We’re so fortunate to have some time with Elizabeth to get to know her better and hear more about her love for Pure Barre. Not only does Elizabeth teach Pure Barre classes at Myers Park, she also travels nationally to teach the teachers! Yes, that’s right she goes around the country to ensure Pure Barre’s standards of technique & high quality continue to be met. You can have full confidence that when you attend a Pure Barre class that extensive training has been completed and that each instructor is certified by the Pure Barre Training team. Enjoy getting to know more about Elizabeth and hearing more about Pure Barre and her love for it!
Elizabeth and her husband Brandon
Getting to know Elizabeth
1. When did you get involved with Pure Barre & how did you decide to become a PB instructor?
I started teaching in May 2010. I had heard about it when I was living in Philadelphia, and a few months after moving to Charlotte, a friend from Philadelphia told me about a Pure Barre opening here! I had missed teaching at the barre studio in Philadelphia, so I was really excited to start again with the reputable company I had previously heard about!
2. What was it about the PB technique that appealed to you?
I love that it’s very technical and that there is a lot of research that goes into creating a challenging yet safe workout for our clients. I appreciate how we train our teachers to look for incorrect form on a client, then work to correct those misalignments in a client over time. I also immediately loved that though I thought I was really strong, when I took my first class at training, my legs were shaking uncontrollably-I knew I had found a gem of a workout to master and to teach!
3. I know you have a dance background, but tell us more about this and what you did before you worked at PB?
I have a B.A. in Dance, performed in various shows and for various companies and choreographers in southern CA, Philadelphia, Cleveland, and Charlotte (including Charlotte-based Caroline Calouche and Co., a contemporary and aerial dance company). I had always wanted to go further with my dance career, but I believe God shifted my focus and set me on the path I am on now. I love what I’m doing and for me, I feel I get to make a much greater impact than I could have ever done through dance performance.
4. You’ve been an instructor for many years, but share with us about when you became a PB national trainer?
I have been teaching in the fitness industry since 2002. I began with Pilates and because of my dance background, started expanding into more. In Philadelphia, I worked for a wonderful privately owned Pilates/barre workout (Pure Barre didn’t have a location there at the time), so that was my introduction into the ballet barre-inspired workouts. I was asked to join the Pure Barre training team as a Master Teacher Trainer in 2015 and two years later, in late 2017, stepped into a corporate role with the training team!
Elizabeth and Brandon in a Bring on the Men Pure Barre class. How fun!
Elizabeth and Brandon in a Bring on the Men Pure Barre class. How fun!
I have always loved to travel and explore! Since I’ve taken on the role with corporate, I travel even more than before. I get to travel all over the country and work with owners and teachers, usually about two weekends per month. It’s exhausting, but it’s been an incredible joy and privilege!
6. The quality of the PB instructors has always been something that keeps me coming back. You are all so trained, so focused, and so accurate. It helps me know I am getting a great workout and will not injure myself either, because you are there to guide me along the way. Can you open up about this more since you are on the training staff?
It’s great to know that this has been your experience with Pure Barre. That’s what we aim for. We work hard to ensure that our teachers are well-trained to see misalignments and correct them or offer modifications that maintain the integrity of the exercise. Since we have teachers with varying levels of experience in the fitness industry, it’s a big reason that we work so hard with them to keep the quality of our workout as our company grows. We want our clients to have fun while taking class, yet still be challenged to push their edge. There is a lot of work that goes into keeping the clients safe, while still having a fun and challenging workout.
7. Pure Barre seems to change things up often. How often do you learn workouts?
We mix it up quite a bit. We want our clients to eventually have a grasp of the technique so that as we change the workout movements, they can adapt quickly. There is a balance between knowing the general flow of class, yet having enough changes that keep them mentally engaged and interested!
8. The music at Pure Barre is always fabulous. Share how these great playlists are created and coincide so well with the workouts.
That’s part of our secret recipe, I can’t share!
Just for fun
9. Favorite spots in Charlotte to meet friends.
Good Restaurants. I have a special love for Living Kitchen, Fern, Vapiano, Yafo, and B. Good. I also just discovered how wonderful Bistro La Bon is! I always look forward to the annual Charlotte Symphony’s Summer Pops concert series! I also love getting out on trails for a run!
10. Guilty pleasures:
Chocolate! Dessert is my weakness. I’ll pass on a glass of wine any day for a delicious dessert.
11. Best book recently:
I have three most recent favorites: “Orphan Train” and “A Piece of the World” both by Christina Baker Kline and “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah. Another brilliant novel, “All the Light We Cannot See,” by Anthony Doerr.
12. Favorite Vacation Ever:
Honestly, even though it wasn’t vacation, studying abroad in Europe! …so many amazing opportunities to see so many incredible places in one semester. I always encourage students to study abroad!
13. What you’re watching on TV/Netflix:
I’m obsessed with Heartland. It’s this sweet Canadian show that’s been on for over a decade, and hardly anyone has heard of it in the U.S. You can watch it with your kids! The pilot episode is a little rough, but if you watch the 2nd episode, you’ll get hooked. I also love a good home-improvement/restoration/design series.
July Studio Specials:
Pure Barre Myers Park:
– Two week trial for $49.
– Until the end of July, teachers and students can get 2 months unlimited for $299.
Pure Barre Ballantyne:
– Two week trial $49.
– Until the end of July, Summer Slim Down Special: 2 months unlimited for $299.
Pure Barre Southpark:
– Two week trial $49.
– Until the end of July, Summer Slim Down Special: 2 months unlimited for $299.
Check studio Facebook pages for Summer Pop-Up/Barre to Barre/ Hot Barre dates and locations.
Locations:
Pure Barre Ballantyne
8430 Rea Road #120
Charlotte, NC 28277
(704) 502-5888
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Pure Barre Myers Park
603 Providence Road
Charlotte, NC 28207
(980) 329-4640
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Pure Barre Southpark
6401 Morrison Blvd Suite 7A
Charlotte, NC 28211
(704) 364-2888
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