KCOP
11 O'clock News, November, 2003

BETTER BODY

It will flatten your abs and pick up your derriere: One of the newest killer workouts in LA. Better Body Now with how bellying up to the bar could help you get ripped.

It lifts, stretches, strengthens and stabilizes. “It’s everything.” (Michael Lowery) Competitive rower Michael Lowery has tried tons of workouts, but this: “It’s the most challenging exercise I’ve done.” It’s called the Bar Method.

“We use the ballet bar in every exercise we do.” (Bar Method instructor)

But no tutus here. This is hard core. Studio owner Mimi Fleischman says men do it to get a tighter, camera-ready look. As for women: “..gives you slimmer hips, lifted seat, flat abs, and beautiful arms.” (Mimi)

The class combines elements of dance, yoga, pilates and endurance training. So muscles are strengthened and lengthened. Lengthening begins on the stall bar.

Then the real bar workout begins: “down-two, up-two” (bar method instructor). For quads and glutes: plies and squishy-ball squats. “Let it shake!” (instructor)

To prevent over-bulking, next comes a stretch…

Class lasts an hour, and there’s plenty of pain. But if you stick with the plan, eventually you’ll go from bulky and broad to that Bar Method look.

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