A couple of weeks ago Steph wrote up a great review of Bar Method classes. I received a few reader requests about the DVDs that are offered by Bar Method. The actual classes run around $35 a piece, so the DVD is a great way to get a nice workout and save some $$.
This week I tried out the Beginner’s DVD, a 37-minute routine for newbies to Bar Method. I didn’t realize until minutes before starting the DVD that I would need a few items. For this workout, you will need a sturdy chair, 2 light weights (2 to 4 pounds each) and a soft strap for stretching. I had a (somewhat) sturdy chair but no weights. The DVD suggests two cans of soup as a substitute, but I didn’t even have that. Luckily I found the next best thing, two bottles of wine! This actually worked perfectly in place of hand weights. I also suggest doing the workout on carpet or getting a yoga mat for comfort.
The DVD is great and you will be able to follow along, even if you’ve never taken a bar class before. Each move is clearly explained, and if you want more info there are special features on the DVD, including a more specific explanation of each move.
The workout takes you through the main muscle groups. After a quick warm up, you move into a couple of movements focused on the same body part. For example, you will do a few moves targeting your quads, then will stretch out the used muscle before moving on to the next body section. This is nice because it gives your body a few seconds to recover along the way; you never get completely exhausted during the workout.
Since I’ve taken Bar classes before, I did feel this workout was a little too easy, but each movement did get my muscles shaking and I was a bit sore the next day. If you do have the Beginner’s DVD and feel like you could use more of a challenge, I’d suggest doing the entire video twice to really get a tough workout in. I hope to do the video a couple of times per week to really see results, and would also be interested in trying out the more advanced DVDs.
As we move into colder months, the DVD is perfect for an at-home workout for only $20.
Have you tried Bar Method DVDs? What is your favorite workout DVD?
