Page 7 - Valley Life & Health

THE MORNING CALL SATURDAY, MAY 25, 2019 7

Barreform Photo courtesy of Barreform

makesthefitnessexperienceallinclusive By Shannon Sigafoos of The Morning Call

outique gym classes have gained quite a was looking for a place where she could do the the duration of the class, which is 50 minutes
following in the last several years, becoming Megaformer, barre, cycling and resistance training on average. The regular Megaformer class is
B the preferred choice for anyone wanting workouts she had become accustomed to. Some offered at different times every day of the
to mix up their fitness regime and stay motivated area studios only offered one or the other, and week (including night classes to accommodate
without the same old treadmill-and-barbells slog none offered the Megaformer. participants’ varied work schedules), and a few
that chain fitness clubs offer. “I need variety; it keeps me challenged and hybrid classes also combine Megaformer &
About every seven years, the fitness industry prevents boredom. Here in the Valley, we saw indoor cycling, or Megaformer and high-intensity
sees a major shift in trends. So how is it that an opportunity to provide that type of variety interval training (HIIT) for when you really want
boutique studios have managed to remain so by bringing several different workouts into one to break a sweat. All classes can be booked
popular? It’s likely because boutique classes are location,” she says. directly on barreform.com.
high-quality, engaging, and they get results. There’s In the studio’s front room that looks out onto Two years on, the studio sees a good mix of
also the camaraderie of enduring the same a bustling, revitalized Southside, she mentions both beginners and experienced users, and as an
experience as the rest of your small, niche group. how the lights are turned down, music is turned instructor, Hendrycks embraces the opportunity
What you’ll find at Barreform – located on up and candles are lit for their indoor cycling to help them learn – from herself and from
W. 4th St. in Bethlehem – is an independently classes – providing a unique and less intimidating each other – because no matter if it is your first
owned facility founded upon a vision of providing atmosphere for those who may feel self- or 101st class, everybody is working at their
a variety of unique and alternative fitness options conscious about trying the workout. The bikes maximum effort.
that are both fun and effective, in a supportive can also be easily moved to accommodate boot “That’s the beauty of it,” she says. “When
and social atmosphere that asks you to check camp, barre and TRX suspension training classes. you do it for the first time, it’s pretty awkward.
your insecurities and judgement at the door. Barreform is also the only location within You’re moving in very simple, functional ways,
How much do clients love the experience? 66 miles that offers the Lagree Fitness™ but it’s challenging because you’ve never done
They leave their hearts at the studio – literally. Megaformer machines to enthusiastic converts. anything like it before with resistance like this, or
“After about nine months, I started tracking The workout uses the low-impact, toning positions, speeds or durations like this. There’s
how many classes individual clients had taken, principles of Pilates and adds resistance to build a lot of balance work that we do, and it’s about
and noticed we had a group of people who were and sculpt muscles while increasing endurance. finding where those weaknesses are so you
quickly approaching 100 classes. I wanted to “The Megaformer looks scary, but broken know where you need to focus. It doesn’t get
do something for that, something special,” says down simply, there are two stationary platforms easier; you just get stronger.”
Barreform’s owner, Nora Hendrycks. She points – one at the front and one at the back – and a Though it may sound cliché and has certainly
to the colorful graffiti-style hearts that brighten carriage in the middle that moves between them. been used as a tagline for big-box gyms, the
the front wall of the studio and says, “It kind of The machine utilizes two types of springs that beauty of Barreform is that it truly is a judgment-
just came to me. Our clients spend so much connect the front platform and the carriage – free zone. The idea is that anyone can walk
time with us, it seemed fitting to recognize their yellow springs, which provide eight to 10 pounds in and feel like they belong there and that it
accomplishment by making them a part of the of resistance, and heavier blue springs, which feels natural for them to be there. Over time,
studio. So when anybody hits 100 classes, they get provide 55 to 60 pounds of resistance,” explains the classes become routine and ‘gym friends’
to spray paint their own heart on one of our walls. Hendrycks. “With any combination of those become real friends – and the development
Each heart is as unique and beautiful as they are.” springs, you can create different levels of variable and strengthening of interpersonal relationships
Some devotees who have reached 200 or tension and intensity, and with different positions becomes an added mental health benefit of
300 classes have put heart stickers inside of their on the machine you will be working different exercise along with the feel-good factor of
spray-painted heart – ensuring that they leave muscles. It is definitely a full-body workout, and getting through the classes.
enough space for future clientele the studio is sure with every exercise, if you’re doing it correctly, “It’s intense, and it’s always challenging,”
to have, thanks to its word-of-mouth growth. you’re engaging your core.” says Hendrycks. “But when you finish, and the
When she arrived in the Lehigh Valley Although you move slowly in each exercise, instructor says, ‘3, 2, 1, we’re done,’ you feel like
several years ago – then using the area as a the workout does provide a cardio benefit, you’ve really accomplished something – that gut
weekend escape from Manhattan – Hendrycks keeping your heart rate in the working zone for feeling of ‘Wow, I did it.’ That’s all you.”