Getting Our Tuck On at Pure Barre

And tuck!…and tuck!…and tuck!

Meet Erika Jewell, GM of Pure Barre, Allen

If you’ve ever been to a class at Pure Barre, you know exactly what “tuck!” means!! And man do you do a lot of it! Chan and I have been attending Pure Barre Allen for the past month, and even with all of the sickness in both of our houses that has made us miss a few classes here and there, we have still seen results which is pretty amazing.

So, let me begin this post by telling you that Chan is the much better worker-outer than I am. I have an aversion to sweating….and organized classes if I’m being completely honest. I started working out with Pure Barre Allen back in January after the first of the year. I purchased a Groupon because….New Year’s Goals….like most everyone in my January classes. I wasn’t sure at first. It seemed difficult, and everyone seemed to know what they were doing. It was pretty intimidating, and then I got sick so I thought, “Well…that is it for me….clearly I am not a Pure Barre gal.” But I still had some of my Groupon month left so I went back for my last few classes, and suddenly had a breakthrough. I noticed some tone in my tummy, and my core felt stronger, and suddenly I had picked up on the moves a lot better. AND……now I’m hooked! I had my youngest over five years ago, and I still have my mummy tummy which is so, so frustrating! My stomach has always been easy to keep toned, and at some point I feel like I gave up and just decided well, I’m a mom and this is how it is meant to be. That is a terrible attitude! So why do so many of us settle into that thinking?!

Katie and Ashley helped us get our tuck on for a Pure Barre Classic class!

So, now that Chan and I are kind of addicted, let me tell you about how wonderful our experience has been! From the very first class you take, the ladies at Pure Barre call you by name….not to embarrass you or single you out in class but to totally encourage you when you nail a move! And they are constantly looking for that window to toss out a compliment! It is such a satisfying feeling. Plus, if you are slightly off, they are quick to make an adjustment on the sly so again…you don’t feel singled out like you can in other workout classes.

What makes the practice different than yoga or pilates or zumba is the little isolated motions. They really target muscles that you probably never knew you had! Like the “tuck”….it is just that…a little pelvic tuck that reminds you to suck your belly button to your back bone which engages your tummy core! Brilliant!! And just when you really start to cave from the burn, they move on to the next move! It is intense but achievable….and constantly encouraging!

We recently interviewed Pure Barre Allen/McKinney owner Amanda Kovach! She shared some great tips and some wonderful inside information behind what keeps her motivated in her own Pure Barre workouts!

You could say, it was love at first “tuck!”

 

How did you find yourself in the pure barre world?

I discovered Pure Barre in 2010 during my senior year of college at Southern Methodist University.  As a former dancer and fitness enthusiast, I was amazed at the physical changes I saw in my body from taking Pure Barre classes in a short amount of time.  You could say, it was love at first “tuck!” In addition to loving the workout itself, I found a community at Pure Barre: a supportive and encouraging community of women who supported each other in reaching their goals.  I began teaching at Pure Barre Dallas in 2011.

What motivated you to open your own studio?

As a Pure Barre teacher, I discovered a passion for teaching and helping others achieve their fitness goals.  After graduating college, I worked for a financial consulting firm while continuing to teach Pure Barre classes.  In 2014, I decided to leave the corporate world and pursue my dream of opening a Pure Barre studio opening my first studio in Allen, Texas in 2014 and my second studio in McKinney, Texas in 2015.  It was the best decision of my life!

What is that one thing that you feel your students give back to you…something that inspires your own journey?

I am so inspired by our clients each and every day.  When a client tells me how Pure Barre has changed their life – how it’s helped them reach their fitness goals, gain confidence or help them through a hard time in their lives – I am inspired.  I love that through Pure Barre, I am able to positively impact others’ lives.  

Do you have a daily mantra that inspires you?

Oh, I have so many!  One quote that I really love is “Exercising is a blessing, not a chore.  I workout because I am grateful that I physically can.”

What changes have you seen in your own body vs other workouts?

In the past, I found myself getting bored and plateauing with other workout techniques.  Enter Pure Barre.  Pure Barre is a completely different way of working out.  It never gets easier and my body never stops changing.  The more you learn the technique, the more effective the workout becomes.  Through the last 9 years of consistently taking Pure Barre classes, I’ve gained incredible flexibility, strength, and muscle definition (without the bulk!).  I’m stronger, leaner, happier and healthier because of Pure Barre. 

How many workouts per week do people need to commit to see those same changes?

I recommend clients attend at least 3-4 classes per week to gain the best results.  You’d be amazed at how much Pure Barre can change your body in literally just 1 month of consistently taking classes!

What can someone expect from their first barre class?

We truly believe anyone is capable of rocking our classes.  No dance experience is required.  As long as you can hold on to the barre, you can do Pure Barre.  That’s not to say that it’s easy!  Your first class will likely be challenging, but we encourage you to stick with it.  We have an amazing teaching staff here at Pure Barre.  Feel free to ask your instructors questions after class if you aren’t clear on any of the moves.  They are here to help you on your fitness journey.  After you’ve taken about 10 classes, you’ll really get the hang of it and start seeing changes in your body.

Do I require any equipment? Gear? What do first timers need to know?

We encourage first-time clients to arrive 15 minutes before class begins to fill out paperwork, get a tour of the studio and meet your teacher who will help you get set up for class.  Wear leggings or capris and a workout tank or tee.  You’ll also want to wear “sticky socks” to prevent your feet from sliding during class (you’ll thank us later!).  Sticky socks are sold in studio, so you can buy a pair before your first class.  We’ll have all the equipment you’ll need at the studio, so just bring a bottle of water and a positive attitude and you’ll be ready to rock your first class!

Okay…i’ve taken my first couple of classes, and I am so sore and feel like everyone else is getting the moves better than I do. How do you inspired barre people to keep coming back and push themselves?

We’ve all been first-timers at Pure Barre at one point.  There is a learning curve with the Pure Barre technique, but our teaching staff is here to help YOU get the most out of your workouts.  Ask your teachers questions before or after class if you are unsure if you are doing moves correctly.  We also offer a class called Pure Foundations that is great for new clients!  This class will introduce you to the basic movements of Pure Barre and help you build confidence as you discover how our technique works and all the benefits it has to offer.

Going to workout classes can be so initimidating. It seems everyone is so young and in perfect shape. Is that what you see in your studio or do you think I will fit in? is it age/body type specific?

This couldn’t be further from the truth!  Our studios have clients of all ages – from 16 to 75.  Beyond that, our studios boast clients of all different fitness levels – from workout newbies to new and expecting moms to avid athletes – you’ll see it all.  We truly believe that Pure Barre is for anyone and everyone.  For a limited time, we’re offering first class free to all new clients at Pure Barre Allen & McKinney.  We encourage you to come join our Pure Barre community!  

Let us know if you want to meet us there! They offer a “bring a friend!” option, and we’d love to have you! 

See ya at the Barre!

 

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2 thoughts on “Getting Our Tuck On at Pure Barre”

  1. Komal Singh says:

    I did a Barre class once and omg, was sore for a couple of days afterwards! I workout 6 times a week so was shocked at how I still felt that some muscles were not getting the workout that they needed. Thanks for a detailed view of Barre, ladies!

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