On Thursday, 7/24 I finally joined the 100 club!
I remember the first time I heard about it. My studio opened in December ’13, and during the holidays it got busy from people traveling to visit home. I noticed a girl wore a white tank that said 100 club and red socks that also said 100 club- which at that time there was only the black plain socks, not even the color ones I’ve been buying. I was baffle- where did she get this stuff? Where did it come from? I’ve never seen them for sale in the retail area.
After class I googled it and right away I made up my mind I was going to join it too. I should of known I was a crazy goal orientated person then- since I was just starting to work out, I pushed myself one week to see if I can go to classes 5 days in a row since I knew I wouldn’t be in town for the weekend due to an engagement party. It was right after that I was nominated for Thursday Thigh Warrior!
I needed a way to count and see the classes I was going to. I’m a google calendar freak, so I made a calendar just for fitness related things- like half marathon training. I decided to put pure barre classes I was going to, and I would also include the class number it was so I could keep track.
It’s been quite a journey and I still surprise myself that wasn’t too long ago- just 7 months ago! A year ago, I’ve never heard of pure barre! And if my life didn’t get so hectic I would of been able to join the 100 club even sooner! I was in quite the lead for awhile before I disappeared thanks to nursing school, a second and new job, and half marathon training.
Although there are many reasons why I love Pure Barre and I want to spread the love and get others in the 100 club, I figured I would list 10 tips instead of 100 or else this would be a really long post 🙂
1) Create smaller milestone goals.
On my journey to the 100 club, I would have a mini celebration every time I hit a quarter of the way- so at 25, 50, 75, and 100! I would treat myself to some new socks and that was how I got all of the colored socks.
I think I will use this method again towards the 250 club. I have been eyeing these new water tumblers they have, and Pure Barre location tees!
2) Keep track of your classes yourselves.
Once I learned about the 100 club, and before I had the google calendar idea, I was always at the front desk asking about my class count. I didn’t like that, so one day, I went into my Pure Barre app and made a fitness calendar in my google calendar and not only put the classes I was going to, but the number and that’s how I tracked it!
Of course, every once in awhile, I would ask the front desk to make sure I was counting correctly and that we were on the same page 🙂
3) Allow yourself to have rest days.
This is something I still need to work on since I had such a huge goal to finish this before my next race, but rest days are just as important as going to class days.
4) Listen to your body.
There are going to be classes where you don’t feel like you did your best. The instructor came and corrected you way too many times than you would like. Or when you know you need to do a modified version of something. Just do it. No one else in class is looking!
5) Go to a Breaking Down the Barre class.
I went to one even though I have been going constantly for over a month. You just learn way more about the technique and other ways to adjust and modify the moves to make them better. I’m planning on attending another one soon, since the classes are changing again, I need to learn more tricks and could always use some more tips! And you know what- bring a friend! This class is always free and is a great introduction for someone to go and learn more about Pure Barre 🙂
6) It’s all about little movements.
I remember my first few days when they would tell us- “Cut that movement in half” I thought it was impossible. But now I always make an effort to make my movements as small as possible
7) Embrace the shake.
I know the first time my legs started shaking I got scared- this isn’t normal. This isn’t what health magazines tell us to try to get to this level. This isn’t sweat. What is happening to me?! But it’s your body changing! So I always make an effort to get to the shaking point.
8) Close your eyes.
Sometimes your worst enemy is the person staring right back you in the mirror- you. And so much of exercise is mental, so just close you eyes, you can do it and before you know it you will hear them say “Final ten!”
9) Fuel your body- before and after.
I’m not a person that likes a huge meal before class, so I often try to have a granola bar/cliff bar/luna bar. And thank goodness water is complimentary so even if I forgot my water bottle I have cold water to hydrate me during class 🙂
10) Prep yourself for class on the fly.
I always have my gym bag ready to go to Pure Barre when I suddenly find myself able to go to class. I have to have my headbands and socks ready at all times. That way I just have to change and be on my way 🙂
Money can’t buy these socks 🙂
Me and Gabby- who taught my 100th class 🙂
