When Pure Barre Owensboro opened its studio in spring 2014, it had one main goal — to empower women to find an effective workout that would strengthen them not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well.
Pure Barre offers a variety of classes that cater to each participant regardless of previous exercise or ability level. Part of the unique experience for clients is that they will never take the same class twice.
Although the full-body workout remains the same, instructors focus on designing each class to meet to the clients’ individual needs. The combination of verbal encouragement over the mic, hands-on corrections and fun playlists, makes clients want to come back.
One client is making history this Labor Day by doing just that. Natalie Burdette came back so many times, that she is hitting her 1,000 Pure Barre class. She will become the first person at the Owensboro Pure Barre studio to sign the Barre for reaching this huge milestone. This is surprising given Burdette’s reaction to her first class.
“I said I was never coming back,” she said.
Her friends at the Barre are certainly glad she decided to try another class. Her dedication has inspired many other women to try each of the challenges such as “20 in 31” with the goal to take 21 classes in one month, or the March Madness challenge that carries incentives for earning points for one’s team.
One of Burdette’s biggest supporters is owner Annie McCrary, who is excited to see the 1,000 benchmark hit.
“Pure Barre is a place of celebration. To see the happiness and success of others is nothing less than a small miracle I get to experience daily. Natalie has set the barre high and her success and determination is set in stone for all to follow,” McCrary said.
Some may be intimidated to try their first class. For this reason, all new clients are treated to their first week free, giving them the chance to try several of the different classes that Pure Barre has to offer. Classes include classic, which uses low impact, isometric movements, Empower, a high energy cardio-based class incorporating wrist weights and ankle weights, and the newest class, Reform, utilizing sliders and resistance bands to target the core and upper body.
In just 50 minutes or less, clients work their arms, thighs, seat, and abs. It’s truly a total-body workout. McCrary believes the environment created at Pure Barre is just as important as the workout.
“We are one big family. Supporting each other every day for years past and years to come,” she said.
About the writer: Laura Murphy is an eighth Grade LA teacher at Daviess County Middle School. She has three kids who keep her life interesting: Jonah, Lily, and Josiah. She survives on Grape Spark, Jon Gordon books and all things Grumpy Cat.
