Hey Rebecca! How did you discover WeBarre?
I first heard of WeBarre from one of the instructors at a yoga studio where I was attending classes. I was looking for a part time job while studying, and she recommended WeBarre. She felt that the community in WeBarre was tight-knit and was in line with what I was looking for.

Tell us about your studies and work before you joined WeBarre!
Previously, I was studying for a Diploma in Psychology at Ngee Ann Polytechnic. With graduation approaching however, I was apprehensive as to whether this was the career path that I wanted. A close friend shared that she was going for an interview with Singapore Airlines and told me to join her for fun. I went ahead with the interview, mainly out of curiosity, and didn’t expect myself to get through! It came as a surprise, but this was also an opportunity to take a gap year to re-evaluate what I really wanted for my future.

Working for Singapore Airlines as a Stewardess was definitely one of the most rewarding life experiences. Not only did I get to travel, but I also grew to be independent and learnt useful life skills along the way. It also made me realise that I did want to pursue Psychology as a career and it made me more motivated than ever when I eventually left the position and went back to pursuing my degree.

What other jobs and life experiences do you think has prepared you for your role in the front-of-house team?
I have been actively attending yoga classes since I was 18. What attracted me to stay on in a particular studio was how I felt welcomed by both the front-of-house staff and instructors. This gave me a vision on how I want WeBarre clients to feel when they arrive at the studio. It also helps that I have been working in the service industry while I was studying, and even prior to my job with Singapore Airlines.

What’s rewarding about working at the front desk?
Meeting new people and chatting with clients who eventually become my friends.

What’s most challenging? How do you handle these situations?
There are times when the customer comes into the studio after a bad day and gets really upset over miscommunication or studio policies. It doesn’t feel good to get yelled at, but I always tell myself that they are frustrated at the situation and the anger is not directed at me. I try to empathise with them and do my best to offer other alternatives that can potentially make the situation better for them.

What would you say is the most important trait you need to work in the service industry? Why?
Genuineness. You can have plenty of years of experience in the service industry, but if you lack genuineness in your actions and words, it can be easily picked up on.

What kind of an experience do you hope to leave people with whilst working at WeBarre?
A sense of home and warmth. I hope they would arrive at the studio feeling welcomed and look forward to the next time they come for class.

The post Up Close and Personal: Rebecca appeared first on WeBarre.

Hey ladies, tell us more about your dance training and professional experience!
J: I started ballet when I was five years old and never stopped dancing until I passed Grade 8 in Royal Academy of Dance, Classical Ballet! I am a certified personal trainer with National Academy of Sports Medicine and am currently in the process of getting certified in mat and studio Pilates with Polestar Pilates. Before I started my teaching journey, I worked in public relations for a leading global communications marketing firm.

K: Since the age of 7, I was a dancer and acrobat while growing up in Vancouver. Believe it or not, I had always wanted to be in Cirque de Soleil! Not a chance anymore. After quitting dance at 17, Barre is the closest to home I get to bringing rhythm and movement back into my routine.

You both lead very active lifestyles. Tell us how you started this fitness journey.
J: Since I was five, I started Ballet and Taekwondo. I have been doing that side by side for 10 years and passed Grade 8 Ballet and received my Taekwondo black belt at around the same time. Throughout those years, I was also actively involved and represented my high school in track and field (100m sprints, high jump, hurdles), badminton, and basketball competitions.

K: My fitness journey started at a young age because of dance and acrobatics. It was after I quit that, that I got into other forms of fitness such as endurance training and yoga to sustain my strength and stamina.

What’s a typical work day like for you?
J: Fitness is my full-time job! My normal day will start at 5:30am to get myself prepared for the day. Then I will travel to my first class/client around 7am. Between teaching at, I will take a class – either hot yoga or spinning to build up my fitness level. During times that I don’t have to teach, I will be dealing with admin things like clearing out emails, going to meetings and organizing my work schedule.

