Happy Hour at the Barre

     Lift. Tone. Burn.  This is the mantra of the latest workout sensation known as Pure Barre.   Located on Cochran Road in Mt. Lebanon, Pure Barre is an innovative combination of ballet, yoga, and Pilates that promises to do all of the above for the areas of the body with which most women are concerned, areas like the thighs, seat, and back of arms.

Owner Melissa Evancic was introduced to the Pure Barre method while working in Raleigh, North Carolina.  She recognized there was nothing like it offered in Pittsburgh and set out to open a Pure Barre facility here.  Echoing Evancic on the uniqueness of the workout is instructor and Nevillewood resident Becca Wasson.  “It is totally different from anything I have ever taught.  And I have been teaching for over twenty years!” says Wasson.

     The technique isolates small muscle groups until fatigue and then follows with a stretch to lengthen and tone.  Hour long classes are fast paced; participants move from the floor to the barre and back again, and movements can involve light weights, resistance bands and balls. Class begins with the lights bright and ends with them dim during a final stretch. There is less talking from the instructor than one may be used to; class is more about focusing on and getting lost in the movements and the music. “It’s your time and your workout.  I am just there as a guide,” says Wasson.

     Although some of the technique is based on ballet, do not expect any classical music here!  The music is high energy and motivating.  And while lifting and toning may be the goals of many women, they should not let the burn scare them away from this type of workout.  It is a technique designed for all fitness levels.  “If you can hold on to the barre, you can take class,” says Evancic. 

In addition to offering classes, Pure Barre Mt. Lebanon also has a dedicated retail space.  They carry the exclusive Splits 59 and Karma clothing lines.  Wasson is a Fit Pro for the Splits 59 company.  Both lines offer chic workout apparel designed to transition from the barre to everyday life. “You can go straight from your workout to running errands,” says Wasson.
     With all of the lifting, toning, and burning, some participants can see results in as few as ten classes.  Another Pure Barre instructor mentioned she has a pair of pants that have never fit like they do now that she has begun regular Pure Barre sessions! But more than just a great workout and stylish workout wear, Evancic, Wasson and the rest of the Pure Barre team want to create a sense of community for women.  “Women are always looking for something to target areas like the seat and the thighs,” says Evancic, “but I also think that they are seeking to be around like minded women.  I hope to form a community of individuals focused on health and wellness.”

     If you are ready to lift, tone, and burn, check out Pure Barre in Mt. Lebanon.  The first class is always free, new classes are being added all of the time, and online scheduling makes it convenient to reserve a space in class.  Visit their website at purebarre.com or contact the Mt. Lebanon location at 412-248-2424.

Running Royalty

      Before any big competition, most marathon runners go through a checklist of race day necessities to make sure they are prepared at the starting line.  Running shorts?  Check.  Double-knotted shoelaces?  Check.  Bib number?  Check.  Tiara and tutu?  Check!   Unconventional accessories for most runners, a tiara and tutu were must-haves for Nevillewood residents Sue Harford, Pat Hartman, and Janice States when they ran the Walt Disney World Princess Half Marathon in Orlando, Florida in February.  And for these VIPs (Very Important Princesses), the experience was filled with the magic Disney is famous for.

     “I was just so happy and excited,” said States. “My favorite part was being in the start corrals with all of the ladies and Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother counting us down.  Ooh!  And the fireworks!”

For the fifth year, the Princess Half Marathon celebrated women runners and helped athletes of all ages find their “inner princesses.”  After a start that included fireworks and music, the course wound through the resort’s Magic Kingdom and EPCOT Center theme parks, giving runners an enchanting experience as they pounded through the 13.1 miles.  Famous Disney characters were stationed along the course ready for photo-ops, and a gospel choir gave runners some much-needed oomph during the last mile.  Most of the 36,000 runners chose to wear costumes.  “There were tutus everywhere!” exclaimed Hartman.

     While gospel choirs and fireworks may have helped to ease the challenge of a distance run, motivation and preparation began long before race day.   Hartman and States trained together, at first running just a mile or two at a time.  According to Hartman, “We were thinking, 13.1 miles?  No way!”  But after completing a few 10-mile runs and with some encouragement from her husband Darren, Hartman registered for the race.  Harford began running a few years ago when a friend asked her to be a part of a marathon relay team and has run six half marathons and one full marathon since. For her, training for the Princess Half Marathon included running about 25 miles per week.

     After months of preparation (and a night of beauty sleep), the three princesses made their way to the starting line at three o’clock in the morning.  “That was my least favorite part,” said Harford, “but we fed off of the energy of the crowd.”  Running through Cinderella’s Castle in the Magic Kingdom was something that all of the ladies will never forget.  “It was a truly magical, uplifting experience,” said Harford.  States mentioned that there was a few miles without a lot of fanfare, but  “when I saw the sign that said ‘EPCOT next right,’ I knew I could finish.”

     Pink, tiara shaped medals awaited the ladies at the finish line, “crown jewels” for a job well done.  Hartman and States were proud to have finished their first big race.  “I started to tear up a little at mile 11; I knew I was going to do it,” said Hartman of her emotional finish.  Harford finished with a personal record, her best finish time yet. 

     While the tutus and tiaras may be put away, these princesses are keeping their running shoes on! Each of the women has plans to run more races. Harford will be running the full Pittsburgh Marathon in May and coaches for the Girls on the Run organization. States and Hartman are on relay teams for the Pittsburgh Marathon and want to run Disney’s Wine and Dine Marathon in November during EPCOT’s Wine and Food festival.  “A wine and dine half marathon,” said Hartman, “Now doesn’t THAT sound like fun!”  Better add a bejeweled goblet to the checklist!