fitness: Let’s Get The Scoop on Barre and Piyo

LET’S GET The Scoop ON BARRE AND PIYO

BY ALISON CARDOZA PHOTOS BY DICK ARNSPIGER

Alison Cardoza, B.S. Exercise Science and Sports Medicine. Minor in Health Promotions. ACSM Certifi ed Personal Trainer and Fitour Group Exercise Instructor at Baptist East Milestone Wellness Center. Former University of Louisville Ladybird and NFL Indianapolis Colts Cheerleader.

Barre

When we hear the word Barre, many are reminded of ballet class as a child twirling in a pink tutu wearing ballet shoes. No need to whip out those tutus and ballet shoes for this Barre class. Comfortable workout wear is welcome, such as leggings and a comfortable shirt. Ballet shoes are not required; however, no- slip socks or gripper socks are recommended. A Barre class is a workout focused on technique inspired by elements of yoga, pilates, and ballet. The idea is to target movements with a high number of repetitions with little to no resistance. With the focus being on arms, core, glutes, and legs, these movements incorporate pulses with many reps to get a fatiguing workout. Very simple movements such as

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Baptist Health/Milestone wellness

squats are repeated over and over to fatigue, similar to the workout that we may have felt in ballet class without all the fancy turns and intricate footwork. Some classes incorporate bands or exercise balls, but most of the class consists of just simple exercises using your own body weight. Balance, fl exibility, and posture are just a few of the amazing benefi ts that a Barre class offers.

PiYo

PiYo offers the dynamic duo of pilates and yoga in one. This class offers low impact movements that do not involve jumping, equipment, or weights. The only materials you may want to bring with you if you are a fi rst timer, would be a yoga mat and towel. With the strengthening benefi ts from pilates and the fl exibility effects of yoga, PiYo offers an overall full body workout. If you are familiar with the term downward facing dog, PiYo incorporates downward dog with a plank to create a fl owing movement called the “ Downward -Facing Dog Plank Flow.” Repeating this movement 8 to 12 times gives you joint stress free calisthenic workout that can be done daily. These classes are offered at Baptist Health Milestone Wellness Center. Amy Brennan is one of our instructors. She brings the fun into a workout, allowing new students to feel comfortable at the same time. Amy has been teaching PiYo for eight years. “You get a full body workout with no impact,” says Amy. “I am known as the Planking Queen and the side plank is my specialty. In my Barre class, we use a lot of light weights and body weight to tone and build strength. I love to play 80s music, and lucky for me, my Barre students love it too.” Try something new in the month of May and treat yourself this Mother’s Day to a PiYo or Barre class at Milestone. 