This is a paid piece from Barre3 Sioux Falls.

Simplified: Hey! Megan here. It’s not often I insert myself into a story, but Barre3 has been such a big part of my life over the last six years that I can’t help but share my own personal experience of finding balance, resilience and community through intentional movement – especially as Barre3 Sioux Falls celebrates its ninth birthday this month.

Tell me more

I first started going to Barre3 during their birthday week in 2019, and, like any new thing, I was pretty nervous going in. I've never been what you'd call "athletic," so gym environments are intimidating.

  • But everyone at Barre3 is extremely welcoming and positive, and from the moment I walked through the doors, I felt at ease.

Barre3 has not only left me feeling stronger physically, but also more resilient mentally.

I have a vivid memory of a day in late September 2019 when I was waiting for my husband to get back from a weekend trip so I could tell him the good news: I was pregnant with our (now 5-year-old) daughter.

  • I couldn't keep still, so I decided to go to the Sunday afternoon Barre3 class, and I remember feeling so strong knowing that not only was my body doing these moves and exercises, but it was also growing a baby.
  • At the end of class, during the regular time of mindfulness, I remember laying on my mat, hands on my belly, breathing deeply and feeling nothing but gratitude for the body I've been given.

Those workouts kept me sane during my pregnancy, and when I was in what turned out to be a very long labor, I could hear different Barre3 instructors in my head saying affirming things they say in classes:

"You can do hard things. Your body was made for this. This feeling is temporary. You are strong."

Later, during the pandemic, doing virtual workouts gave me a way to feel a sense of community and camaraderie during lockdown.

And today, I can usually track my mental health to the last time I took a Barre3 class or moved my body intentionally. If I haven't been in-studio for awhile, I get kinda crabby or feel down on myself. But going back always feel like a homecoming.

So, what makes Barre3 different?

So many things.

First, there's the classes themselves. Barre3's studio doesn't feel like a gym, but the movements do feel like a workout. I've been going at varying degrees of frequency for the last six years, and the classes always leave me feeling stronger (and even sore – who knew your body had so many muscles to work??).

  • I've been asked before if I get bored taking the same classes over and over, and the truth is, not at all. Because they're not the same classes over and over.
  • Each instructor has their unique style, and even when moves are repeated from one class to another, I find myself learning new techniques or working new parts of my body each time.

Barre3 is also always evolving its classes and offerings. The (relatively) new strength and cardio classes have been a great way to test new types of focused movements and do the type of work that'll help my body as I age.

Barre3 is also more than a workout, it's a community. There's quite a few people who go consistently to Barre3 classes, but whether you're in your first class or 1000th, there's going to be someone friendly to chat with (or commiserate with when the moves get hard).

One of the most significant differences about Barre3 is how instructors encourage you to find ways to move that feel good in your body – without any judgment.

  • There have been seasons of my life where I've been full force, heavy weights, ready to go.
  • There have also been slow, gentle, postpartum seasons where my movements have focused more on healing and regaining strength to do basic tasks.

Through it all, Barre3 has been a consistent, comfortable and just-the-right-amount-of challenging presence in my life.

How do I get started with Barre3?

Your first class is free, and you can learn more here about class times and membership options.

Barre3 will also be offering $5 classes all week July 21-27 as part of their birthday celebrations. You can also join for fun themed classes. Be sure to follow Barre3 Sioux Falls on Facebook and Instagram for the latest.