Anyhow, I read all day at work, so I don't anticipate adding any more books to my queue in the near future, but the comment about the gym reminded me that I have not taken part in my workout blog in quite a few weeks. Today, I did Flybarre, so I thought I would take a few minutes to discuss the class.
I've now gone to Flybarre a few times, and naturally, I have some feelings.
The first time I took Flybarre, the instructor (knowing that I was new) told me that Flybarre was like Texas. Everything's just a little bigger in Flybarre. Though an adorable catch phrase, I didn't understand it at all...until the class started. Though Flybarre is a traditional barre class in a number of ways, the moves are generally a little bigger and faster than other barre classes. Not your typical one-inch or half-inch pulses.
There are a few additional unique things about Flybarre. First, you're assigned a barre mat. You have a specific station on the wall, just like you get assigned a bike in cycle classes. I have mixed feelings about the mat assignment. I like the freedom to pick my spot in any workout class. It took me a long time to adjust to having no choice in cycling classes. Second, the mats are lined up across from each other in a long rectangle, and the room is surrounded by mirrors (All. Four. Sides.). Con - you feel very exposed (at least I do because I'm mediocre at barre, at best). Pro - you can see everyone's' manicures and pedicures from all different angles. I'm willing to place money on a bet that regular Flybarre participants are the best manicured individuals in the District of Columbia. Third, you don't have to wear barre socks, which I think is nice. Some people prefer socks, which I understand, but I perpetually forget to pack them in my bag. So I now own more barre socks than I ever wanted from studios that required socks to workout. And those stupid grippy socks are usually as expensive as the class. Stupid supply and demand.
Finally, the ball is also bigger. Or as one instructor bluntly put it, the ball is "massive." Massive. A very aggressive description before asking you to squeeze it between your legs.
Flybarre is one of the harder barre classes I've taken, and I think I've taken just about all of them in the DC area. The ab work is especially challenging. For example, today, we sat on the mat with our feet in the air behind the bar. We grabbed a band that was wrapped around the barre and did pulsing crunches. See the nice picture I found on Google images to the right. I am sure I looked exactly like those women and didn't repeatedly collapse from weakness at all. I like the class because I feel like we do a variety of exercises every class, which you don't get at some other barre classes. Some barre classes have more of a script, and you may even repeat the same song on each side. Not that there is anything wrong with that. It is just whatever floats your boat. All of that rambling about variety aside, I haven't had a class yet that has skipped the torturous toes under barre, band crunches.
Perhaps it is a signature move. It is definitely a tough one.
The arms are also killer. They offer some higher weight options; and again, the moves are just a little bit bigger than other barre classes.
I highly recommend Flybarre. I've only been to the location in City Center, but I'm sure DuPont is also great. There was a woman in my class tonight who was on work travel from Philadelphia. She said she loves Flywheel up there, but they don't have Flybarre yet. Catch up, Philly!
