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I LIVE FOR OUTDOOR SPORTS, AND BARRE3 HELPS ME DO ALL OF THEM BETTER
The word is out: barre3 is a game-changer for athletes. More and more, we’re hearing from ultra-active clients that our combination of strength conditioning, cardio, and mindfulness is helping them take their performance to the next level.
That’s exactly what Robin Vieira discovered when she first tried barre3. An avid athlete—depending on the season, you can find her trail running, mountain biking, skiing, or surfing—Robin has found that her barre3 practice has upped her game across her sports. We sat down with her to talk about her love for the outdoors, her commitment to mindfulness, and her upcoming adventures.
B3 MAGAZINE: You’re incredibly active! Can you walk us through all the sports you take part in?
ROBIN: You bet! I like to call myself a seasonal athlete—meaning the seasons we experience here in central Oregon directly influence my sports. It’s summer now, so I’m in full-on biking and running mode. As summer closes and fall sets in, I’ll transition to more biking since the dirt will settle and become more wet—perfect for riding. Then, as fall closes and winter approaches, hill training starts so I can have strong legs for ski touring uphill and down.
I definitely take the whole cross-training thing to heart. Running in the mountains is my main sport and passion, but I mountain bike and ski tour for fun. Aside from mountain sports, I also love to surf (longboard style) and just be in the ocean. I grew up in the Pacific Northwest, and I feel most at home when my time is somewhat balanced between the mountains and the sea.
B3 MAGAZINE: What do you do to train for all of these activities?
ROBIN: I do weekly kettlebell and body-weight strength-training, and circuits to keep my body strong and ready for all the expected and unexpected parts about playing in the mountains. I do barre3 from three to five times a week, for anywhere from 10 to 60 minutes, depending on what I have time for. Last (but certainly not least), I have an at-home yoga and meditation practice that keeps my mind fresh and alert when I’m out on the trails. I studied yoga in Bali for a month a few years back, which has elevated my practice to a whole new level, but I don’t do it every day like I think many people assume yoga teachers do. It’s all a balance! My practice ebbs and flows, just like the rest of life.
B3 MAGAZINE: Have you always been so active, or is it something you discovered as an adult?
ROBIN: I feel fortunate saying it’s always been the only way of life I’ve known, from when I was a little girl to now. My family helped influence my active lifestyle from an early age. I grew up playing competitive soccer, playing all through college, and then I moved into mountain sports not long after I graduated.
I’ve always found the most freedom, creativity, and joy through physical activity. I suppose as I grew into adulthood I realized how much I enjoyed spending time with people who also value being physically active. I get so inspired when I’m around like-minded people from all sorts of backgrounds. There’s something about a community of people who appreciate movement of all types with zero expectations about how it has to look or feel. That’s where the barre3 magic comes into play.
B3 MAGAZINE: When did you first discover barre3?
ROBIN: About three years ago, while I was doing an internship with Patagonia down in Ventura, California. I was lucky enough to be living next to the beach and surfing almost every day. It was a dream come true—except I had hardly any space to practice yoga or do my strength training. So, I searched online for this thing called “barre” that I had heard of, and I was so stoked to learn that barre3 had online classes! Some days I took barre3 with me to the front porch, but most days B3 and I went to the beach, because #barre3anywhere.
B3 MAGAZINE: What did you think of that first class?
ROBIN: I was blown away by how GOOD I felt after just 30 minutes. I’m not talking gasping-for-air type of worked, but I’m also not talking ridiculously easy wondering what to do next to burn all my energy off. Somehow, barre3 fit right into the middle, leaving me feeling energized and worked in all the right places. Those little stabilizers in your hips that are absolutely CRUCIAL to running: B3 has strengthened those. Those hip flexers that are necessary for ski touring uphill: B3 has helped develop those as well. And those small muscles crucial to healthy knee movement when pedaling a mountain bike uphill: B3 somehow manages to get those as well. It’s incredible to have a community through barre3 that helps me in person and online keep my body healthy and working toward my athletic goals in mountain sports.
B3 MAGAZINE: Has the mindfulness aspect of barre3 had any effect on your performance?
