Thrive for Women Expands Barre Class Offerings

EXETER, NH — When Kelley Atlee started teaching Barre classes at Thrive for Women five years ago, she was one of the only local certified instructors teaching the ballet inspired exercise class. Since then, Barre specific studios and classes have multiplied around the Seacoast and beyond as Barre quickly became one of the most popular fitness classes for women seeking to tone up in a low impact and fun group exercise setting. The popularity of Barre classes at Thrive has snowballed over the past five years, with the club offering 12 classes each week Mondays through Saturdays, where their 1,200 square foot studio accommodates up to 30 women, according to Club Director Cindy Govoni.

The demand for Barre is so great that Thrive is preparing to add three additional Barre classes, and an additional instructor, this fall. The gym plans to add a Sunday class as well as a Senior Specific Barre class for those 65 and older looking to improve their balance and core strength.

Barre combines elements of ballet, pilates, yoga and other functional training, using a ballet bar during some of the exercises as well as light hand weights, exercise bands and other equipment to sculpt, strengthen and stretch the entire body. The exercise uses small isometric contractions, using underutilized muscles not usually targeted in traditional strength training.

“Because there’s such a heavy influence of ballet, such as correct posture, correct spinal alignment, it’s safe and that’s really the benefit. We don’t run the risk of injury,” Atlee said. “It can be modified beautifully for all fitness levels, all ages, all levels of flexibility and that’s what I love.”

Women often see visible results quickly when taking several Barre classes a week.

“We’re utilizing muscles that are supporting the larger muscle groups, so you’re going to see a bit more definition than if you were targeting the larger muscle groups alone,” Atlee said.

Atlee, who has been dancing for 40 years, is one of four Barre instructors at Thrive alone with Robin Paglucia, Katy Boyd and Jessica Gutstein. Atlee was a long time student and graduate of the LaPierre School of Dance in Reading, Mass., where she studied ballet, tap, jazz, and lyrical. She was a 1989 graduate of the Dance Teachers Club of Boston and went on to study dance at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Atlee is a certified CORE BARRE™ Fitness instructor, and has also completed a 16 hour course in AIS-Active Isolated Stretching-THE MATTES METHOD~ by Aaron L. Mattes.

She also brings an incredible sense of humor to her classes.

“I want people to know they’re always welcome and I have their best interest at heart. I don’t ever want people to feel self-conscious,” Atlee said. “I want people to be themselves and that’s really why I’m myself.”

Her classes often include laughter and a lot of good natured encouragement.

“We’ve got to laugh,” she said. “I want them to leave feeling good, feeling cleansed emotionally and physically so they can tackle their day.”

Thrive will launch additional Barre classes in September. During September the gym will also offer an introductory special of unlimited Barre classes for 30 days for $65. They will also be running a 30 Day Barre Benefits Challenge later in the fall and women that take at least 15 classes during the challenge will be entered into a drawing for prizes, including free memberships.

While Barre classes can cost as much as $20 to $30 per class at a studio, unlimited fitness classes, including Barre, are included in Thrive’s regular membership fee which ranges from $54 to $64 per month. The gym also offers a drop in class for $15 and a five pass Barre punch card for $75.

About Thrive for Women:

The all-women’s fitness club is located at 75 Portsmouth Avenue in Exeter next to On the Vine Marketplace. In addition to classes, Thrive for Women has a full range of equipment, weight loss programs, an infrared sauna, hydromassage bed and childcare. For more information go to http://thriveforwomen.com or call 603-772-3881.