Jennifer Jackson
Assistant Editor
Xtend Barre studio in La Verne offers classes that fuse elements of dance, ballet and pilates to create a workout that tones and strengthens the body.
On Monday, I attended a 55-minute Xtend Barre class.
Upon entering, I met the owner, Cara Hipwell. She was helpful and introduced me to the instructor, Bethany Thompson.
I had fun while also working my core and building flexibility. Many of the moves made me feel like a ballerina.
The workout was non-stop and used the barre, a resistance band and a mat.
Although Thompson corrected my form during certain workout positions, it was easy to follow along with the workout moves.
Thompson has been instructing barre classes since July 2014, with previous experience as a ballet and pilates instructor.
“It’s a form of dance and gives an amazing workout,” Thompson said. “It’s fun and the atmosphere is great. It’s feminine so you feel like a woman while working out.”
The class had a dozen other women who were regular clients.
“I grew up dancing and I was looking for an adult dance class or something that gave me that outlet and I found it in Xtend Barre,” Beth Hartnett, a regular client of Xtend Barre, said.
Hartnett has been coming to Xtend for more than a year and a half and has taken various classes, such as piloxing, which is a fusion of kickboxing and pilates, and stick fusion.
“I try all instructors’ classes,” Hartnett said. “I try to switch it up because they all offer different workouts so your body can’t get used to just one class here; it keeps it interesting.”
I met ULV alumna Daniela Kent who has been coming to Xtend for more than a year.
“I love how it gets me back in touch with dance – the lengthening of the muscles and appreciation of the art form,” Kent said.
She added the classes also allow her to get back in touch with core movements like toning, have been helpful after having a baby.
“In terms of strengthening or toning, they (the classes) all accomplish it; they’re excellent at getting it done in 55 minutes,” Kent said.
I definitely want to attend more classes at Xtend Barre. I left feeling good about myself and my body.
There was not anything I disliked about the barre class, even though my legs felt like jelly at the end of the 55-minute barre session.
These classes will give results.
Jennifer Jackson can be reached at jennifer.jackson2@laverne.edu.
