Tell us a little bit about yourself (Background, Motivations & achievements you’re proud of)
We were both born and raised in Germany but lived in America for several years, where we met and became friends. Esther worked as an attorney, while Katharina was a marketing manager in New York, before we got into barre exercises. We had been dreaming of owning our own business and eventually seized the opportunity to do just that by opening BARREtoned in London.
How did you get into Barre Fitness and teaching it? How would you describe your personal teaching/instruction style?
We took barre classes in New York and Chicago and quickly fell in love with the method and its effect on our bodies. We wanted to share our passion with others, so decided to train as instructors. It’s very important to us to get our students into the correct form, so that they feel the exercises in the right muscles. Therefore, we call all our students by their first names and adjust them verbally and manually in class. This focus on personal attention makes the class almost a bit like personal training in a group. We get an immense amount of satisfaction from encouraging and pushing our students to their limits and seeing their bodies transform.
What would you say to someone who has never tried Barre Fitness?
It’s the most effective, fastest and fun way to change your body. It’s an intense, one-hour workout at the ballet barre, which works every muscle group. Do this regularly and you will build up lean muscle mass and reduce your body fat significantly. No additional cardio or running is necessary. Most people get addicted after only a few sessions…
What is the typical profile of people who come to train at BarreToned? What is the usual feedback from the people who come to train here?
It varies. Some clients come to us because they have not exercised in years and want to get fit again. Others are total “gym rats” and are looking for a new challenge. We also get former dancers who want to find out what BARREtoned is all about….
First time clients typically tell us that it’s a really tough workout and that they worked muscles they never knew they had. They feel a warm and tingly feeling in their muscles afterwards, which gives them energy for the rest of the day and makes them come back for more...
What change will people start to see after, say, 8 classes?
After 8 classes, some clients notice more sculpted arms already, as we do specific exercises for their triceps, which are neglected in other workouts such as yoga or pilates. Many clients find that their posture improves after only a few sessions. In order to see significant changes in your overall body shape, including sculpted abs, lean thighs and a lifted seat, we recommend that you attend class 3 times a week for about a month.
What's the biggest mistake people make when trying to get fit?
Focusing solely on cardio and running, which mostly burns calories but does not change your body as much as resistance training. It is also important to be consistent and set yourself obtainable goals, as it takes a bit of time and discipline to get to where you want to be.
What's your favourite pre and post-workout meal?
In the morning, muesli with yoghurt and fruit is a great source of energy. In between classes, we like to snack on hard-boiled eggs for protein, bananas and apples.
How would you sum up this class in one short sentence?
BARREtoned is a full body workout performed at the ballet barre creating beautifully long, lean and toned muscles.
