(MyFoxTampaBay) - South Tampa is known for its bars, but there's a different kind of "barre" that's taking over this hip side of town. Barre fitness classes are popping up all over the Tampa Bay area. The modern workout style brings you ballet with a burn.
"I started ballet when I was 4 years old, until I was 21," explained student Jennifer Wolf, who has been taking Barre classes for the past three months.
Unlike her usual ballet dance classes, this is a sweat fest.
Denise Tini is the owner of the newly opened Barre Fitness studio on Manhattan Avenue in South Tampa.
"It's a really good work out, core focused, but a full body workout within one hour," she explained.
Denise literally keeps her students on their toes.
"A lot of times it looks like they're praying, like, ‘let me get through this,'" she said.
However, her "no holds barred" approach to fitness keeps them coming back for more.
"I feel the shakes still but tomorrow, I'm gonna feel sore and it's one of the best feelings ever," said Allie Pryd, whose been taking the classes for a year and loves the results.
"Not only have I noticed it myself, but the people around me say how much leaner I look. They've never seen my legs so defined and I've got a wedding coming up, so I'm just trying to fine tune everything," she said.
In a room full of women, Austin Lerner isn't afraid to give the Barre class a twirl.
"No, I think if I was in a tutu or something, if I was, like, in character, it would probably be a little weird," he said.
However, all jokes aside, there were no laughs as he endured the long and grueling class.
"After doing them for 30 seconds or a minute, it feels like eternity," he said.
Beginners aren't barred from this class either. In fact, everyone is encouraged to go at their own pace.
"It works every part of your body completely, but I especially like it because it's easy on my joints," Jennifer said.
While it is hard work, the participants say that they see results in no time at all.
Denise said, "I've had people taking this boot camp class, within a span of just eight classes have lost eight pounds."
Allie's fiance has certainly noticed the difference.
"Oh, he's very happy!" she said with a big smile.
She's sold that it's one of the best new workout trends to hit the Bay area, hands down, bar none.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:28 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:28:40 GMT
Melanoma is considered the deadliest form of skin cancer. A veteran dermatologist says he used to see three to five melanomas a year. Now, he says, he sees that many in a week!
Melanoma is considered the deadliest form of skin cancer. A veteran dermatologist says he used to see three to five melanomas a year. Now, he says, he sees that many in a week!
Thursday, May 16 2013 11:00 PM EDT2013-05-17 03:00:47 GMT
A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows millions of American kids suffer from mental health problems. Experts believe as many as 20 percent of American children are affected.
A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows millions of American kids suffer from mental health problems. Experts believe as many as 20 percent of American children are affected.
Thursday, May 16 2013 12:02 AM EDT2013-05-16 04:02:20 GMT
Hundreds of American troops have lost a leg or arm in Afghanistan because of improvised explosive devices or homemade bombs.
Hundreds of American troops have lost a leg or arm in Afghanistan because of improvised explosive devices or homemade bombs. It was 29-year-old John Kremer's job to find those hidden bombs, and safely destroy them. That's what the Buford man was trying to do, when one of them exploded right under his feet.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 6:42 PM EDT2013-05-15 22:42:54 GMT
"You're fired!" Those are two words you never want to hear from anyone, especially your own doctor. But that can happen when patients and physicians don't see eye-to-eye.
"You're fired!" Those are two words you never want to hear from anyone, especially your own doctor. But that can happen when patients and physicians don't see eye-to-eye.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 7:48 AM EDT2013-05-14 11:48:46 GMT
There are more than 31 million Americans enrolled in Medicare Part D. And according to a recent survey, more than a third are worried about prescription drug costs.
There are more than 31 million Americans enrolled in Medicare Part D. And according to a recent survey, more than a third are worried about prescription drug costs.
Monday, May 13 2013 6:08 PM EDT2013-05-13 22:08:35 GMT
It was a risky delivery: a young mother who'd lost one baby at birth was delivering her second child by C-section.
It was a risky delivery: a young mother who'd lost one baby at birth was delivering her second child by C-section. She was surrounded by more than a dozen specialists and nurses. But this high stakes birth wasn't in a hospital operating room. It was at Zoo Atlanta.
FOX 13 / WTVT-TV 3213 West Kennedy Blvd. Tampa, Florida 33609 Main: (813) 876-1313 Newsroom: (813) 870-9630 Fax: (813) 871-3135
