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Sandy's Story:

How the Bar Has Transformed Me:

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.” I was also taking Pilates and Zumba classes on a daily basis from my good friend and was pleased with the results. I enjoy Pilates because of the stretching and the core strengthening. Plus, no shoes was an added bonus.

Knowing how much I like Pilates, Dina invited me to a Bar Method class in November. I wasn’t sure if I could justify the distance and cost. Like I said, I was seeing results with the local Pilates and Zumba classes and a change in diet. After the first class, I was sold. The Bar Method is Pilates on steroids. The class was demanding both physically and mentally.

Knowing that the “shaking” is the goal was an interesting concept to accept. I smile when Bev or Maika say, “Nice shaking, Sandy.” Who would have thought? Overcoming the mental wall is probably the toughest part of the Bar Method. Yes, it is physically challenging. However, I have to stay focused mentally to have good form and get the best workout. When my thoughts stray, Bev, Maika, or Pam are there to bring me back to the moment. Getting called out or adjusted is wonderful and shows me how much our instructors care. Ensuring I am in the best form possible will help me get stronger and prevent injuries.

I have to push myself to do more. Get lower, tuck more, and squeeze tighter. Oh, there is so much to remember. That is what makes the Bar Method a great workout for me. Everyday is different. I had to realize that some days my body will not move as much as other days. Even though, some days I am mentally off, by the end of class, I feel better both physically and mentally.

Being a high school math teacher, I have been able to incorporate some of the teaching styles from Bev and Maika into my classroom. Knowing how many tucks, squeezes, lifts, or reps were left is a huge mental boost and allows me to try harder and not hold back. Bev, Maika, and Pam’s voice inflection is also critical to my mental state.When their tone and pace changes, I can tell that we are almost done or going to change. Experiencing what it does for me, I try to remember and tell my students what is coming up. As a result of the Bar Method, I am also changing my approach to homework by correcting my students sooner rather than later. We don’t want to train our minds to do things incorrectly. Be it a physical position in proper form or solving a math equation.

Walking into the studio is a great experience because Luke is always there to greet me by name. At my high school, we are making an effort to greet each student by name as they enter our rooms. Standing in the hallway during passing periods and greeting the students has had a positive impact. Students say they feel safer and more appreciated because the teachers are acknowledging them. Experiencing this first hand at the Bar Method, I can relate to my students comments. Again, the Bar Method provides
not only a great physical and mental workout but a chance to reflect on my teaching and my learning styles.

I find myself arranging social events around my workouts. I have been going four to five days a week since I started five months ago. I am excited about summer when I can go six days a week. I don’t recall ever sticking with an exercise program this long at this intensity.

For me the mental transformation I have experienced from the Bar Method has been more exciting than the physical changes. Having to stay focused is difficult for me and the Bar Method requires it. I started doing Pilates and Zumba daily last June and changed my diet in August. I started the Bar Method in December. Between August and December, I dropped a dress size.

The physical and mental strength I have gained is unbelievable. My upper body is getting sculpted, and I enjoy wearing short sleeve shirts to show off my arms. My husband is amazed at how my arms and stomach have toned up. I am asked repeatedly how much weight I have lost and told how great I look. The difference in my weight taken at the hydrostatic testing in January and May showed a loss of two pounds. My body fat index was 22.6% in January and 22.5% in May. Not a big change but everything
takes time.

My friend and coworker, Dea asked what I was doing to melt away. She now is as devoted to the Bar Method as I am. She tells me that for the first time in years she has hope that her body can change. In three months she has lost 2 inches around her waist and her arms have definition.

I see bigger changes that aren’t measured on a scale or with a tape measurer. The cellulite on the back of my arms is gone and greatly reduced on my thighs. My clothes fit much better. It has been fun buying new clothes in smaller sizes. I am also excited to workout and push myself both physically and mentally. I don’t recall doing an exercise program that required me mentally to stay in it. That may be why I have been able to stick with the Bar Method and look forward to the next class.

The Bar Method gives me the opportunity to focus on me and no one else during the hour class. I have to tune out everything else. By the time class is over, if something was bothering me, it seemed less important or critical than before the class.

I am so thankful that Dina introduced me to the Bar Method and that my husband supports me. Without it, making class everyday would be difficult. I drop our daughter off at his work, and they go home together. I also feel fortunate to have great instructors that chose to take a chance and opened their studio in Redmond. Sure, it requires me to drive a little bit farther, prioritize my time, and stay focused. But, I am worth it.

Thanks Bev, Maika, Luke, and Pam!

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