Class Pass: The Barre Code
By Molly O’Brien, Lifestyle Editorial Assistant
The Barre Code on West Washington Street in downtown Madison offers barre and kickboxing classes to give women a punch of empowerment. The space is inclusive and inviting to people of all fitness levels and offers a great release somewhere between yoga-zen and HIIT (high-intensity interval training) cardio.
Barre Code is perfect for the college student feeling nostalgic about their dance days and looking for a way to get into shape, stress-free. After trying out the studio for seven days, this is an all-access pass so you can make an informed decision when picking the gym that is right for you.
Day One: Barre Code
I walked in and was immediately greeted with a smile. While this seems standard, it makes a huge difference when starting out at a new gym. Luckily, I also ran into a friend who showed me the ropes. The class space reminded me of the dance studios I grew up in with barres and mirrors lining the walls. The class started with a quick warm-up, then we dove right into arms. This is so easy, I thought. Boy, was I wrong.
Barre class focuses on small, isolated movements. They also utilize light weights (think 2-3 pounds) and other props to give you a full workout. During the thigh section, I felt as if I had actually exposed my legs to flames they burned so much. In all honesty, I had to take a second to come out of my squat multiple times throughout the class. We also hit every section of the body using ballet and Pilates-inspired movements. Each section burned more than the one before it.
Day Two: Barre Code
Immediately when I rolled over in bed, I felt it. My glutes and triceps particularly ached, and I hesitated to book my next class. But, it was only day two. So, I booked the same barre class as it was the only one that fit my schedule.
This class followed the same series as the one prior, and it hurt just as bad. The plus side was that I knew what was coming. Downside: still killer. While you don’t sweat much, the isolated movements are clearly doing their job. In addition, both classes I attended have been all female, and there was a dog in the lobby today — good things if you are self-conscious about gyms.
Day Three: No Class
Two days in, and I thought my butt looked perky! I made my roommate check, who agreed. After two days in a row of barre, I decided to go for a run to loosen up and opted for no class.
Day Four: Brawl
Halfway through the week, I opted to try a new class: Brawl. Brawl is essentially kickboxing, with a few different sequences throughout. The sequences build on one another as you go, eventually creating a lengthy routine that I found somewhat difficult to follow. This class was much more intense cardio-wise than barre, and the woman next to me was throwing serious punches. It was a great way to wake up my senses and clear the mind before starting homework.
Day Five: Oops
I worked 11 hours and it was a Monday.
Day Six: Barre Code
Back to the original class. I really enjoy this workout and feel toned every time I leave. Another bonus is that I don’t feel the need to shower after, making this a great option for mornings or lunch break.
Day Seven: Brawl
Today was my last day of classes at the Barre Code. I decided to energize myself with Brawl before work and was excited to find out that they follow the same series for three weeks at a time. This means that the routine was easier to grasp than the first time I took the class. Additionally, I won’t be the only one jabbing when I should be kicking on days when a new routine is introduced — everyone will be in the same boat.
This class also mixes in a few spurts of HIIT to really get the burn going in the glutes and thighs. I always think I’m doing something right when I look down and a droplet of sweat rolls onto the ground, which happened during this class. As I walked around afterward, my thighs were seriously sore. Whether it was from the morning or barre code the previous day, I could tell this system would really work for longtime members looking for a tight, toned ballerina body.
In my opinion, The Barre Code is perfect for an alternative night out or event with your girl gang. Grab your favorite ladies and some fun socks (no shoes required!) and get ready to feel the burn.