ROBIN: I like to start and finish every day with a few deep and intentional breaths—it helps me open and close the day with gratitude. Barre3 has a similar effect with the opening and closing of every class, which has had no doubt a super-positive impact on my performance—in my athletic pursuits, but also in my day-to-day life. It’s truly a holistic and sustainable approach to fitness, and I notice an increased capacity to remain mindful throughout my day/week with a regular barre3 practice. Paying attention to every single movement during the barre3 workout and appreciating the burn has brought about increased patience with myself and others, and gratitude for wherever the day takes me.
B3 MAGAZINE: What’s next for you, sports/competition-wise?
ROBIN: I am running the TransRockies Stage Race in Colorado this August, which includes the option to do a three- or six-day race for a total of either 60 or 120 miles. It’s going to be a few days of lots of vertical gain, miles, and gorgeous mountain views. I’m also planning on running the Race the Wolf 50K SkyRace in Schweitzer, Idaho, in a few weeks, and then I have a couple of mountain-bike races planned throughout the summer.
B3 Magazine: That’s a packed schedule!
ROBIN: All in all, it’s a balance. My challenge is to remember to say no, and to listen to my body so I don’t overdo it. Barre3 brings a sense of balance into my life—almost like an invitation to take a minute to remember what’s important, to give myself love and appreciation, and to share these good things with a community.
I think it’s important to note that I’m not a professional athlete or social media influencer by trade. I may be chasing some running and biking goals down the road, but I also hold an office job in marketing, where I sit at a desk Monday through Friday. My point is, I may not get out for the epic 15-miler I had planned on a Tuesday after work, or the weather may turn and our weekend trip may have to wait. Life happens, and barre3 helps me remember there are other ways to slow down and give my body time to either recover or exercise in different ways. Barre3 is the perfect complement to my active lifestyle.
A native of the Pacific Northwest, Robin moved from the city to the mountains to pursue mountain running and biking—and, as it turned out, a career in marketing at Hydro Flask. She lives with her boyfriend, Ren, in Bend, Oregon, where she aims to share the joys of mindful, human-powered play in the mountains with her community. You can learn more about Robin here, and follow her outdoor pursuits here.
Inspired by Robin’s story? Start your own barre3 journey by finding your local studio or signing up for a 15-day free trial of barre3 online!
Inset photo by Max Rhulen (@maxrhulen)
The word is out: barre3 is a game-changer for athletes. More and more, we’re hearing from ultra-active clients that our combination of strength conditioning, cardio, and mindfulness is helping them take their performance to the next level.
That’s exactly what Robin Vieira discovered when she first tried barre3. An avid athlete—depending on the season, you can find her trail running, mountain biking, skiing, or surfing—Robin has found that her barre3 practice has upped her game across her sports. We sat down with her to talk about her love for the outdoors, her commitment to mindfulness, and her upcoming adventures.
B3 MAGAZINE: You’re incredibly active! Can you walk us through all the sports you take part in?
ROBIN: You bet! I like to call myself a seasonal athlete—meaning the seasons we experience here in central Oregon directly influence my sports. It’s summer now, so I’m in full-on biking and running mode. As summer closes and fall sets in, I’ll transition to more biking since the dirt will settle and become more wet—perfect for riding. Then, as fall closes and winter approaches, hill training starts so I can have strong legs for ski touring uphill and down.
I definitely take the whole cross-training thing to heart. Running in the mountains is my main sport and passion, but I mountain bike and ski tour for fun. Aside from mountain sports, I also love to surf (longboard style) and just be in the ocean. I grew up in the Pacific Northwest, and I feel most at home when my time is somewhat balanced between the mountains and the sea.
B3 MAGAZINE: What do you do to train for all of these activities?
ROBIN: I do weekly kettlebell and body-weight strength-training, and circuits to keep my body strong and ready for all the expected and unexpected parts about playing in the mountains. I do barre3 from three to five times a week, for anywhere from 10 to 60 minutes, depending on what I have time for. Last (but certainly not least), I have an at-home yoga and meditation practice that keeps my mind fresh and alert when I’m out on the trails. I studied yoga in Bali for a month a few years back, which has elevated my practice to a whole new level, but I don’t do it every day like I think many people assume yoga teachers do. It’s all a balance! My practice ebbs and flows, just like the rest of life.
B3 MAGAZINE: Have you always been so active, or is it something you discovered as an adult?
