*sigh*
Alright, people, here's the thing. MY THIGHS ARE SMALLER. And my abs are about as flat as anyone can expect when they eat and booze as much as I do - certainly flatter than they've ever been. And I hardly do any cardio anymore (because, really, who has the time?)
Also: MY HUSBAND HAS EVEN NOTICED. I hate to be all reinforcing gender stereotypes but SORRY men don't ever notice these things. A gain of a few pounds here and there and us ladies are all "AHH I AM A FATTYMCFATFACE" but men are all like "naked lady. yes. good. ug." (Well, the good guys are like this, at any rate! And truly, truly bless them for it - run for the hills from any man who DOES micromanage your cupcakes and notice the same small fluctuations in weight that make us psychocrazypants!)
ANYWAY. The real amazing thing about it is that I don't look crazy different. I've been doing yoga and lifting weights for years. The REAL amazing thing about it is that I've gained five pounds since doing Pure Barre. But my size is the same. Things fit me better, in fact. D'yall know what that means? I'M BUILDING MUSCLE, BABY AWWWWW YEAH! I am one lean, mean tucking machine now. So the fact that when I say something about my body/exercise routine and my husband says "yeah, I've noticed a difference, you look really great, honey" - if something relatively subtle can be noticeable to both me and my husband, then something right is happening. Things are being tightened and lifted and leaned out in ways that are sanctioned by our society and, you know what? I am fine with being more mainstream attractive! I admit it! Validate me, magazines!
And here I am: I've updated this review twice, going up a star each time. Because, at the end of the day*, it works. I've taken classes from, I think, all of the instructors (Jenna, Merrick, LaTasia and Megan, even a visiting lady from Nashville who maybe is an owner or something?), and they are all great and will all give you a great workout and will all inspire you with their banging bods (especially their legs and asses...and arms...and abs....) Yes, it's a bit spendy, but how much do you care about being hot?! Riddle me that! If the answer is "a lot" (even if that's only the answer you will drunkenly admit to your best friend), then you should do Pure Barre. Why spend all of your money on expensive clothes to feel better about yourself, when you could spend all of your money getting tortured by one of the hot instructors at Pure Barre and then buy CHEAPER clothing but have it look BETTER on you because you're all toned and stuff? Plus, they've lowered their prices. Yes, only by three dollars a class, but the packages reflect the change, too, and it shows they're listening and heeding the competition.
My advice to newbs: I, like you, was cynical at first. But look at my review history; it is a reflection of the results I've seen. I've grown progressively hooked. The workout hasn't gotten old for me, because it's enough of a challenge and I can feel myself getting better with each workout. And, the bottom line is, I've seen a difference. And, at the end of the day**, isn't that what we all want out of a workout?
*I actually really hate the phrase "at the end of the day"
**No! Seriously! I do! read more