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I KNEW BARRE3 WAS A GREAT PRENATAL WORKOUT—BUT I HAD NO IDEA IT WOULD UP MY RUNNING GAME
As a competitive marathon runner accustomed to logging 40 to 80 miles per week, Amanda Nurse assumed she’d run throughout her pregnancy. Her body, though, had other plans. Read on to find out how barre3 not only kept Amanda strong while she was pregnant but also helped her come back to running stronger than ever.
When barre3 opened in my neighborhood in March 2017, I figured a couple classes a week would be a nice low-impact addition to my running. At nine weeks pregnant, I was still able to run about 30 miles per week, and assumed I would be able to run the full nine months—so it wasn’t so much that I planned to do barre3 instead of running, but in addition to it.
The week our barre3 studio opened, I took my first class. It was the perfect combination of the high-energy cardio I crave and also the yoga/meditation components I so desperately need. Not only that, but I also could not believe how sore I was the next day. It was like I worked muscles I never knew existed—and I liked it! I was instantly hooked and signed up as a Founding Member. Even though I was pretty active at the time, running six or seven days a week, barre3 worked my body in a total different way. In fact, I could feel the difference in my posture after just one class.
As my baby grew, running increasingly hurt my hip joints and caused sciatic pain as well as round ligament discomfort. I tried everything: taking days off in between, alternating running and walking, even using a belly band. Nothing worked. That vision I had of running daily up until the due date vanished, and I was even more grateful that I’d found barre3. I started going almost every day. It was such a great prenatal workout, and I loved how many other clients were pregnant, too. The instructors were really knowledgeable when it came to modifications, and it was such a supportive community to be a part of. With barre3, I met so many new friends, and received so much support and great advice in preparation for delivery and having a new baby!
After my son was born, I of course couldn’t wait to take him for runs in the jogging stroller—but you can’t do that until they’re about 6 months old. I was so grateful to be able to bring him to barre3 and have an hour to sweat and destress. He became really accustomed to the childcare providers, and it was comforting to me to know he was always in such good hands.
When I began running again at six weeks postpartum, I eased into it very slowly, and continued to incorporate barre3 classes into my workout routine. I felt like I was so much stronger because of the barre3 strengthening workouts I had done throughout pregnancy. I truly believe that barre3 kept my muscles strong, and prepped me to get back into my sport and allowed me to bounce back to my pre-baby self much faster! As a result, I was able to run the Boston Marathon at six months postpartum in 3:05—and felt great doing it!
It was then that I realized how key barre3 can be to runners. Barre3 is the perfect strengthening workout to incorporate into your training. I love the fact that poses are informed by physical-therapy exercises, inspired by runners and yogis, and instructed with various modifications to cater to each and every client. I’ve noticed my running form has gotten better, thanks to the glute and leg exercises and core work I was lacking in my previous training. Elite athletes regularly use strength training as a means of injury prevention and improving performance. Going to barre3 is like having my own personal trainer!
I’m convinced barre3 made the difference. I’m currently training for the Berlin Marathon this September, and hoping to qualify for the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials. Thanks to barre3, I think I can make it happen!
As a competitive marathon runner accustomed to logging 40 to 80 miles per week, Amanda Nurse assumed she’d run throughout her pregnancy. Her body, though, had other plans. Read on to find out how barre3 not only kept Amanda strong while she was pregnant but also helped her come back to running stronger than ever.
When barre3 opened in my neighborhood in March 2017, I figured a couple classes a week would be a nice low-impact addition to my running. At nine weeks pregnant, I was still able to run about 30 miles per week, and assumed I would be able to run the full nine months—so it wasn’t so much that I planned to do barre3 instead of running, but in addition to it.
The week our barre3 studio opened, I took my first class. It was the perfect combination of the high-energy cardio I crave and also the yoga/meditation components I so desperately need. Not only that, but I also could not believe how sore I was the next day. It was like I worked muscles I never knew existed—and I liked it! I was instantly hooked and signed up as a Founding Member. Even though I was pretty active at the time, running six or seven days a week, barre3 worked my body in a total different way. In fact, I could feel the difference in my posture after just one class.
As my baby grew, running increasingly hurt my hip joints and caused sciatic pain as well as round ligament discomfort. I tried everything: taking days off in between, alternating running and walking, even using a belly band. Nothing worked. That vision I had of running daily up until the due date vanished, and I was even more grateful that I’d found barre3. I started going almost every day. It was such a great prenatal workout, and I loved how many other clients were pregnant, too. The instructors were really knowledgeable when it came to modifications, and it was such a supportive community to be a part of. With barre3, I met so many new friends, and received so much support and great advice in preparation for delivery and having a new baby!
After my son was born, I of course couldn’t wait to take him for runs in the jogging stroller—but you can’t do that until they’re about 6 months old. I was so grateful to be able to bring him to barre3 and have an hour to sweat and destress. He became really accustomed to the childcare providers, and it was comforting to me to know he was always in such good hands.
When I began running again at six weeks postpartum, I eased into it very slowly, and continued to incorporate barre3 classes into my workout routine. I felt like I was so much stronger because of the barre3 strengthening workouts I had done throughout pregnancy. I truly believe that barre3 kept my muscles strong, and prepped me to get back into my sport and allowed me to bounce back to my pre-baby self much faster! As a result, I was able to run the Boston Marathon at six months postpartum in 3:05—and felt great doing it!
It was then that I realized how key barre3 can be to runners. Barre3 is the perfect strengthening workout to incorporate into your training. I love the fact that poses are informed by physical-therapy exercises, inspired by runners and yogis, and instructed with various modifications to cater to each and every client. I’ve noticed my running form has gotten better, thanks to the glute and leg exercises and core work I was lacking in my previous training. Elite athletes regularly use strength training as a means of injury prevention and improving performance. Going to barre3 is like having my own personal trainer!
I’m convinced barre3 made the difference. I’m currently training for the Berlin Marathon this September, and hoping to qualify for the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials. Thanks to barre3, I think I can make it happen!
