"Knowing that I can get an intense, full body workout in just 55 minutes never ceases to amaze me. Pure Barre has completely changed my mindset on exercising. The music, the moves, and the motivating community make my Pure Barre workout one of the best parts of my day! I love getting to meet and develop friendships with women of all ages and backgrounds who are all trying to live healthy, positive lives!" - Avery Shannon, Pure Barre Instructor
In the fall of 2011, Heidi Hogrefe introduced Pure Barre to the Jackson area. Pure Barre is a total body workout that promises to lift your seat, tone your thighs, abs and arms, and burn an impressive amount of calories, all within a 55 minute class.
Pure Barre is positively changing the bodies and attitudes of women across our state. With its non-impact exercises, clients are discovering long, lean and beautiful muscles. Both clients and instructors are amazed at the quick results, and the refreshing sense of community in each studio. Emiko Faust, a Pure Barre client, says, "Pure Barre has not only toned my body, but changed me from a person who despised working out to a person who is upset if they have to go a day without a class. But the people at Pure Barre are the real treat. The instructors are all amazing and inspire you to push yourself past what you did in class the day before.”
We had the pleasure of speaking with Heidi about what makes Pure Barre such an addictive, unique and effective form of exercise:
In the fall of 2011, Heidi Hogrefe introduced Pure Barre to the Jackson area. Pure Barre is a total body workout that promises to lift your seat, tone your thighs, abs and arms, and burn an impressive amount of calories, all within a 55 minute class.
Pure Barre is positively changing the bodies and attitudes of women across our state. With its non-impact exercises, clients are discovering long, lean and beautiful muscles. Both clients and instructors are amazed at the quick results, and the refreshing sense of community in each studio. Emiko Faust, a Pure Barre client, says, "Pure Barre has not only toned my body, but changed me from a person who despised working out to a person who is upset if they have to go a day without a class. But the people at Pure Barre are the real treat. The instructors are all amazing and inspire you to push yourself past what you did in class the day before.”
We had the pleasure of speaking with Heidi about what makes Pure Barre such an addictive, unique and effective form of exercise:
Why did you decide to open Pure Barre in Jackson?
“I have been teaching the technique since 2009. Teaching Pure Barre quickly became a passion and was very rewarding for me! This passion and love made me take the jump from teaching to owning a Pure Barre studio. I brought Pure Barre to Jackson since Mississippi did not have any Pure Barre studios to call their own. I wanted to share this amazing technique with the Jackson community. Also, Jackson is where I met my husband, so we have strong ties to the city. He went to Millsaps College and is now one of the owners of Char, Amerigo, Sombra and Anjou Restaurants. Jackson is our second home!”
How is Pure Barre different than other exercise classes?
“Pure Barre will motivate you to push yourself. You will see results in as little as 10 classes. When taking a class, the client is able to ‘block out’ the world and she is forced to focus on herself. A Pure Barre class will not stop from start to finish. This is key in order to see quick results. Finally, there is a sense of community in the studios. I think the clients like the idea of belonging to this community of strong women; they truly motivate and encourage each other!”
Explain the technique that is used in class and what type of results participants can expect!
“It is non-impact exercise and focuses on many areas that women struggle with the most: seat, thighs, hips, arms and abs. Pure Barre utilizes the ballet barre, but is not dance. During your 55-minute class, you will strengthen each part of the body, followed by stretching. This creates long, lean muscles. Pure Barre technique involves small isometric movements, which work your muscles to fatigue. When the muscles are worked to fatigue, this is when you gain strength and burn fat. This is a good thing!
Also, a certified instructor teaches every class. You will receive personal attention, motivation and guidance with every class. The instructors are there to answer any questions after class as well. Finally, Pure Barre is an athletic technique, which is challenging and fun!”
“I have been teaching the technique since 2009. Teaching Pure Barre quickly became a passion and was very rewarding for me! This passion and love made me take the jump from teaching to owning a Pure Barre studio. I brought Pure Barre to Jackson since Mississippi did not have any Pure Barre studios to call their own. I wanted to share this amazing technique with the Jackson community. Also, Jackson is where I met my husband, so we have strong ties to the city. He went to Millsaps College and is now one of the owners of Char, Amerigo, Sombra and Anjou Restaurants. Jackson is our second home!”
How is Pure Barre different than other exercise classes?
“Pure Barre will motivate you to push yourself. You will see results in as little as 10 classes. When taking a class, the client is able to ‘block out’ the world and she is forced to focus on herself. A Pure Barre class will not stop from start to finish. This is key in order to see quick results. Finally, there is a sense of community in the studios. I think the clients like the idea of belonging to this community of strong women; they truly motivate and encourage each other!”
Explain the technique that is used in class and what type of results participants can expect!
