New Triber - and Fall 2012 Artist in Residence - Antonella shares her musings on her recent BariONE.

A funny thing would happen to me when I’d walk into Bari Studio: I’d immediately want to quit smoking, quit my job, do a juice cleanse, and work out for the rest of the day. The funny thing is, this invigoration was entirely energetic; up until two weeks ago, I’d never even taken a class at Bari.

I’m a runner. I don’t do well with schedules, so I work out on my own time. I don’t have to worry about being bored, and I set my own goals. So, when Sara invited me to do my BariONE, I hesitated to commit. I couldn’t even remember the last time I worked out in a studio, but I’ve been working with the brand, and I knew it was time to experience it for myself.

I arrived on a Saturday morning at 9 a.m. to meet Jasmine. I was pretty pissed when I got up that morning, but by the time I walked out onto the streets, I blasted “Save The World (Tonight)” and rode it out all the way to TriBeCa. You’d think I was clubbing, but no, I was on my way to work out. I don’t know what it is about Bari, but I was scared and excited, in the best possible way.

I walked in and there she was - ready to destroy me with a smile on her face. I realized then, that’s what it was about Bari that pumped me up…everyone who works there enjoys this. This workout is a challenge, and when someone dares to show up, they can’t help but smile. With this welcome - and only mildly frightening realization - a warrior had been born.

Jasmine took me into the ladies changing room, where she measured me, calculated my weight, and even the rate of an old friend, my metabolism. Apparently, I burn fuel like a 17 year old. Go figure. With all this information, I prepared for war. Yes, war.

A BariONE is the introductory private class that you are required to take before jumping into class with the rest of the Tribe. I was out of my element here; with running, it’s just one step in front of another - faster and then a little faster. An innate capability to Bari? It doesn’t exist. The BariONE teaches you how to Bari.

As the name would imply, your BariONE is done one-on-one, so I got the trainer, Jasmine, all to myself. This was the part I was most excited about because I’ve been extremely curious to find out if there are certain exercises that I do well, like the plank position. Jasmine went through an array of exercises that woke up muscles that I had not used since my days on the monkey bars. Yes, those babies had been asleep since then, and this class woke them from their heavenly slumber. Jasmine did not apologize, but that’s okay.

There was cardio, which was seemed to combine elements of dance, sports, athletic training - along with some stuff I’d just never seen before. I liked being back in the aerobics mode. It was like listening to an old high school song, and it was fast to get my heart rate up. Then we proceeded to cover the trampoline (not as scary as it looks), the bands (this is fun as hell), and the skimmers (a six pack literally popped out right after class).

I can’t quite verbalize how I felt after the class. Workouts, like these, challenge each of our bodies in a different way and our responses will vary. But I will tell you this - when I left, I walked home, from TriBeCa to Murray Hill. My muscles had not yet given out and my mind was in cruise control. What an amazing workout, but more importantly, what a ridiculous blissful feeling that followed.

So, if there is very little I can promise you about your BariONE - as your experience will probably be different from mine - I can tell you this… After the sweat and the swearing, when the work is done, man, you’re going to have a great fucking day. I promise that to you.