So it’s summertime and you know what that means? It means everyone is hitting the gym and working out for their summer bodies…yet somehow I don’t get the memo. See I am not a real athletic person, I don’t like working out…but I seriously need to.
I was invited to do a complimentary workout class at Exhale Atlanta Avalon, a women’s workout studio that features barre + yoga in the Avalon shopping community of Alpharetta,GA.I attended a Express Core Fusion Barre Class, and let me tell you it was definitely an intense experience!
After our Barres workout class at Haven Collective Yoga at Avalon
So what is Barres you may ask? I never heard of it prior to my invitation but it basically a workout class that is a combo of yoga + ballet. The “barres” is ahandrailplacedathipheight,usedbyadancertomaintainbalanceduringpractice. So basically we incorporate barres in our workout routine…and lets just say I am no ballerina! It’s pretty intense but it’s a different way to workout.
The workout instructor was a beast. Don’t let that smile fool you. She will kick.your.butt! My hour workout with her almost made me leave in tear…but she is amazing actually. She make it looks so easy (and it probably is for her) and she is a great coach too. During my short tenture with her these little workouts did get a little extreme but she was empowering at the same time. I think two more classes with her I would appreciate it better…I’m just a little painsy right now because I don’t work out at all.
Doing some streches before my Barres workout
Getting some assistance with my warms-ups
The assistant was nice in helping me get into formation and helping with my warm ups! I bet her and the instructor were shaking their heads at me…little did they know I probably haven’t seriously worked out in a year. Bad Kiwi…super bad. Look at me stretching…stretching muscles I haven’t felt in a long time. Oh but I did feel them two days later. You all know what post-workout pains feel like. Yeah…it’s time for me to find a workout routine soon!
Cythnia Bailey, Real Housewives of Atlanta star + model, actually hosted this workout session at Exhale Avalon. That was cute of her to participate with some local fitnessitas in the area and mingle! She was here to host the cocktail mixer afterwards!
Clearly they are yoga pros!
Our workout sessions we followed by a refreshment / cocktail hour, with delicious summer drinks by Solbeso. Core Workout + Cocktail…who knew those could go together but they did! I had this refreshing light cocktail made with Solbeso, a distilled spirit made from cacao fruit.
We were also given these new energy drinks to try called Celsius, created by mega mogul Russel Simmons. An energy that helps you actually burn calories while you drink it. Thanks innovative!
Cynthia Bailey with the new Celisus energy drink after our workouts.
Cythnia Bailey is the brand ambassador for the drink Celsius created by Russell Simmons
I’ve met Cynthia Bailey before but she was very plesant and took pictures with everyone post-workout!
This wasn’t a moment for me to be cute…although I tried…I just got finished working out. Let alone the intense Barres Class. I felt the burn!!
After I worked out, I immediately went to the wash room where there are showers, tolietries and other items to help freshen up after working out at Exhale. I was very impressed with the set up because it felt like a luxury bathroom and not just a locker room type set up. There were multiple showers, plenty of towels, shampoo, moisturizers, shaving razors, lotions and even tampons for all the things you need to feel refreshed and cleaned afterwards.
All of the products in the bathroom was from Exhale Spa collection personally branded by this studio.
Exhale Avalon features Haven Collective Yoga store, a feminine apperal brand of athetic gear and accessories built into their workout studio. It connects Fashion and Function, High design with Eco sustainable fabrics and, in the spirit of NY style, should be worn from studio to street.Very cute and chic reminds me a lot of SoHo NY.
Doing this Barres workout session taught me a very important lesson. I need to workout more. I am out of shape…slim doesnt mean in shape. At all. So with that said I am inspired to try to workout more and maybe take Exhale’s yoga class in the future.
Will You Be Working Out More This Summer? What Kind of Classes Do You Take if You Are Working Out?
About the Blogger - Kiwi the Beauty
Kiwi is the free spirited blogger and content creator of KiwiTheBeauty.com. As a digital influencer, she produces creative inspiration around beauty, lifestyle, media and travel leisure. Her life mantra is to make manifesting fun! When she’s not blogging, she is eating trendy hipster food, carrying crystals, making it rain at her local farmer's market and binge brunching.
Follow her on her blog and social media at kiwithebeauty.com + @kiwithebeauty
That kind of workout class does sound intense but the benefits of yoga and ballet would be awesome. Exhales definitely sounds like a good place to get shredded!
That looks like a great work out! I’ll bet it really helps with your balance and posture too. You did great! And how cool was it to meet Cynthia Bailey?!
This looks like a great time. I have been doing a lot of extra exercise classes in the past couple of months. I’ve also been doing some 10K activities too.
I miss my workout- EA Sports Active on the Wii really helped me go down to 180 from near 225 but then I gained it back. Now I am just being more aware of food portions and being active with my kids. Would love a place to go to work out so I can socialize while doing it!
I workout 3-4x per week and sure wish I got treated with cocktails afterward. It is my dream to develop the strength and skill of the yoga posers you featured!
A barre class looks like so much fun! I never would have thought working out and cocktails would go together, that’s for sure! Looks like you had a lot of fun, and you look great!
