“We try to play music that people will like and come back for. We want them to ask us who’s playing, not play the typical zumba, radio, annoying music. We go from Halsey to Drake to Future to EDM.”
EDM. Nothing is bleeped out. It’s all out in the open. If a song is extremely explicit, then it’s extremely explicit. Q: What is barre dancing? SF: It’s a barre workout, meaning it’s a hybrid workout with different elements from pilates, yoga and ballet. But you do not have to be a dancer to do this. Barre workouts are isometric, meaning that you use your own body weight as resistance and repeating these tough workouts to burn out muscles and tone out evenly. You see results really quickly because the workout targets deep inside the muscles. It’s an intense calorie burner. People get more toned around the arms, the waist, the abs, the inner thighs. It’s good for the posture, so people start to walk taller and more precisely. Q: How can it change a person mentally? SF: Mentally, there’s a lot of rewards to it. It’s a technique. You come in and you get to shut off whatever’s going on and just focus on the workout. The workout is really challenging, so mentally, it’s rewarding. You get to learn about your body, and the more you come in, the harder it gets because you’re learning more and more about the muscles you’re supposed to be using. It pays off to come often because now you can feel reward in knowing that you completed such an intense workout. Q: How does barre dancing compare to ballet? SF: It’s more accessible but gives the same benefits. The same long, lean muscles and core workouts. The same mental focus. The same rewarding pride. But with barre workouts, you don’t have to be extremely coordinated. Nobody is judging you here, so it’s more welcoming to just workout rather than strictly dance. Barre workouts are also way safer than dancing. You can do this class every day and not injure yourself.
NATIVE KNOWLEDGE: Pop Physique is located on Abbot Kinney, a street bustling with local businesses and art galleries. Strolling down the street is an adventure on its own. It’s what one would think of when “Insta-famous” comes to mind. Sit down for a Mint Lemonade at Lemonade after your workout. You might even run into a few celebrities! (Pink sat next to me.)
LOCALE MAGAZINE | 105