Wilson’s Fitness in Columbia, Missouri, has taken two popular fitness trends and combined them into one. Hot Barre combines barre and hot yoga’s high temperatures to target participants’ cores, glutes, arms and legs. Catina Topash took time to chat with us about the class and how it’s been received by members.
CS: What exactly is Hot Barre?
CT: Hot Barre is one of the fastest, most effective ways to burn calories and get toned. Hot Barre is centered around a ballet barre and was inspired by the workout routine created by ballet legend Lotte Berk. No dance experience is necessary — the only thing you need to know are these three numbers: 95 degrees, 45 minutes and 800 calories.
CS: What do members like about the class?
CT: Members enjoy the challenge of the workout. They know that they are doing great things for their body, and the fact that they sweat without putting any stress on their joints makes them feel so good. The class is 45 minutes long, but we work the entire body. In fact, most have said we work muscles they didn’t even know they had! They love the fact that they are getting stronger without any risk of injury and creating a metabolic burn that lasts well past the class. They also enjoy the fast pace and fun music.
CS: Is the program available for other clubs to offer? If so, why should other clubs consider offering Hot Barre?
CT: Hot Barre is a program that I design and I train my instructors. Every two to three months I give them a new routine and new music to teach and train them on the choreography. The members love this because they know that they are going to get the same great workout, no matter which class they are able to go to.
They also know that through periodization, they are doing great things for their body. I am in the process of getting my program trademarked so that I can make it available to other clubs.
CS: How easy would it be to implement the program?
CT: If a club has a hot room currently, it is very easy to add a barre without compromising space in the room. If they don’t currently have a hot room, I recommend getting radiant heat because of all of its many benefits for the body. It’s a bit of an investment, but well worth it by the number of members that are attracted to this program versus other options in the group fitness arena. It will absolutely grow your membership base as well as create a cross training option for those that currently utilize other areas of group fitness.
CS: What else would you like club owners to know about the class?
CT: This is the type of class that you can take into a gym and create a small group effect for your members. It’s a way to treat them to radiant heat and a smaller trainer-to-client ratio, making them feel as if they are not just a number in a big gym. It’s also a great way to provide a safe and effective class that is obtainable by many different fitness levels and ages.
By Rachel Zabonick