ROBIN: I feel fortunate saying it’s always been the only way of life I’ve known, from when I was a little girl to now. My family helped influence my active lifestyle from an early age. I grew up playing competitive soccer, playing all through college, and then I moved into mountain sports not long after I graduated.
I’ve always found the most freedom, creativity, and joy through physical activity. I suppose as I grew into adulthood I realized how much I enjoyed spending time with people who also value being physically active. I get so inspired when I’m around like-minded people from all sorts of backgrounds. There’s something about a community of people who appreciate movement of all types with zero expectations about how it has to look or feel. That’s where the barre3 magic comes into play.
B3 MAGAZINE: When did you first discover barre3?
ROBIN: About three years ago, while I was doing an internship with Patagonia down in Ventura, California. I was lucky enough to be living next to the beach and surfing almost every day. It was a dream come true—except I had hardly any space to practice yoga or do my strength training. So, I searched online for this thing called “barre” that I had heard of, and I was so stoked to learn that barre3 had online classes! Some days I took barre3 with me to the front porch, but most days B3 and I went to the beach, because #barre3anywhere.
B3 MAGAZINE: What did you think of that first class?
ROBIN: I was blown away by how GOOD I felt after just 30 minutes. I’m not talking gasping-for-air type of worked, but I’m also not talking ridiculously easy wondering what to do next to burn all my energy off. Somehow, barre3 fit right into the middle, leaving me feeling energized and worked in all the right places. Those little stabilizers in your hips that are absolutely CRUCIAL to running: B3 has strengthened those. Those hip flexers that are necessary for ski touring uphill: B3 has helped develop those as well. And those small muscles crucial to healthy knee movement when pedaling a mountain bike uphill: B3 somehow manages to get those as well. It’s incredible to have a community through barre3 that helps me in person and online keep my body healthy and working toward my athletic goals in mountain sports.
B3 MAGAZINE: Has the mindfulness aspect of barre3 had any effect on your performance?
ROBIN: I like to start and finish every day with a few deep and intentional breaths—it helps me open and close the day with gratitude. Barre3 has a similar effect with the opening and closing of every class, which has had no doubt a super-positive impact on my performance—in my athletic pursuits, but also in my day-to-day life. It’s truly a holistic and sustainable approach to fitness, and I notice an increased capacity to remain mindful throughout my day/week with a regular barre3 practice. Paying attention to every single movement during the barre3 workout and appreciating the burn has brought about increased patience with myself and others, and gratitude for wherever the day takes me.
B3 MAGAZINE: What’s next for you, sports/competition-wise?
ROBIN: I am running the TransRockies Stage Race in Colorado this August, which includes the option to do a three- or six-day race for a total of either 60 or 120 miles. It’s going to be a few days of lots of vertical gain, miles, and gorgeous mountain views. I’m also planning on running the Race the Wolf 50K SkyRace in Schweitzer, Idaho, in a few weeks, and then I have a couple of mountain-bike races planned throughout the summer.
B3 Magazine: That’s a packed schedule!
ROBIN: All in all, it’s a balance. My challenge is to remember to say no, and to listen to my body so I don’t overdo it. Barre3 brings a sense of balance into my life—almost like an invitation to take a minute to remember what’s important, to give myself love and appreciation, and to share these good things with a community.
I think it’s important to note that I’m not a professional athlete or social media influencer by trade. I may be chasing some running and biking goals down the road, but I also hold an office job in marketing, where I sit at a desk Monday through Friday. My point is, I may not get out for the epic 15-miler I had planned on a Tuesday after work, or the weather may turn and our weekend trip may have to wait. Life happens, and barre3 helps me remember there are other ways to slow down and give my body time to either recover or exercise in different ways. Barre3 is the perfect complement to my active lifestyle.
A native of the Pacific Northwest, Robin moved from the city to the mountains to pursue mountain running and biking—and, as it turned out, a career in marketing at Hydro Flask. She lives with her boyfriend, Ren, in Bend, Oregon, where she aims to share the joys of mindful, human-powered play in the mountains with her community. You can learn more about Robin here, and follow her outdoor pursuits here.
Inspired by Robin’s story? Start your own barre3 journey by finding your local studio or signing up for a 15-day free trial of barre3 online!
Inset photo by Max Rhulen (@maxrhulen)
