I never thought I would see the day when I would write about my fitness regime; let alone that I was excited to share it! At the end of the day, I love sharing topics with my readers that are a huge part of my day-to-day life and fitness is no doubt one of them.
So you might be interested in taking a workout class and don’t know where to start. I have been there too. It’s hard with so many choices these days—especially living in a city where people have a craving for fitness left and right. A workout I have always been curious about is the HIIT (high intensity interval training) workout at Barry’s Bootcamp. I never doubted I wouldn’t like it – but so far, I love it. Wherever you are in your fitness journey, you MUST give Barry’s Bootcamp a try. I understand it might be a little nerve racking imagining a “bootcamp” setup, but I mean it when I say you become so empowered from this workout. It is an experience where you are so pumped up by the music and the trainers, you give 200%. The first time I took a class, the music was blasting and the energy in the room gave me goose bumps. If there is one thing for certain, it is that you CAN do it and you will LOVE yourself after.
Again, what is Barry’s Bootcamp all about you ask?The HIIT workout is designed to burn up to 1,000 calories and is divided up between strength and cardio (25- 30 minutes each). I have been fortunate enough to take a few classes and I am obsessed so far with Barry’s and the results I am seeing. I sat down with my fierce boss lady friend Kate Lemere who is a Chicago Founding Trainer and Marketing Coordinator of Barry’s Chicago to help tell you more because who better to hear from than the fitness expert herself!? If a Barry’s studio isn’t near you, I hope at the least this encourages you to take chances and push yourself to get to where you want to be in your fitness journey. I love supporting brands that I truly believe in, and I love sharing it with others in hopes that they like it too. If you are in Chicago, come take a class with me!! I would love to sweat with you ;).
XO.
Lex
Kate Lemere is a Barry’s Bootcamp Trainer, Nike Trainer and founder of the blog The Four Percent.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BARRY’S AND OTHER FITNESS STUDIOS?
Barry’s is the pioneer of boutique fitness and since its inception in 1998, it has grown into a global community. The energy in the room and the caliber of trainers is what sets us apart. I mean we didn’t even make our own tagline. Our clients coined our tagline as “the best workout in the world.”
TELL ME ABOUT THE WORKOUT. YOU EITHER DO FLOOR EXERCISES OR YOU’RE RUNNING YOUR A$$ OFF ON THE TREADMILL– WHAT IS THE REASON BEHIND SWITCHING BETWEEN FLOOR TO TREADMILL?
It’s a HIIT workout or high intensity interval training. You are pairing cardio with strength training. This is the most effective combination that helps stimulate muscle fibers and creates an after burn effect. Also, HIIT workouts are approachable for all fitness levels: different exercises can be modified and progressed to cater to all ability levels both on the floor and on the treads. You know your own body the best and what it is capable of.
THE INSTRUCTORS. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS MOST IMPORTANT TO THEM WHEN IT COMES TO TEACHING CLASSES?
The energy of the room and focus. ENERGY is contagious and it’s continually repurposed. As instructors, it’s our job to propel energy forward, but it’s even better when our clients feed off of it and feed into it for each other. Something else that is important is FOCUS. There is a lot going on in the room. To give 100% you need to listen and pace yourself appropriately to get the best of your workout. You have to listen to what you are doing and where you are going next so you’re able to pace yourself appropriately and set yourself up for maximum success.
YOUR CLASSES OFFER A VARIETY OF FOCUS POINTS (ARMS, LEGS, CHEST, ABS.) WHY NOT FULL BODY ALL THE TIME? WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF HAVING SPECIFIC CLASSES?
Barry’s schedule is planned on a macro level across the week to avoid overtraining and overuse. One day you’re working your arms and abs, the next it’s butt and legs, and the day after chest, back and so on. Traditional splits allow for gains without injury.
WHEN YOU TAKE CLASSES AT BARRY’S, YOU WANT TO SEE RESULTS. HOW LONG DOES THIS TAKE? WHAT OTHER STEPS NEED TO BE TAKEN TO SEE THE RESULTS YOU WANT (TIGHT BOOTY, SLIM HIPS/LEGS, TONED MUSCLE, ETC.)
Every BODY is different. After your first class, you feel different—emotionally and spiritually. After a couple of weeks you will see results kick in. You have to keep pushing a little more speed and a little more weight each time to see the results. Also, when it comes to your diet, it’s just as important to consider when you eat as it is to consider what you eat. Our Fuel Bar, for example, has a full menu of shakes with protein and carbs to help you recover and help your muscles rebuild and repair.
It takes TIME to change your body especially when you are just starting your fitness journey. At Barry’s, you will see results but what is most important is to have fun.
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I always enjoy learning about experts on a more personal level too: How they got to where they are today, words they live by, and more. See below for a few more questions I asked Kate and how fitness is a part of her everyday lifestyle.
FOR SOMEONE WHO IS JUST STARTING TO GET BACK ON THE FITNESS/WORKOUT GRIND, WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR THEM?
Don’t get frustrated with yourself—ask questions and enjoy the process. I have my own blog, The Four Percent that helps explain why I prescribe workouts I execute because knowing why you are doing something as opposed to going through the motions helps you to continuously evaluate what you need to get to where you want to be.
DURING YOUR CLASS, YOU SAY SOME VERY ENCOURAGING WORDS TO GET YOUR CLASS THROUGH THE WORKOUT. WHAT SAYING/ QUOTE TO YOU LIVE BY WHEN IT COMES TO FITNESS?
Meeting the moment. When you are listening to a pump up song or signing up for class—you are looking for that push to better yourself. When the time comes, we back down because we are afraid we don’t think we can do it. That’s a shame. This weight (or) run is what you came here for. Don’t back down, meet it, take it head on and when you leave you’ll feel like you did what you came to do. It helps build confidence to help you achieve other things even outside the room.
HOW DO YOU DEFINE FITNESS?
I define fitness as a prioritizing moment. Fitness doesn’t have to be complicated and it doesn’t have to be crazy or creative. You don’t even need to be crazy active. Just take care of your body. If you don’t take care of your body- your body won’t be conditioned to take care of you. You need quality of life and you have to take care of yourself to do it.
HOW DID YOU MAKE FITNESS A PART OF YOUR DAILY LIFESTYLE?
I was a competitive swimmer for nearly 15 years, and being active was ingrained into my lifestyle from a very early age. For those who struggle with motivation I would encourage a little tough love. All day every day we do things that we don’t necessarily want to do (think go to work, take out the trash, clean our house, etc) but we do it because we have to. Working out and taking care of your body is no different.
ASIDE FROM BARRY’S BOOTCAMP STYLE WORKOUTS, WHAT ARE YOUR TOP 3 FAVORITE WORKOUTS? (CARDIO, YOGA, PILATES?)
You need a well-rounded training routine. I recommend mix of HIIT, strength training and mobility/recovery. Barry’s, cycling, pilates, I love it all.
FAVORITE SNACK? GUILTY PLEASURE?
I have a raging sweet tooth. I love HALO top ice cream or nut butter based snacks. I must have dessert every night whether it’s fruit, or a protein pancake with almond butter to close out the night. I do it every night and I do it for myself.
WHAT DO YOU THINK THE NEXT TREND IS IN THE FITNESS WORLD? (FOOD? STYLE? A SPECIFIC WORKOUT?)
I think there will continue to be a greater emphasis on community and connection. People as humans crave the touch points- a connection to the trainer, instructor, and just connecting socially with the trainers.