K: I mean I wouldn’t really consider it ‘working’, as I love what I get to do every morning. If i’m not teaching yoga or barre, you’ll find me starting my morning off breaking a sweat somehow. Lately, I’ve been doing my own workout circuits outdoors focusing a lot on sprints to improve my agility and speed. Let’s say, its not the easiest in the Hong Kong humidity. Between teaching classes and working out, I run my own wellness brand that creates bold plant-tonics and herbal products. You can check us out at @JAHMUTONIC

What’s the best thing about teaching? What’s most challenging?
J: The best thing about teaching is that I am serving others every day to help clients to live a better, positive, and healthy life. I find the experience very gratifying. The most challenging part of teaching (in a group setting) is to give everyone my full attention and to balance everyone’s needs so that everyone can achieve maximum benefits from class. For instance, you might see a client’s posture that is very bad and not a one-time fix, but your verbal and tactile cues are limited to help due to time and environmental constraints.

K: The best thing about teaching is being able to have fun and build-up that class environment where everyone feeds off of each other’s energy.

What don’t people know about you?
J: I’m generally good at most land sports, but terrible at water sports!

K: The only way I can drink water is to chug it out of a water bottle. I hate sipping water… I mean, who really likes sipping water?!

What inspires you outside the studio?
J: I enjoy reading non-fictions. Any topics related to emotional intelligence, business management, self-help, and biographies draw my interest. I also enjoy listening to Tim Ferris and Lewis Howes’ podcasts.

K: Nature and the ocean.

If you want more of Janice and Kat, be sure to drop by our WeBarre studio in Hong Kong for a good dose of #Barreburn!

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Good things come in pairs, as it is with this mother-daughter duo. Meaghan and Aunty Maria (as we affectionately call her at the WeBarre studios) are unlike any other. Fashion adviser, life coach, travel companion and high-tea buddies are just some ways to describe their tight relationship, with Aunty Maria attending the Barre classes that Meaghan teaches. When asked if it’s stressful having her mum in her classes, Meaghan quips, “At first it’ll be pretty stressful because she’ll be the most ‘judgey’ client ever. But after awhile, I’ve learnt to keep calm and do what I do.”

It seems like sports runs in this Indonesian family’s blood. In her hay days, Aunty Maria was a competitive swimmer for Indonesia, while Meaghan was in the school bowling team for 6 years. Meaghan reckons her active lifestyle has been nurtured from young, with her mum’s discipline and focus on sports having rubbed off on her. Having lived and studied in California for her Masters of Law in University of California, Berkeley, helped multiply her passion for fitness. “A social activity would very commonly be a spin class, HIIT workout or a run or along the Bay. I used fitness as an outlet from my studies, to reset and get back in the zone again. I guess I took that back home with me and it’s stuck ever since.” Meaghan also recollects that the best 2 years of her life were spent in California, and it’s all thanks to her mum’s support. She fondly remembers setting up her apartment in San Francisco with her mum’s help. “My mum and I had to move and fix up my IKEA and Crate and Barrel furniture by ourselves. Both of us carrying and pushing huge boxes into the apartment, trying to figure out how to piece together furniture parts and manually fixing them up is probably the funniest memory I have. I slept on a bed both of us fixed up together, and for awhile I was just crossing my fingers that it won’t break apart in the middle of the night!”

Meaghan looks to her mum for advice on all things big and small. “When I need an opinion on a decision I’m about to make and she validates it, I’m almost assured it will be the right decision. When I hit a wall, I turn to her.” Meaghan adds on jokingly, “I can always count on her to be brutally honest with me on my fashion choices.” Both count on each other for support and affirmation, with Aunty Maria describing Meaghan as being her confidante and “wise-advisor”. With Meaghan being the youngest in the family of 3 siblings, and being the only girl amongst her 2 brothers, it’s no wonder that her mum describes her as being “the princess type”. Be fooled not by Meaghan’s soft, gentle and demure nature though – Aunty Maria also adds that she is most proud of Meaghan’s determined and disciplined nature. She relates that as a child, Meaghan tore a ligament while practising for her first ballet performance, but pressed on to continue rehearsals in the lead up to the performance.

