Corporate wife and fitness buff Kerri Uytengsu has been pumping iron for more than two decades, but she found strength with elongation through Barre3. TV host and Children’s Hour spokesperson Suzie Abrera dropped  two sizes after eight months of doing Barre3. DJ Anne Asis-Carilo is having an easy pregnancy, and takes to Barre3 as her main workout.

Barre3 combines three modalities—ballet barre movements, yoga and Pilates. Its props include two-pound dumbbells, a long strap for support, and a ball to support the back in the floor-work or to squeeze the thighs with. It was developed by fitness guru Sadie Lincoln.

The Philippines beat New York to it by being the first destination outside of  its place of origin in Portland, Oregon, to offer Barre3.

More efficient

Master trainer Joie Viado explains that unlike other barre-based workouts, Barre3 emphasizes posture while maintaining the natural curves of the spine, particularly the correct placement of the pelvis. The clients are reminded to lift their heads  and keep the fingers  relaxed—much like a dancer’s deportment.

Other workouts, including weight resistance,  focus on shortening the muscle for bulk. Barre3, in contrast, emphasizes lengthening the muscles to create one continuous body line.

“We do stretches after each sequence block. We start with an aerobic warm-up—movements to wake up the front, sides,  back and core. The length of the spine is reinforced so when students go to harder exercises, their bodies are ready,” says Viado.

“The harder exercises are the push-up on the barre, the active stretches, and the leg work—

squats, pliés, power leg, or working with heels up.  The latter part of the workout is devoted to the abs when they’re on the mat. Still, the whole class is pure core work because you’re in your best posture or best alignment possible to execute the exercises.”

Viado points out that Barre3 also emphasizes functional training. “Whatever you learn in class should translate into daily activities.” The trainer cites the example of when someone calls you from behind. You just don’t strain the neck to look back. The correct way is to turn the  torso, thereby activating the oblique or side muscles and relieving pressure on the neck.

“We want everyone to be more efficient in their function. The aesthetics—tighter buttocks, toned arms—will follow,” says Viado.

For pregnant women

Uytengsu gets her endorphin kick from a Barre3 class. “It’s a mood booster,” she affirms.  Her daily three-hour regimen  includes weight training, TRX or suspension workout, hitting the treadmill, and the elliptical machine. She was a fan of yoga until she injured her wrist. Barre3 became the substitute.

“I like the toning and the balance, which I missed when I was doing yoga,” she says. Uytengsu is challenged by the core strengthening. “You’re standing on one foot, but you need your core muscles to stabilize yourself while  you’re also doing something for your arms.”

Uytengsu adds that Barre3 workouts adjust to the person’s capacity. “You do it based on your level that day. On some days, you feel very good and you can challenge yourself. Sometimes, something is hurting or you don’t feel that great, but you can still do it and get the benefits.”

The best part is that with the calories she burns every day,  she can have more restaurant options when she’s dating her husband, Fred Uytengsu, president of Alaska and a triathlete.

Carilo, a disc jockey and  Wave 89.1 assistant station manager, has also been active with her workouts, consisting of weights, circuit training and indoor spinning. Over a year ago, she wanted a program that would improve her poise and stretch her muscles so that she doesn’t look bulky.

“I saw the  Barre3 website. I wanted to get the illusion of length.” Seven months on the family way, she’s been focusing on Barre3, she says.

Expecting her first baby, Carilo has never experienced morning sickness or bloating. “Before I got pregnant, I already  got the benefits of Barre3. I became more flexible and stronger. My back is stronger. I feel longer. They say pregnant women get tired and breathless easily. I don’t.”

Viado adds: “For pregnant women, the exercises help them counteract the slump and we make them aware of proper weight distribution.”

Weight loss

Meanwhile, Abrera lost more than 15 lbs through diet and exercise. She had already shed some pounds while training for a triathlon. However,  she would load up on carbs and was still conscious of her flabby midsection.

She was inspired to  work with Christine Jacob-Sandejas, who brought her own low-calorie meals to the set. Abrera followed the example.

She went on to take Barre3 thrice a week. “It uses your body weight for resistance, and it has a lot of stretches. I lost weight so fast. My goal is to get a flat stomach,” she says.

In less than a year, she dropped from size 8 to 6. “If I get any smaller than that, my husband will get mad,” says Abrera.

The TV host admits to  slouching. Barre3 increased her body awareness. When she catches her stomach hanging out, she immediately pulls it back in.

The Barre3 studios inspire their clients to take their practice to another level. Last year, it dangled incentives to students who took classes for 26 days (one rest day a week) for a month.

They received gift checks for free classes, services at The Spa, and discounts at Skin Inc. dermatology center.

Barre3 also sweetened the deal for people who took up the 30-day weight loss challenge. It partnered with NUIU, which provided diet plans for people who wanted to combine their workout with healthy eating.

The winner, Kimberly Maronilla,  lost 12 lbs and three-percent body fat.   She was rewarded with an annual membership for Barre3 and The Spa and perks from merchant partners.

“She started out very timid. But after the program, she was so confident,” says Viado.

Barre3 is offered at The Spa at The Fort, Building 8, 908 Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, tel. 4035994,  8565858; The Spa at Rockwell, R2 Level, PowerPlant Mall, Rockwell Center,    Makati City,  tel.  4707878, 4706868; The Spa at Alabang, Lower Ground, Alabang Town Center, Alabang, Muntinlupa City, tel. 8363184,  8503490;   2/F, Eastwood Mall (inside Richmonde Hotel), Eastwood City,   Bagumbayan, Quezon City, tel. 7096868, 7097878.