I’ve hinted at my love for something called The Bar Method on here a few times. (My location is in Boulder but there are locations across the states.) Well, now I want write a full-on love letter to that craziness.
Dear Bar Method,
I’ve been fairly athletic for most of my life playing competitive softball and golf as a kid. Whether or not golf is an athletic endeavor might be debatable, but just go with it. (The golf comment just made my mother scowl and it’s a good thing my father doesn’t read this or he’d disown me for that.) Then I started lifting weights in high school and continued the cardio (gag) and weight-lifting jag on and off over the years. Let’s just say that I can get pretty bulky when I put my mind to it. It’s not all that attractive, really. But I didn’t know what else to do.
Then about four years ago I started working out with a trainer here in Boulder and doing something akin to The Bar Method, but slightly different. This combo surely increased my fitness level and I looked better than I had in many years, but I was back to getting bulky. And when you’re 5’3″ with the shoulder span of a linebacker, bulky is yucky. I also added yoga into the mix at this time and thank god for that or I could have gotten a bit manly.
Then I had a bad car accident and couldn’t do the crazy workouts I had been doing and so I fell into a slump. I did the yoga as best I could, but my body was just weak and beat down. About a year ago I started seeing you, Bar Method, on a regular basis and fell in love. Nothing, I mean nothing, has given me the results you have. Nothing. Is that clear? Nothing.
There’s a reason you have a cult-like following and women clamoring to get to know you better. You make us feel sexy, confident, in control of our bodies and how they look for, maybe, the first time ever. You make us feel proud and strong and capable. Young, old – it doesn’t matter – we’re all captivated. Who wouldn’t be with all the glorious things you bring into our lives?
I love you Bar Method. It’s true. Even when you hurt me, which is often, because the hurt yields such wonderful results and those results tell me you love me back. So thank you for that.
~ Your loyal minion, Annie
My mother is an encyclopedia of useless information (sorry, ma, but it's true) - no one can beat her at Trivial Pursuit. As I age, I become more like dear old mom everyday. I routinely tell people about resources, recipes, tips, tricks, or websites I've heard about, tried, live by, etc. until one of my clients urged me to start a blog. So here it is! My perpetual ramblings. I hope you find them useful and amusing. If you don't, you can either keep it to yourself or leave me a well constructed critique. 
Clare
/ January 31, 2013I couldn’t agree more, Annie! Love seeing you in class.
Annie Brokaw
/ January 31, 2013Hey, Clare! Nice to have a name with the face! And so glad you agree :)