The FlyBarre Challenge

Let me begin my acknowledging that I've been fail in the blogosphere. I'm sorry. Moving on.

So many of you know I'm about to graduate law school (hooray). I'm also about to sit for the Georgia Bar Exam (boo).

Part of my preparation for the bar exam is going to include clarity of mind through exercise. Exercise in and of itself is a routine, it's consistent and it builds confidence when you meet goals. Positivity.

As Elle Woods says, "Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy."

I want happy.

Keeping Elle's infinite wisdom in mind, I decided to embark on a new challenge, The FlyBarre Challenge.

In Atlanta, the sign up ends TODAY. It is $550 for 24 classes with the intention to go 4x/week for 6 weeks. This cost includes a nutrition seminar, parties for the "opening" and "closing" to the challenge among other things.

If you are a Flywheel member or a Flybarre member already, the cost is $200.

I'm ready to undergo a body transformation. Yes, I know I'm intentionally inflicting pain on myself.

FlyBarre is near impossible for me so this should be ... interesting.

I need this in my life. I need the routine to take over prior to bar review. I need the confidence in myself so that I know I can achieve seemingly impossible goals.

This might be embarrassing at times for me (they measure you, weigh you, watch you imperfectly contort your body in class) but I know that at the end, I will feel great, look great and be so proud of myself.

That's what matters.

I intend on doing like a weekly update for those of you interested in possibly doing the challenge at some point (they do it throughout the year).

Bar or Barre. They are both going to kick my butt.

xo
B

FlyBarre: Hurts. But Oh My Goodness, It Totally Works!

Only months ago I wrote a post about my absolute obsession with Flywheel and trust me and my lululemons - that obsession is alive and well. Seriously, the results have been visible and most importantly, I feel so happy and confident about working out thanks to Flywheel.

But I wanted to throw another challenge into the mix, you know, kick it up a notch.

And Flywheel's baby sister, FlyBarre, was just sitting there in the fly studio all cute like and I knew I needed to just go for it and make a date.

Love hurts, y'all.

Blending yoga, ballet, dance, resistance training and cardio, FlyBarre works every bit of you - and then some.

And one thing I don't really do with consistency (mainly because I am just more of a cardio person) is controlled toning exercises. And well, you know the deal, a few lunges here, a few good-intentioned crunches there ... but it's never enough.

Even if I put a lot of effort into such a feat, it isn't always effective.  I think "It's not you, weights and medicine balls, it's me. And we can't just be friends, we're mortal enemies."

That's just sad.

Then FlyBarre swooped in with its sparkly cape and saved my fitness planet.

Ladies, ever heard of those "problem areas"?

*cough* *thighs* *abs* *triceps* *booty* *cough*

FlyBarre will take care of it for ya.

Ever heard of parts of your body you didn't know existed?? Uh ... yeah, me either.

Well have no fear, FlyBarre took care of all that too. You mustn't worry about googling unknown body appendages and such. They are just there and they ache after FlyBarre. Don't question them.

Despite all of this, FlyBarre is tons of fun. You can bond with fellow classmates, the music is great and you know that after your first class you can really get the hang of the choreography and positions.

Today I had class with Kelsey, a former Falcons cheerleader, and she was so sweet and I just am in awe of what she's trained her body to do. She's a great motivator.

The first class is absolutely free. Sign up here and get going.

All you need is yourself and maybe a water. They provide weights, towels, mats, resistance bands, squishy balls of torture, the oh so good kind of pain and the jams.


Raise your barre and try it out. See what I did there?

Cheers,
B

New Obsession: Flywheel Atlanta

For me, exercise has always been a necessity, but it was never consistent and never really fun. Then there was Flywheel Atlanta. I'm pretty sure it has changed everything.

Flywheel is great for any guy or gal wanting to get fit and thinks they need that extra push, whatever that may be. For me, my push was having the company of the entire class, the guidance of the instructor and most importantly, the seriously awesome music that takes your mind somewhere else so you don't think about the burn.

How did I find Flywheel? One night I had dinner at STG Trattoria right behind the St. Regis and there it was, all bright and shiny, the new Flywheel studio right here in Buckhead.

What I love about Flywheel: Pretty much everything, really. First things first, your very first class is free - which is awesome.  That way, you can see if Flywheel is for you before you share any of your hard-earned cash.

Flywheel also gives you cycling shoes to wear each class that are customized to secure your feet on the cycle, which is also a nice little freebie.

Once you create an online flywheel account, you can earn credits when your friends make accounts via your link. The "Fly With Friends" program is fantastic and quite helpful once you're hooked and you want to keep on going. So be a doll and use this link, Come fly with me! xo

The location is also great. In the heart of Buckhead, Flywheel is easily accessible for people like me, who live in the area, or for many of those who work in the area. It's really worth the drive, though. Many drive in from the burbs (yeah, OTP people) to have a ride at Flywheel.

Calories are literally scorched. On average you burn almost 1000 calories a class (that's been my experience anyway). The class is 45 minutes, and the entire time the instructor helps guide you through hills and straights and even an upper body workout: arms, shoulders and back with 2 and 4 pound weights. The entire time you're adjusting your torque (resistance) and RPMs, so even though I'd suggest getting as close as you can to the mark, you can absolutely adjust everything at your own pace.

The feeling you get when you're done ... is unreal. Flywheel doesn't stress me out like other workouts. I am actually excited to go and I leave knowing it was time well spent and that I had a GREAT workout.

Downside? It's a bit pricey, unless you recruit your friends to come with you once you have an account. The first ride is free, but after that it will cost you $25 per class. There are packages available, too. But if you can swing it, I say go for it. Flywheel has given me far more than I feel I've given them.

And that's just that.

Cheers darlings, and come fly with me.

B