I recently become a Barrecore addict, if you read my review on my first Barrecore class you will see why! Barrecore really defines for me what a great exercise class should be like, so I decided I needed to find out more about these amazing classes and share them on The Nutritionista and who better to tell me than Niki Rein the CEO and founder of Barrecore.

I hope you enjoy what she has to say :)

1.Can you explain what Barrecore is?

Barrecore is a highly effective, efficient and fun fitness community.  We use dance based movements to help clients create long and lean physiques like dancers. Classes are just one hour and only 2-4 sessions a week are needed to create quick and lasting results.  We also offer private training and nutritional counselling for more bespoke programmes.

2.What was the idea behind setting Barrecore up?

When I moved over to the UK in 2009 I saw that there was hardly any dance exercise in London nor a sense of community when it came to fitness.  I am very proud that our studios are warm, welcoming and incredibly friendly AND we change bodies rapidly!

3.What sets Barrecore apart from the other exercise classes?

Everyone is challenged through the entire hour, the intensity level changes moment to moment and you are constantly being educated on why and what you are doing so there isn’t anytime to ‘check out’.  You can’t be anywhere else but in the classroom.  The result is that you leave feeling centered like you just meditated and buzzing from the endorphins post workout.

4.What brought Barrecore to the UK?

I did :)  I created a class out of little mews house in Chelsea and one class turned into 6 which turned into a studio on Kings Rd in November 2011

5. What’s your favourite Barrecore move?

I just love pretzel under the barre.  It works the seat, waste, back and shoulder….talk about ‘no escape’!

6.What can first time Barrecore goers expect from your classes?

They will be pleasantly surprised no matter what their fitness level is.  We have a lot of fitness buffs come out saying they have never been challenged in such a way before and a lot of those completely new to fitness saying they have always hated working out but this is something they can see themselves doing.  barrecore classes are great for everyone because you can truly take it to your own level and there is always another level clients can get to so there is no chance of plateau.

7.What’s a typical day in the life of Niki Rein?

Wake up 5:30am and check emails, 7am-2pm see private clients and/or teach classes, 2pm-5pm meetings, 5pm-8pm emails/admin, 8pm-9:30pm hang out with my husband and dog, 10pm bedtime!

8.What is your normal eating and exercise routine?

I normally wake up and have a what I call a Green Concoction first thing in the morning 5:45 (Amazing Grass. Glutamine Powder, lime juice & water). Then I have some sort of meat (chicken, steak or sardines) with avocado or handful of nuts and a cup of organic coffee. Around 11am I will have something from barreBAZAAR such as Activated Nuts, Rawlicious Kale Chips or Chia Pot.  As my mornings are usually very busy I try to hop into a 1 or 1:30 barrecore class and then eat lunch at 2:30/3.  Lunch is usually my largest meal of the day and consists of salmon or chicken with roasted vegetables and salad.  Dinner is around 7:30 and is a large salad with pasture raised protein or what I like to call a ‘one pot meal’ of whatever CSA vegetables I have and meat I have with either Morrocan, Mexican or Italian spices.

9.What’s your favourite healthy eatery in London?

The Good Life Eatery and Joe and the Juice (they just started making an AMAZING salad!)

10.Do you have any advice for working girls in London trying to live a healthy lifestyle?

Be prepared. Organise your breakfasts and lunches at the start of the week.  It’s only when you are left in the lurch and start to get ‘Hangry (hungry and angry)’ that you start to make bad choices.  Do everything to avoid the dreaded ‘Hangry’!

11.Do you have any advice for entrepreneurs like yourself looking into starting their own business?

Honestly, just do it. There is no preparation that can prepare you for the unknown challenges and joys that come up in running your own business.  It WILL be hard work but it will also be the most gratifying work you have done as it will be YOUR creation.  If you follow your heart and stay positive there are so many angels along the way to help push you along.