Looks like a really nice place and they seem very friendly which makes working out so much more fun. Looks like you had a good time even though you were working out, LOL.
I do a barre workout at home that seriously kicks my butt. It looked so easy until I actually did it. I didn’t realize how sore I would be the next morning.
That looks like an amazing studio! I’ve tried yoga in the past, which I find a bit too slow paced to keep going. I do take hip hop dance classes twice a week though!
I’ve not done yoga before but I would totally try it out. I’m not an energy drink person, I’ve actually never had one of any kind. Really cool that you got to meet Cynthia Bailey.
Wow! Great job! I do yoga regularly yet I have limited flexibility, plus I have a bad back. I wish I could do that position…right now, it just looks like it would hurt, lol!
Fun event! A barre studio just opened up by us. My daughters want to go check it out with me. It’s right by our grocery store, so I’m there all the time.
WOW JUST WOW. That sort of intense workout is what turns me off from doing exercise BUT it’s what I need. I like the variety of the workout. Thanks for sharing your honest opinion.
Very cool. I’m moving soon and I’ve been looking into a gym that may have some core training. I’d probably avoid a cocktail after a workout… I’d have heartburn. lol
My only exercise is walking three to four times daily. I have long wanted to do yoga, but I have never gotten around to enrolling in a class. Looks like you fun even if it was quite a challenging workout.
Yoga is such a great and relaxing exercise its one of my favorites. This looks like a great studio to work out at. Getting a work out in is so much more fun when you are able to work out with others.
I need to workout more …as I sit here and eat a ooey gooey chocolate chip cookie. I would run..I remember I went to a workout class with a friend and I felt I was in an episode of bill cosby where she hid behind someone bigger than her. I love the place though very inviting.
Some people buy gym equipment so they can work out at the comfort of their home, but the problem is that they would always rather choose to sleep and rest in the couch than exercise. With a workout studio, you get more motivation. Also, having other people and friends around is an extra boost.
This is awesome! I have been working towards losing more weight and getting healthier. I still need to add more work outs into my weekly plan but I have been working on changing my eating first. I am so busy so I am taking it one step at a time. Though, sometimes that can be hard! Haha Thank you so much for sharing! All you ladies look amazing! Now I am wondering about those drinks! Haha I am gonna have to get them out as well!
That is the hardest way I have ever seen to earn a drink! Very happy that you are finding ways to keep challenging yourself throughout the year. It looks like a huge challenge with a great reward. I need to work out more, especially while the weather will allow me to do so. I know that the snow is coming soon!
This looks like it might be a fun workout. I did many barre workouts as a teen. I have to say that the bathroom looks amazing! And your description sounds amazing with the showers and towels, and the products look super nice. What a great experience!
Looks like the type of workout I’d have to be in much better shape to be able to do! I hurt a little just looking at the pictures. 😉 Still, doesn’t mean I shouldn’t try. I want to go back to dance classes, I loved taking the one I did in college.
I have always wanted to take a barre class. They look like they would be SO fun! I have seen those Celsius drinks before and wondered how they worked. I’d love to try them myself. What a fun event and love the cocktails after a workout. That would keep me motivated.
I have been wanting to try a barre class for a while, but it hasn’t really caught on here yet and classes are hard to come by.
I don’t work out more in the summer, but I do eat healthier! That looks like a very cool place to work out though!
I workout year-round. I’ve never taken a barre class, but have wanted to for a while!
I haven’t worked out in so long. I used to do barre exercises all the time in my karate classes. I need to start them up again!
That kind of workout class does sound intense but the benefits of yoga and ballet would be awesome. Exhales definitely sounds like a good place to get shredded!
I don’t take any kind of classes, but I have started walking more. I just learned recently that I need to incorporate strength training as well.
I will def be working out more this summer! How cool is this? Looks like a really great experience!
That looks like a great work out! I’ll bet it really helps with your balance and posture too. You did great! And how cool was it to meet Cynthia Bailey?!
This looks like a great time. I have been doing a lot of extra exercise classes in the past couple of months. I’ve also been doing some 10K activities too.
I took a Barre class downtown last year and it kicked my booty! It was an intense workout.
Now that is my kind of workout! Well, the cocktails. You at least look like you work out. 😉
I think I may check the class that is offered in my area now.
I miss my workout- EA Sports Active on the Wii really helped me go down to 180 from near 225 but then I gained it back. Now I am just being more aware of food portions and being active with my kids. Would love a place to go to work out so I can socialize while doing it!
AA workout and a cocktail, who would have ever thought the two would go together?!? Thanks for sharing 🙂
I workout 3-4x per week and sure wish I got treated with cocktails afterward. It is my dream to develop the strength and skill of the yoga posers you featured!
It looks like it was a lot of fun! What a great experience.
A barre class looks like so much fun! I never would have thought working out and cocktails would go together, that’s for sure! Looks like you had a lot of fun, and you look great!
This post really makes me want to attend a class. I have been so intimidated to go to a gym, but this seems like a beautiful place to focus on myself.
It looked challenging, but fun. I’ve been wanting to attend a yoga class, but I’ve never got around to doing it. I should look for classes now.
