In my adult life I’ve never lost weight, only gained. I’ve been on a traditional trajectory of gaining one pound per year since high school.  Well high school was 30 years ago, so you know what that means!  I visited the doctor last year and mentioned to him that I had noticed for my height and weight that I was in the “over weight” column on the BMI chart. I was expecting the doctor to instruct me to disregard the chart, however, she just looked at me, smiled and said, “I know!”  This spurred me into action.  Since coming to Bar Method I’ve not only lost weight, but have more energy and am gaining tone and definition. 

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR FELLOW STUDENTS:

I will be turning 50 this year and I intend to ring in this momentous event in the best shape since my 20’s!  I am well on my way to this being true with the help of my classes at Bar Method Boulder.  I’ve never experienced a work out this intense with results I can measure so quickly.  I appreciate the enthusiasm and personal attention of the teachers and, also, how hard the other students work.  Both push me to do more than I ever thought I could!

****

NAME:

Julie

BAR METHOD STUDENT SINCE:

October 2010

HOW OFTEN DO YOU ATTEND CLASS:

3 times per week

FAVORITE CLASS:

Monday or Wednesday, 4:30 p.m.

FAVORITE BAR METHOD EXERCISE:

Probably, Round-Back, because it was completely impossible at first and now I can do it! Not only that, but I found new muscles in my upper thighs I didn’t know I had. Now they are hard and I love that my thighs are smooth and firm.

SUCCESS STORY:

When I came to The Bar Method I was more than 10 pounds overweight. I felt bulky, inflexible, unattractive, and old at 51. I had been in the same cardio and weight-lifting regimen for years, and 35 years of running had been hard on the joints. I needed a kinder, low-impact form of serious exercise. I was looking for a change, and a neighbor told me she’d heard The Bar Method sculpted every muscle. As an ex-oarswoman and weightlifter, I wasn’t sure it would be enough of a workout (I know, what a laugh!), but decided to try it.

The first class blew me away. It bent my body in ways I hadn’t bent in decades; used muscles I definitely didn’t have. I couldn’t do any part of the class properly! And I thought I was a fairly strong athlete. It was an eye-opener and a challenge. I knew I needed what The Bar Method had, and decided to work for it.

In about three months, The Bar Method has transformed my life by changing the way I feel about my body. I’m 8 pounds lighter, and sculpted! I had the tremendous joy last week of needing to buy new size small workout pants. My daughters gave me a bright red, beautiful (size small) yoga top for Christmas to go with my new body. I have all kinds of muscles, visible and invisible. I feel pretty, slim and toned; my thighs and bum are smooth and tight in my jeans, even without any clothes on at all! I have MUCH better posture, and feel young and lithe. I’m flirty with my husband; he thinks I’m beautiful and sexy. He keeps saying he can’t believe how good I feel, and I keep asking when we’re going to take a beach vacation so I can wear a bikini. A bikini, at 51, with two grown children!

If you’d asked me if this was possible three months ago, I would have shaken my head wistfully. Or cried. I have much more confidence, at a time of life when it can ebb. Even my work has benefited from increased confidence and a feeling of strength, youth and well-being.

One of the most amazing things about this Bar Method turnaround is that I hadn’t realized how badly I needed to be rescued. I hadn’t been aware what poor posture I had. Old age was sneaking up on me and I hadn’t even noticed. Every time a Bar Method instructor calls out, “Julie, lift your chest! Lift your gaze!” it nearly makes me cry because it means so much; it’s a metaphor for having self-respect. I had grown accustomed to looking down and allowing my body to sag in a defeated sort of way. With my new Bar Method body I have renewed self-respect, and new muscles that enable good posture. I can feel how hard my body is all over, and how much stronger my back and abs are.

I don’t know which The Bar Method has helped more, my body, my mind, or my relationships. It has been transforming.

