A few weeks ago my friend and I were strolling around Covent Garden when we saw a demonstration of an Xtend Barre workout at a store. After a short chat we were given a ticket to a free class (usual cost £15) to try it out ourselves.
So last night we trotted over to Balderton Street (just off Oxford Street by Selfridges) and were amazed to discover Dance Works studios. They do dance classes here in just about everything – including Russian and classical ballet, contemporary/Jazz (New York, Horton technique, Jazz-musical theatre), tap, Jamaican Dancehall, Salsa, Street, Hip-Hop, belly dance, Brazilian Zouk, Samba, Ballroom/Latin, Commercial Bollywood, Stiletto Heels, Zumba, African contemporary, Flamenco and Argentine Tango. They also provide a variety of fitness (Pilates, Yoga) and martial arts (Shorinji Kendo, Thai Kickboxing, Tai Chi, Sam Tu Dang) classes.
It’s an interesting building – there’s a small, well-staffed reception area and a tiny kiosk selling drinks. Then it’s down a narrow staircase and through some studios to the changing rooms and back then up numerous flights of an open staircase passing many other studios to get to Studio 6. The place is vast. And you can hear different types of music throughout the building. I felt like a cast member from Fame there were so many people in dance and fitness attire running up and down the stairs.
Naomi, our instructor, was quietly pleasant and really encouraging. There were five of us in the class and we lined up in front a wall mirror. There was use of the ballet positions (first, second, third etc) and some ballet moves (e.g. arabesque) but it was all explained and demonstrated as we went along so you don’t need any prior knowledge.
We started with some stretches and then moved swiftly on to working with some small hand weights (thank goodness they were small – it was a struggle to keep going through the routine). There was mat work where we did crunches, abs and oblique work and used a band around our legs for increased resistance on lifts. I also recognised a few Pilates moves. And of course there was work at the Barre. Just like a real ballet class - but harder and faster with grace and poise being sacrificed occasionally in order to keep up.
They describe Xtend Barre “Pilates and dance amplified” and suggest that it “chisels your body”. I was a big fan of the New York Ballet Workout a few years back. But this Xtend Barre class was much more energetic – and the graceful classical music was replaced with the latest dance hits. It felt like ballet on speed in a nightclub to me.
Having done a one and a half mixed martial arts (MMA) class just a few weeks ago, I can honestly say that I found it harder to keep up in this class. But the hour flew by in a flash and I did feel thoroughly worked out afterwards. I went straight out afterwards and drank a gallon of icy Diet Coke.
http://xtendbarreworkout.com/new/
http://danceworks.net/
