Greetings, Friends:

If you haven’t heard about the Bar Method and want to get in shape, read on. Our glorious intern Amy Copperman reports on the latest exercise craze out of California.–Erika Lenkert

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The Bar Method
By Amy Copperman
One of the things I love most is a really good exercise routine–the kind that makes you sweat and leaves you feeling with that euphoric “I just worked out and deserve a treat” feeling.

At the same time, I have neither the patience, nor the will power to stay on the treadmill for any reasonable amount of time. Free weights intimidate me, and when at the gym my focus is usually on the latest US magazine rather than physical activity. So instead, I’m in a constant search for a class or routine that will keep my attention. I’ve done swimming, yoga, pilates, and dance to get my endorphin fix, and recently, I’ve fallen in love with the latest exercise trend: the Bar Method.

The class combines the best aspects of yoga, pilates, strength training, and stretching, using your own body weight and deceptively easy moves to build long, lean muscles. Jane magazine says it “Burns fat and carves muscle.” Its website promises it will result in a leaner, slimmer, more youthful body. I say it leaves my muscles shaking, heart racing, and thighs more cooperative when putting on a pair of jeans. In other words, it rocks.

During the hour-long class I am never bored. Nor do I even have to look at a treadmill. Plus its use of the ballet bar and emphasis on stretching has me feeling like a ballerina…and what’s not to love about that?

While classes are currently limited to a handful of locations California, New Jersey, and Connecticut, do-it-yourself videos are available through the website.

[ tags]exercise, the bar method, new trend[/tags]