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by Alexis Newmark
Senior Editor of Features
The couch-potato days of summer are over and it's time to get back in shape! Before you start up your school-year exercise routine, you should think twice before signing up for a gym membership.
Cardio Barre, originally located in Studio City, has become the newest fitness phenomenon with studio locations currently spanning the Los Angeles area.
Cardio Barre is a unique, high-energy, no-impact exercise class that combines ballet-style barre work and light weights with continual, fat burning motions. This class doesn't just tone one part of your body- it works every aspect of your figure.
Richard Giorla, Founder and Franchise President of Cardio Barre, purchased the Studio City location from a woman who had been holding a barre class there. Giorla was amazed by the concept of working out alongside a ballet barre, since he had previously only used one for dance.
After Giorla bought the business, he created his own class that combines barre work with body building techniques and weight lifting methods.
The first Cardio Barre location opened nine years ago and the franchise has now expanded to Eagle Rock, Hollywood, Santa Clarita, Simi Valley, and Woodland Hills.
Each studio is a wide, open space with dark carpeting surrounded by mirrored walls. The mirrors are in place so you can check your body alignment. There are several ballet barres lined up against the mirrors as well as staggered throughout the center of the room.
"The purpose of using a ballet barre is to help isolate muscle groups, [which] becomes very effective in body sculpting," said Giorla. "When you hold onto a ballet barre, it gives you a sense of balance and a sense of security. "
However, the ballet barre is not the only element that makes this class so unique.
"We also do a bit of floor work and weight work, "said Giorla. "Our class is not just at the barre, it's the ultimate fitness class. Anybody can lift up their leg, anybody can lift up a weight - it's about how far you want to push yourself, how intense you work out."
Giorla's previous fitness and dance experience enabled him to form the one-of-a-kind movements that make up a Cardio Barre class.
"It wasn't an overnight thing. It took ten years for the class to evolve," said Giorla. "I was able to realize, 'Okay this was hurting my back, this was over developing certain body part.' So we would take that movement out and replace it with something else. Some of the movements are a little Jane Fonda, and some a little Tae Bo without the impact. Some are a little ballet. We made the ultimate body-sculpting class with the best moves, and put them all together. "
Clients love the classes because they find Giorla's technique to be both challenging and fun.
"My favorite [part of the class] is the high cardio weight section, " said Cardio Barre client, Sydney Shatsky (11).
While Giorla's unique movements are being executed, upbeat music is being played throughout the studio.
Giorla plays hit songs that have been remixed to fit a fast beat in order to energize and encourage all individuals. He makes this his goal in order to ensure that clients have a fun time while working hard on every part of their body
"I love the energy during class because of the music," said Jenna Marshall (11). "I feel so good after each class.
Cardio Barre offers three different levels of classes: Intro, Beginner, and Advanced. It is strongly recommended that new clients that the Intro class in order to thoroughly understand the sequence of movements and the body positioning involved in each workout.
No matter where you are standing or how many people are in the studio, you will still get the plenty of attention from the instructor.
Instructors constantly monitor the room to make sure every person is on their way to perfecting each move. There is no kicking, punching, or jumping in the class, but clients still manage to burn off about five percent of their body fat within a six to eight week period.
"I care about the people," said Giorla. "It's a team effort, and I love each and every one of my clients. Their success is my success. If they aren't getting the changes and results they want, then I'm not succeeding. I'm very attentive to everybody that walks through the door. I really pay attention to detail. I'm a perfectionist."
Because the country is experiencing tough economic times, Giorla makes sure that the classes remain affordable. Single classes are $16, and you can buy a series to save a little money.
As for the future, the company plans to franchise 100 studios nationally as well as internationally.
"We want to open internationally to let people everywhere experience what we are all experiencing," said Giorla. "Our franchise is all word of mouth- five star service and a clean studio. There is a lot of competition right now. You need to have something special, an edge. It think we have really raised and set the bar for fitness."