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR FELLOW STUDENTS:

The Bar Method is hard work, but if you stick with it for 3 months it can change your life. It can give you youth, vitality, confidence, self-respect, and an awesome tight body!

****

NAME: Liz

BAR METHOD STUDENT SINCE:

August 2009

HOW OFTEN DO YOU ATTEND CLASS?:

I try for 3 times a week… someday I will work up to 5!

FAVORITE CLASS:

Hard to say, although this is the first time I have ever really been consistent with exercise; so I guess the answer is ALL classes and times! 

FAVORITE BAR METHOD EXERCISE:

Tricep one-arm lifts! I have new arms.  I am convinced this is why.

SUCCESS STORY:

I have lost a total of 3 ½ inches from my upper arms,  (which have never seemed to change no matter what I used to do, woo!)  waist and upper thighs.  Also, I’m overall way more comfortable in my skin… which is why I work out to begin with!  I wore short shorts for the first time in years the other day!!

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR FELLOW STUDENTS:

Short shorts… need I say more?

****

NAME: Amy

BAR METHOD STUDENT SINCE:

July 2009

HOW OFTEN DO YOU ATTEND CLASS:

I started with 2-3 times per week, and have gradually increased to 5 times per week!

FAVORITE CLASS:

9am (Usually). It’s mostly the same group and we have a lot of fun.

FAVORITE BAR METHOD EXERCISE & WHY:

It’s hard to choose a favorite since my entire body has transformed! But…I’ll say thigh work. When I started The Bar Method, I was barely strong enough to be there; my quad was pretty much an amoeba. I had 2+ years of knee problems resulting from an injury. I had 6 months of rehab after the most recent surgery (TTO), where my knee was cut apart, realigned and screwed back together. My entire body was pretty neglected and my right leg was downright puny and pathetic. Leslie and Becky were awesome and supportive, and taught me how to modify exercises to accommodate my “issue.”

After 6 months of The Bar Method, no one would ever guess I’ve had such problems. I have two strong, toned legs, and I’m convinced (as is my doc!) that my “rehab” would be months behind without The Bar Method.

SUCCESS STORY:

Aside from having +80 % function in my “bad” leg (and still improving), I think my biggest success is the tone in my arms/upper body. I’m buff, without being big. It’s amazing to get such dramatic results with such small movements and only 3 lb. weights (and no gym, no weight lifting).

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR FELLOW STUDENTS:

The Bar Method is the most efficient and effective one hour total body workout I’ve ever done. My body is tighter and more flexible than perhaps ever before and I’ve never felt stronger in mind and body. We’re kicking things up a notch and I can’t wait to see everyone’s improvement in the upcoming months!

****

NAME:

Melissa

BAR METHOD STUDENT SINCE:

April of 2009, but this was in the days of the basement classes

and I was only attending class once a week.  I started attending

3 classes per week in late May/early June 2009.

HOW OFTEN DO YOU ATTEND CLASS:

I attend classes four times a week and have been trying to keep this schedule since the studio opened in early July (a little over four months).

FAVORITE CLASS:

6:00 a.m. baby!  It is 6:00 a.m. or not at all for me.

FAVORITE BAR METHOD EXERCISE: 

I am not going to lie, I like the back dancing because that signifies that I have successfully made it through another class!  I also like the push-ups because they make me feel strong.  There are many other exercises that I love for the results I am seeing and for the challenges they provide – the triceps work, the thigh work, flat back, etc.

SUCCESS STORY: 

Before starting the Bar Method, I ran, I swam and I did Pilates on a very regular basis.  In fact, prior to the Bar Method, I attended Pilates classes 2 to 3 times a week for about 4 years.  And while there are certainly benefits, I have to say the four years that I devoted to Pilates now almost seem like a waste of time after seeing the results I have achieved with the Bar Method after only six months! 