Looks like a really nice place and they seem very friendly which makes working out so much more fun. Looks like you had a good time even though you were working out, LOL.
I do a barre workout at home that seriously kicks my butt. It looked so easy until I actually did it. I didn’t realize how sore I would be the next morning.
Wow I bet that was quite the workout! Have never heard of Celsius but I bet it is goes great for day that you workout like that.
I haven’t been able to get into the specialty workouts with my gym except for spin class, but that’s been working for me so far!
An amazing workout AND a cocktail? Genius!! This studio looks gorgeous as well!!
I love Cynthia Bailey. She is so pretty. How cool that you got to meet her.
That looks like an amazing studio! I’ve tried yoga in the past, which I find a bit too slow paced to keep going. I do take hip hop dance classes twice a week though!
I’ve not done yoga before but I would totally try it out. I’m not an energy drink person, I’ve actually never had one of any kind. Really cool that you got to meet Cynthia Bailey.
This looks like a great event! I wish I could take some yoga or Pilates classes, but there are just too expensive for me right now.
Wow! Great job! I do yoga regularly yet I have limited flexibility, plus I have a bad back. I wish I could do that position…right now, it just looks like it would hurt, lol!
Holly Molly, those yoga poses are amazing. wish I am that flexible, very inspiring!
I’m looking forward to gyming after this pregnancy. I actually miss working out and really want to try Yoga.
This looks like fun. I need to do some yoga to help tone the muscles.
Their studio looks really cool. I bet when you cam out of there you were exhausted, but I bet it felt great!
Fun event! A barre studio just opened up by us. My daughters want to go check it out with me. It’s right by our grocery store, so I’m there all the time.
Looks like a fun event! Some of my friends are into yoga!
I need to get in shape like this. What a fun idea. Gotta love the drinks too.
I’m sure you did great! It sounds like a type of workout I’d like to try.
WOW JUST WOW. That sort of intense workout is what turns me off from doing exercise BUT it’s what I need. I like the variety of the workout. Thanks for sharing your honest opinion.
I’d try the Celsius. I think it’s fun to try new drinks and see what we like best.
Sounds like a fab studio! Wish I could do that yoga pose!
Wow! They surely are yoga pros. Wish I could do that. I’ve never tried working out. I would love to try though. 🙂
I need to work out more! But I’m having such a hard time sticking with something. I need something new and fun! lol.
I love the barre workout, it really kicks your butt!
Oh my goodness, I don’t know that I’m that flexible for that class! I’d go straight to the cocktail!
That looks like quite the workout! I need that for sure. I have gone so far away from my healthy lifestyle
Yoga is one of my favorite forms of exercise, but I am far from the poses the pros were doing! Wow!!
Very cool. I’m moving soon and I’ve been looking into a gym that may have some core training. I’d probably avoid a cocktail after a workout… I’d have heartburn. lol
I am both impressed and jealous of your yoga abilities! That is quite amazing that a person can do that.
My only exercise is walking three to four times daily. I have long wanted to do yoga, but I have never gotten around to enrolling in a class. Looks like you fun even if it was quite a challenging workout.
Now that looks like a fun even. I love Cynthia she is such a joy to be around. I’m glad you had a good time.
Oh my that looks like a good workout. Awesome experience I am sure.
Yoga is such a great and relaxing exercise its one of my favorites. This looks like a great studio to work out at. Getting a work out in is so much more fun when you are able to work out with others.
I need to workout more …as I sit here and eat a ooey gooey chocolate chip cookie. I would run..I remember I went to a workout class with a friend and I felt I was in an episode of bill cosby where she hid behind someone bigger than her. I love the place though very inviting.
Some people buy gym equipment so they can work out at the comfort of their home, but the problem is that they would always rather choose to sleep and rest in the couch than exercise. With a workout studio, you get more motivation. Also, having other people and friends around is an extra boost.
This is awesome! I have been working towards losing more weight and getting healthier. I still need to add more work outs into my weekly plan but I have been working on changing my eating first. I am so busy so I am taking it one step at a time. Though, sometimes that can be hard! Haha Thank you so much for sharing! All you ladies look amazing! Now I am wondering about those drinks! Haha I am gonna have to get them out as well!
That is the hardest way I have ever seen to earn a drink! Very happy that you are finding ways to keep challenging yourself throughout the year. It looks like a huge challenge with a great reward. I need to work out more, especially while the weather will allow me to do so. I know that the snow is coming soon!
This looks like it might be a fun workout. I did many barre workouts as a teen. I have to say that the bathroom looks amazing! And your description sounds amazing with the showers and towels, and the products look super nice. What a great experience!
Looks like the type of workout I’d have to be in much better shape to be able to do! I hurt a little just looking at the pictures. 😉 Still, doesn’t mean I shouldn’t try. I want to go back to dance classes, I loved taking the one I did in college.
I have always wanted to take a barre class. They look like they would be SO fun! I have seen those Celsius drinks before and wondered how they worked. I’d love to try them myself. What a fun event and love the cocktails after a workout. That would keep me motivated.
What an amazing event! I have been wanting to try a barre class. I have heard from so many people that they are no joke!