First workout since Friday, and the first barre3 class since two Saturdays ago.

OUCH.

My legs are still two rigid posts from last Friday’s CrossFit squats, and they weren’t too happy today with all of those carousel and ski-slope positions that come with barre3.

The truth is, since I’ve restarted doing barre3, I haven’t completed a single class without repeatedly resetting. (Unlike the first time I tried it, when I was possibly in better shape and, within the first week, could finish a class without resetting.) Resetting means that I can’t hold a position for the entire duration of its set and have to stretch out and relieve the tension in my muscles before getting back to it again. Keep in mind that a set, barre3-style, has about two million reps and is aimed at reducing your body into a quivering mass of jello. It’s anything but easy. Even the instructors get the shakes! And I hate those shakes. They make me feel like I’ve lost control over my body.

To give you an idea of what a barre3 set is like, take the above position and move your seat up an inch and down an inch for, say, 16 counts. Afterwards, without losing the position, move your seat all the way to the floor and stand all the way up for a full range of motion. Do this for another 16 counts. Afterwards, again without losing the position, stay with your seat as close to the floor as possible and pulse it up an inch and down an inch for, say, 16 counts. On the last count, hold the position for 8 seconds. If you’re lucky, that’s the end of that set. If you’re not, the instructor might make you go straight into a carousel position – extend left leg to the back and bend at a 90 degree angle and sink it to the floor, down an inch and up an inch, keeping the front leg as stready as possible; do for 16 counts then switch… (Internet file photo.)

I didn’t feel too well today. Am still working off the damage from the weekend. Too much smoking, drinking and eating, and not enough rest and exercise. Hopefully, I’ll be all better in the morning.

(She said as she turned her thoughts on what to wear tonight for the Magnum party… Doh!)

PS – Am amending the barre3 Checklist to include gloves. That barre can be slippery to hold on to sometimes.