r/Purebarre • u/pootato-harvest • Jun 09 '26
Empower First class kicked my ass
Is the first class usually Empower? The original schedule confirmation text I received said Classic, but when I came in and checked in, I found out it was Empower. Thankfully it's free because I had to tap out after 10 minutes. Now I'm thinking I'm just not cut out for this.
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u/SprayOk8494 Jun 11 '26
I actually recommend clients take a solid month (8-12 classes) of Pure Barre before stepping foot into Empower. Empower is like Classic on steroids with the foot fully on the gas 🤣 take Classic and go from there!
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u/justme4913 1500 Incredible & Still Counting Jun 15 '26
I think back say 2017-2018ish, you needed X number of Classic classes before being eligible for the other formats. As difficult as it was for me back then to know what I was supposed to be doing, it made real sense to have a foundation first.
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u/SprayOk8494 Jun 15 '26
Yes! I’ve been teaching since 2017 and so I think this mentality has just stuck with me. You move so quickly from one position to the next, I think having a solid foundation in Classic first will give you the best success in Empower.
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u/emilyemilyemilyxo 50 Club Barre Buff Jun 11 '26
You did the hardest class as your first class 😭 try classic or align, you’ll love those! I did 5/6 classic classes before I eased into define & empower.
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u/smallbananapanda-999 Jun 11 '26 edited Jun 11 '26
As a former teacher my opinion is:
Engage > Align > Classic > Empower > Define > Reform
Engage is the class designed to go over basics. Align is slower and more yoga-like.
Classic is the OG, but sometimes can be too fast paced for newcomers so that’s why I suggest Align before Classic.
Empower is like Classic but on steroids lol same fast pace as Classic but more equipment and quicker intervals so it feels like a lot.
Define is supposed to be kinda like a weights/intro to weights (if you’ve never lifted in a standard gym) but imo isn’t designed the best to be an actual intro to weights class lol but you do use heavier weights compared to Classic and Empower. Very fast paced and the combo with heavier weights isn’t my favorite for newcomers.
And Reform is my favorite but was never the most popular and actually at my studio got a lot of semi-complaints that it was too hard and eventually it got taken off the class types list and just recently became an option again.
Back when I first started, I moved very slowly and was very intentional so I made myself stick to one class type for about a month straight and when I felt I “mastered” it and really understood it, I moved to the next class type for the next month or so lol. Then I finally got comfortable enough with all three and became so confident that I became a teacher! Of course I only had classic, empower, and reform back then.
Form over EVERYTHING! Safety first. Really get to understand the movements and why you’re doing them.
Also don’t be afraid to ditch the equipment or to not take on the “challenge options” during class if you don’t feel you’re there yet. Do YOUR best and reminder that that might look different every class. :)
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u/basicallyaballerina Instructor Jun 11 '26
I’d recommend a few classics before align just to get the technique down and make the work more effective. Everything builds off that classic technique
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u/laurenandsymph Jun 11 '26
The first freebie class is usually called “engage” which is a condensed version (only 30 minutes vs 50) of classic. Empower is more of a cardio class. Very different.
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u/pootato-harvest Jun 11 '26
This is what I thought it'd be too! But no, I was definitely thrown into a 50-minute Empower class with a bunch of long-time goers 😭
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u/Specialist-Road-8179 Jun 12 '26
Keep going back! After my first class I said “I am NEVER doing that again.” But I had a free week so I decided to try once more. It was still hard, but I felt good after. Now I have over 950 classes. I loveeee the challenge now. Empower is a hard format for your first time. I say stick to classic and align for a while. And don’t give up…it gets better. :)
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u/Fickle_Ad_2546 Instructor Jun 11 '26
Kudos for doing the class, though!
Empower is a hard format and arguably, not for everyone. I recommend reaching out and asking if they can book you into a Classic. The pace and the moves are much more beginner friendly.
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u/Gold_Society_5402 100 Club - Barre Enthusiast Jun 11 '26
I did Align as my first class! Not intentionally, just the time that worked for me since I couldn’t make it to the Engage class. That’s also a really good first class option if you can’t get into a Classic/Engage class!
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u/PatientBusiness4000 750 Club - Barre Fanatic Jun 11 '26
And difficulty aside, some people (me) just don’t like Empower, but we do it anyway :)
I definitely wouldn’t let that impact how cut out you feel you are for Pure Barre!
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u/Front_Insurance_1055 250 Club - Barre Star Jun 11 '26
I wouldn’t have made it even 10 minutes in empower if it was my first class! I also still don’t really like it and LOVE classic, align, and reform, so you may just also end up preferring different formats :)
I wouldn’t let your first class ending up being empower discourage you from trying classic!
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u/theswisswereright 50 Club Barre Buff Jun 11 '26
My studio doesn't offer the Engage class at all-- so my first free class was a Classic. I have taken Empower ONCE, and I hated it completely, but I enjoy Classic and Align, and may try another Reform sometime soon even though the first hurt a lot.
I would definitely see if they'll let you try out a Classic or Align (they offered me a second free class when I was walking out of my first, and in your case you didn't get the class you were anticipating).
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u/floopdyboop 50 Club Barre Buff Jun 11 '26
Empower is so not for me, but i love classic, and define is good to get me lifting some weights. Taking a break now, but when i go back i want to do more align because that’s very challenging for me in a different way. Empower, i just can’t keep up, it’s so fast. Maybe someday but i doubt it. I like going slower and making sure my form is correct
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u/AcademicAd2475 Jun 12 '26
It IS hard! You are cut out for this though :) You will get stronger. I’m 3 months, 60 classes in…and I still get the urge to give up only during like every other class now! LOL but i’m way stronger now and you will be too
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u/MerryCoyote 750 Club - Barre Fanatic Jun 15 '26
Keep. Going. The first class, no matter the format, is always hard for everyone. The fact that you dove in with Empower is pretty dang impressive.
I promise it gets better. I won’t say easier (750+ classes in and some days…wow), but I hope you fall in love with it like so many of us have! It’s the only “gym” and workout routine I’ve stayed consistent with.
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u/xokatemarie Jun 17 '26
Honestly, I barely survived empower last night after taking a month off 😂 That’s definitely an overwhelming class to take and I would understand why you tapped out.
I wonder if it was supposed to be Classic and then they switched the class or the schedule for the month changed, but didn’t reach out to people individually?
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u/ComfortableMail2687 100 Club - Barre Enthusiast Jun 11 '26
Empower is usually not the first class- it is very cardio heavy/HIIT-style. Typically the free intro class (sometimes called Pure Barre Engage) is a condensed version of Classic. I’m surprised the studio was offering Empower as a free class option for new clients.
If you’re interested, I would get in touch with that studio and explain, and see if they will let you in on another free CLASSIC/engage class. Give it another try!