First things first, the numbers – since beginning the Bar Method, I have lost 16 pounds and have gone down about 1 ½ pant sizes.  In addition, I now have muscle tone where none previously existed.  My arms are more taught and toned then they have ever been and my thighs!  I have always been a runner (albeit a very slow one) but I have never seen the muscle tone in my legs like I do now.  When I lift my leg in the shower to shave I can see this nice little definition that I have never seen before! 

And, in addition to just the visible results, I feel leaner and stronger and this has carried over into some of the other activities I enjoy. I am seeing such great results from the Bar Method, I am more motivated in my other activities and less inclined to hit the snooze button when my alarm goes off at 5:30. 

This workout has really changed my body and, along with it, my confidence level.  Never before would I have even contemplated going out in public in a tight little pair of yoga pants.  And, the support and enthusiasm from Leslie and Becky is great!  They are my cheerleaders and help me to stay motivated and to point out my achievements. 

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR FELLOW STUDENTS:

Stick with it!  After years of being a Pilates devotee, I never would have guessed a year ago that I would throw my Pilates to the wayside so quickly.  However, for me, the results were so rapid that it was an easy decision.  The workout really is designed for dramatic results and I am not one to spout off about such things if I don’t really believe them myself.  But it is true what the tag line says – “carve muscle and burn fat.”  The carving muscle phrase provides such a vivid visual and I am here to tell you, it is true!

****

NAME:

Joni

BAR METHOD STUDENT SINCE:

July ‘09

HOW OFTEN DO YOU ATTEND CLASS:

For the first 2 months it was 5-6x’s a week. Now it’s 2-3x’s a week (and I bought the videos so when I travel I can keep up with it!!)

FAVORITE CLASS:

I look forward to ANY class ANY time of the day!! However, if you are a morning person then the 6am M/W/F is a great way to kick off your day.

FAVORITE BAR METHOD EXERCISE

I love it all, but I do love a Pretzel day, or any day the Zinger gets thrown at us when we don’t see it coming

SUCCESS STORY

Flexibility – being a runner by nature, I have the chronic tight hamstrings. After about 2 ½ months of classes, one day all of a sudden it was there, my leg was straight and I was touching my nose to my knee. It was almost as if the stretching was disguised even though you are clearly doing it every class.

Weight Loss – I am somewhat small framed and have always been in fairly good shape from marathons and triathlons. Then Winter of ‘08/’09 came into my life and I was assigned on a job that required long days sitting in my car. Over the period of 3 months I put on roughly 13lbs (little more than 10% of my body weight). I tried to shed the weight over the first 6 months of ’09 but it just wouldn’t budge. Then enters Bar Method to my life! I became a faithful follower and committed myself to being patient (something you hear often in class). Then roughly 3 months in, I clearly noticed my pants tighter in the butt and tighter around the thighs and thought, well good at least I am toned up, but what about the weight? And again, Leslie & Becky told me to hang in and it would all even out… It was almost as if my body was listening to them, because over the last 4 weeks, I have shed 10lbs. This is joined with efforts to eat healthy, and my cardio, but I was doing those things before and hadn’t lost the weight, so I’m 100% confident that the loss factor is related to my hard work with The Bar Method. I have always had “runner legs” but they have reached a whole new level of tone now. It’s really exciting!!

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR FELLOW STUDENTS:

Physically – There is such a confidence that comes from the physical transformations! It is fun to be in class with familiar faces, and also see them transform. As a triathlete, I am excited to see it benefiting my training.

Mentally – I think this is the big one for me, and I am pretty sure that others who have stayed true to attending classes regularly will quickly agree with me. I look forward to class each time I go. I get excited to see the instructors and have met some wonderful new friends in class. I love the constant encouragement and the awareness that even the beautiful flexible dancers are working as hard as those of us who may not get our foot on the bar. You walk away from class each time feeling accomplished and no part of your body feels left-out.

I think to sum it up, Bar Method has transformed me, mentally and physically, in ways I never knew possible. I have taken a lot of classes since the Bar Method Boulder opened in July, and can easily say that it still challenges me everyday!

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