“It is non-impact exercise and focuses on many areas that women struggle with the most: seat, thighs, hips, arms and abs. Pure Barre utilizes the ballet barre, but is not dance. During your 55-minute class, you will strengthen each part of the body, followed by stretching. This creates long, lean muscles. Pure Barre technique involves small isometric movements, which work your muscles to fatigue. When the muscles are worked to fatigue, this is when you gain strength and burn fat. This is a good thing!
Also, a certified instructor teaches every class. You will receive personal attention, motivation and guidance with every class. The instructors are there to answer any questions after class as well. Finally, Pure Barre is an athletic technique, which is challenging and fun!”
What advice can you share for someone wanting to try Pure Barre for the first time?
“All classes are the same level, as the technique was designed to work people at all different fitness levels. Seasoned clients can always work deeper or at a new level. The veteran clients usually encourage the new clients, as they had their first class at one point as well. New clients take alongside our seasoned women everyday. The class moves at such a fast pace that everyone is in their own ‘zone.’
Our staff is extremely welcoming and helpful to new clients. As a Pure Barre teacher of 6 years, I realize how hard it is for someone to take that first step. I believe in encouraging this person and motivating them through their first steps. I always tell a new client that she is not going to do everything correctly and this is OK! With every class you can work deeper and gain more knowledge of the technique. If you can hold onto the barre, you can do a Pure Barre class!”
We also asked Heidi to share her tips for staying healthy, happy and hydrated during the warm summer months:
“Drink smoothies! You can get so many nutrients in one smoothie. Play around with what you like. I always include lots of baby kale/spinach, one lemon/lime, one green apple, and your favorite berries. Mix with water and/or sugar free juice.”
“Don’t be sedentary. Try to keep up with some sort of workout regimen. It may not be your usual 4-5 classes a week. However, even if you cut your workouts in half, you won’t lose the stamina/strength when returning to your usual schedule. If you’re on vacation, try to at least squeeze in a walk or visit a local Pure Barre studio. There are over 300 locations across the U.S. Also, we do rent Pure Barre DVDs at our locations!”
“Try to keep food portions under control. If you’re on vacation and exercising less, eat what you like. However, cut your portions accordingly.”
“Have snacks! Eat when you’re hungry. When you workout regularly your metabolism goes up, you burn more calories and in turn, are hungry more often. Nuts/dried fruit, celery/apples with almond butter, baby carrots with light cream cheese and Greek yogurt are quick go-to’s.”
“Drink water! Staying hydrated replenishes the body and rids the toxins.”
“Eat within 45 minutes of a hard workout. You will burn these calories immediately and the body needs immediate replenishment.”
“All classes are the same level, as the technique was designed to work people at all different fitness levels. Seasoned clients can always work deeper or at a new level. The veteran clients usually encourage the new clients, as they had their first class at one point as well. New clients take alongside our seasoned women everyday. The class moves at such a fast pace that everyone is in their own ‘zone.’
Our staff is extremely welcoming and helpful to new clients. As a Pure Barre teacher of 6 years, I realize how hard it is for someone to take that first step. I believe in encouraging this person and motivating them through their first steps. I always tell a new client that she is not going to do everything correctly and this is OK! With every class you can work deeper and gain more knowledge of the technique. If you can hold onto the barre, you can do a Pure Barre class!”
We also asked Heidi to share her tips for staying healthy, happy and hydrated during the warm summer months:
“Drink smoothies! You can get so many nutrients in one smoothie. Play around with what you like. I always include lots of baby kale/spinach, one lemon/lime, one green apple, and your favorite berries. Mix with water and/or sugar free juice.”
“Don’t be sedentary. Try to keep up with some sort of workout regimen. It may not be your usual 4-5 classes a week. However, even if you cut your workouts in half, you won’t lose the stamina/strength when returning to your usual schedule. If you’re on vacation, try to at least squeeze in a walk or visit a local Pure Barre studio. There are over 300 locations across the U.S. Also, we do rent Pure Barre DVDs at our locations!”
“Try to keep food portions under control. If you’re on vacation and exercising less, eat what you like. However, cut your portions accordingly.”
“Have snacks! Eat when you’re hungry. When you workout regularly your metabolism goes up, you burn more calories and in turn, are hungry more often. Nuts/dried fruit, celery/apples with almond butter, baby carrots with light cream cheese and Greek yogurt are quick go-to’s.”
“Drink water! Staying hydrated replenishes the body and rids the toxins.”
“Eat within 45 minutes of a hard workout. You will burn these calories immediately and the body needs immediate replenishment.”
Thank you so much, Heidi, for bringing this powerfully effective workout to the Jackson area. For more information on Pure Barre, please visit their website here or their Facebook page here.
{Blog by Mitchell Walters}
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