Ilana — I decided to make a change in my life, I could barely look in the mirror, in fact I think I can safely say, I chose to NOT look in the mirror. When I did, it was with a blank stare, and an unclear picture of what I saw. In fact, more of what I was seeing was in my head rather than my reflection. November 2009 was when I hit rock bottom (again)… I had outgrown all my clothing and even my ‘fat’ clothes that were supposed to be temporary were - tight. Ironically, I think rock bottom should have been the summer of 2009, but I was choosing to ignore myself, my inner voice and my distorted reflection was a part of how I got to where I was. See Ilana's story›
Jeanette — Merci. Grazie. Arigato. Gracias. Thank you! There are not enough words to express the gratitude I feel for Bev, Maika and Luke and the difference they have made in my life. Bev has said so many times: “you hate me now but you will love me later.” She knows what she is talking about. See Jeanette's story›
Melissa — I had no idea that a single workout could be so fulfilling. Not just physically, but mentally, spiritually and emotionally. All wrapped up in a perfect hour. I've always had to work out hard to maintain my weight (thank you genetics). Prior to doing Bar Method, I was filling my week with intense workouts including boot camp, extreme ski and sport conditioning, workouts with a personal trainer and running. With that as my history, I was challenged to understand how a class that predominantly uses "one inch movements" could have the kind of impact on my body that I had grown to rely on through my high impact workouts. See Melissa's story›
Samantha — When Bar Method opened a studio two doors down from my office, I thought “How convenient! Maybe this will force me to work out more!” I had no concept of how addicted I was about to become. See Samantha's story›
David — I started going to Bar Method at Redmond Town Center about 3 months ago to improve my flexibility for bicycling and my posture for horse riding. I had pretty modest goals since like many men I have never touched my toes as an adult and don't even remember being able to do it as a child. See David's story›
Zoe —"Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" - The song by Daft Punk says it all: my body is harder, better, faster and stronger after 9 amazing months on Bar Method. See Zoe's story›
Cate — There are so many ways to evaluate the Transformation Challenge and the impact that Bar Method has had for me. When I sit down to write it, it's actually difficult to put into words. The phrase that keeps coming to mind is "life-changing." It sounds overly dramatic, but for someone who was never a regular exerciser for any sustained period of time, and who walked nervously in the door woefully out of shape, it honestly has been just that. See Cate's story›
Nancy — One of the reasons I originally was so excited to find the Bar Method, was my growing concern that the older I got, the less strength and flexibility I had. I could only envision that commercial on TV where the lady is on the floor yelling “Help I’ve fallen and I can’t get up”. See Nancy's story›
Kalle — Working out’s never really been my “thing.” Eating healthy – yeah, not so much. And, yeah I know, everyone “hates” me. I have been blessed with fantastic genetics. However, looks can be deceiving. While I have an incredibly thin, fit looking family almost every single person has high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and high triglycerides. Maybe this should have been a motivating factor to “get in shape” over the past 27 years but that is mighty difficult especially when you have a mother who just called 10 minutes ago to see if you wanted her to bring over a Number 1 from McDonalds (mmmmm…Big Mac). I said “No” if that makes you feel better. See Kalle's story›
Dina — I took my first bar method class in Sept. of 2009. Prior to trying Bar Method, I had been a member at a gym near home/work and, for the past few of years, had gone off and on 2-4 times/wk with long breaks here and there. I would constantly need to motivate myself to get to the gym, like the chore it often was. I have always been fairly fit, but never very motivated to take my fitness to the next level. For example, I would get into running for a month or 2 before a vacation, and then not run again for 6 months. I did hot yoga for a couple months, but then got bored and saw no change in my body. Every class, or gym, or personal training appt I have done has ended after about 3 months. See Dina's story›
Debbie — Halfway through this competition, I decided to let up on my obsession with numbers and goals. This was not a decision I took lightly, as I am usually very goal-driven – often to the point of excess.... Opting to let go of some of these tendencies was no easy feat. In fact, it was downright difficult! But, I wanted to try something different, a new approach, so I made the conscious choice to focus my energy on other types of “measurements.” As a result, I became more aware of how I felt, both physically and mentally. See Debbie's story›
AnnMarie — My Lesson. No life is without struggle. However, it is within the “constant” and the “being” that we overcome our struggles and grow stronger from them. This is my lesson. See AnnMarie's story›
Sandy — If someone told me five months ago, I would be driving an hour out of my way to
work out five days a week, I would have said “You’re crazy, I don’t think so. I can get a
great workout walking or jogging the 2.5 miles around the lake where I live.” See Sandy's story›
Rachel — To understand how much The Bar Method has done for me, I have to take you to my 3rd grade Presidential Physical Fitness Test. All of my classmates and I are being tested on our strength, endurance, and—gulp!—Flexibility. I pass the first few tests with flying colors and then I am faced with the sit and reach test to assess my flexibility. In all eight years of my life at this point, I have never passed the flexibility portion of the test. See Rachel's story›
Marianne — Ok...Six days a week I am greeted by: “Good Morning Sunshine.” I enter into the spa-like environment where Luke, Bev and Maika rule. The Bar Method in Redmond Town Center is spotlessly clean and welcoming, and about an hour or so later I am waived goodbye with a smile and a “have a nice day.” My results in the 4 month long challenge are not so much measurable in inches and pounds...because how can one measure the inner growth I have felt? I realize that I can push myself harder, go even deeper and that an inch can indeed be quite a challenge. See Marianne's story›
Mary Ann — My daughter Christine resides in California with her husband, two small children and lives a very active life. After enjoying the results of the ‘Bar Method life style’ for two years and calling me constantly to talk about the positive effects it has had on her body, mind and attitude, she challenged me to do the same. See Mary Ann's story›
Jen — Admittedly, I believe I began the Bar Method Fitness Challenge from a slightly different angle than most; I had recently learned that I was pregnant. I entered the Fitness Challenge with my primary goal being to have a healthy pregnancy. I wanted to maintain muscle tone, build overall strength and gain greater flexibility – especially in my hamstrings and hip flexor muscles. I also wanted to shift my diet somewhat to ensure I was eating a lot of greens and good, natural (monounsaturated / polyunsaturated) fats. To keep the focus in the right place, it was recommended we take periodic photos of my belly instead of measurements. I loved the idea and was in! See Jen's story›
Theresa — The Bar Method has given me something to look forward to. I have been struggling with clinical depression for 15 years. I have a hard time sticking with anything for any length of time. If someone would have told me 6 months ago I would be driving in to Redmond almost every morning to exercise, I would have seriously laughed. But now I do it, and I look forward to it. If I don't go to class, I miss it. See Theresa's story› |
