Corebar is a fun, intense, high energy and upbeat fitness class that originated in Norway over 10 years ago. With the use of a weighted bar that looks similar to an unstrung archer’s bow, classes can be split into cardio, conditioning and mobility – or focus on just one particular depending to clientele. In a one hour class you can expect to get sweaty, but feel exhilarated.
Rosie & Pamela demonstrating the Dancer Pose, Corebar style
Balancing with the Corebar – it’s harder than it looks!
More Corebar balancing
The first people in the UK to try out the Corebar class!
“It’s like the opposite of Zen”, says Pamela at the beginning of our class. “You finish with a feeling that you want to take on the world.” Optimistic for a Sunday morning, but I was certainly eager to believe it…*
She adds that whilst the classes will push your stamina, strength and coordination, it will also have you smiling.
The bar is used at all times and they come in different weights. It’s common to use the 1kg bars for the cardio part (any heavier and you start to compromise on form and technique), then for conditioning and mobility we used 2kg bars.
The first part of our class (dreaded cardio) saw us holding the bars with one hand on each end (it felt like I was pretending to drive a jet ski). There were lots of hip twists, leg and knee raises and a move which made us look like we were impersonating speed skaters. The whole sequence challenges your coordination as well as bringing your heartbeat up and Pamela, with a wide grin on her face told us that our brains will also get quite tired by the end of this.
The 1kg bars that felt so light at the beginning (I was happily using mine as a spinning baton prior to the class starting) suddenly felt a LOT heavier. Now using 2kg bars for conditioning sand mobility was going to be a struggle…
Using the bars to plank is a lot harder than it looks. The bars are actually quite unstable on the ground, thus your strength has to really come through for you to stop it wobbling and not let you fall flat on your face. Performing a side plank can be hard enough, but add lifting the bar towards the ceiling and you’ll feel the burn tenfold (at least until you face-plant…).
I felt that whilst the class incorporated a lot squats and HIIT moves, it had less impact on my joints such as my knees and I didn’t feel like I was going to damage anything. With the use of the bar I also felt and saw an immediate improvement in my posture, which is something I’m quite conscious of.
Due to there being modifications for each exercise it means that it’s suitable for all levels of fitness – whether you’re recovering from injury or an avid fitness junkie, everyone can reap the benefits from this class.
I’d recommend Corebar to anyone looking for a good full body workout, who’s bored of their regular fitness classes, or who wants to ensure they have fun whilst getting fit. And for those who find the 2kg bars too easy, there’s a 3kg to really test your strength.
I’d certainly go again and look forward to the day I can get through a class without tripping over my feet.
*I didn’t quite take on the world afterwards, but Eliza and I did conquer a huge lunch in China Town.
More Information
There will be more taster sessions throughout the summer before Corebar UK officially launches in September after the UK instructor course. The next Corebar UK taster session is on Tuesday 18th July, 2-3pm at the Detox Kitchen (10 Mortimer Street).
For details of upcoming taster sessions or to find out more about becoming a Corebar UK instructor, contact Pamela at uk@thecorebar.com or check the CorebarUK Facebook Page and follow Pamela on Instagram @pamela_kosminsky Find out more about Corebar at www.thecorebar.com
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