Besides bonding over Barre and heart-to-hearts, the two hang out over tea sometimes and take an annual trip together. Aunty Maria’s favourite trip was that to London where the two watched plays together and dined in old classic English restaurants. As with any mother’s wish for her child, Aunty Maria hopes for Meaghan to land a respectable, caring and loving soulmate. And of course with all children, the inevitable gripe is having to deal with their mother’s nagging. “I love her to bits but at times, (and I’m sure that’s how she feels towards me too), wish I had a remote control to mute her nagging, although I know she nags with good intentions!” In spite of it all, the two are still clearly best friends.

The post Up Close and Personal: Meaghan and Aunty Maria appeared first on WeBarre.

Be fooled not by Dorothy’s lean frame and sculpted arm muscles. Outside of the studio, Dorothy’s a foodie through and through. Describing herself as “one of those irritating Asians who have to take photos of their food before anyone touches it”, she cannot resist rating her meals before uploading pictures on Instagram (@dortzz). Now you know who to go to for the latest buzz on food!

Her guns, by the way, are a product of her competitive sailor days back in college. “Pilates and Barre just tones them up.”

Strut your stuff with Dorothy at the Dance Movie Soundtracks theme class on 1 May, 11am at WB Telok Ayer.

The post Up Close and Personal: Dorothy appeared first on WeBarre.

If Barre were to be described as the yin and yang of dance and fitness, then this is aptly reflected in the personalities of WeBarre Co-founders, Anabel Chew and Linda Tang. One describes herself as a hopeless romantic, while the other’s said to be the man in the relationship. But the two walk the same pace where the business of the studio is concerned.

Both made acquaintance 2.5 years ago at a Barre instructor training programme, at the studio where Linda was a Spinning instructor, and Anabel was a client. After the launch of a Barre programme fell through in the studio, both visionaries decided to delve into the business of opening WeBarre, so fired up by their personal experience with the workout.

Anabel describes her first brush with Barre in the summer of 2015 as life changing. The former Cheerleader and Cross-country runner recalls, “I’ve literally never done anything so challenging. Prior to this, I would consider myself quite fit, but Barre made me utilise muscles I thought I had but never did.” Linda discovered Barre in her search for an alternative from Pole Dancing, which she loved, but kept getting her injured from. “I liked how Barre gave me the elements of dance, yet it was done in a very safe and efficient manner.”

Without knowing too much of each other initially, the two recall chatting about each other’s greatest strengths, before deciding to go into business together. Says Linda of Anabel, “I felt she had a lot of ambition, ideas and passion, and we didn’t have the friendship side (of things) clouding us.” Anabel agrees, saying that the two “get each other business-wise” and finding someone who runs at the same pace as oneself has been the secret to the two keeping up with the challenges of the business world. The rest is history, as WeBarre grew from one to two branches after less than a year in operations, and has plans for exponential growth both locally and regionally.

“I see that she has the drive and same kind of passion for this as I do, and I think that it could be great.”

-Linda on going into business with Anabel back in 2015 when they first met

As with any partnership, disagreements arise, and the two laughingly relate their thoughts on this. Says Anabel who describes herself as the realist, “I believe not everything is make or break, and that everything can be worked out if you have the best intentions for the business.” She in turn, speaks fondly of her fellow Co-founder, saying the hopeless romantic in Linda emerges when disagreements arise, always thinking the better of every situation. Both are clearly as different in personalities as are their former careers – one a professional Musician, the other a Global Brand Manager. The secret to their successful partnership is having clear boundaries on who makes decisions on what, and heartfelt honesty with no hidden agendas, both agreeing that everything works together for the good of the business. Says Linda, “I can say confidently in the last 2.5 years we’ve worked together, I can count on one hand the amount of big disagreements we’ve had.”

It is evident that the two have grown from being business partners to close friends. When asked on who they admire most, Anabel unreservedly mentions Linda. She adds jokingly, “I always say she’s two years older than me, and she hates it!” Linda quips back, “I do say she’s the feisty one,” apparently in agreement with their Fengshui Master. “But I do feel in some weird way we balance each other out,” she adds.

It certainly seems like in the 2 years since WeBarre first began, Anabel and Linda are but in the beginning of their journey together. What sought to be the nation’s first boutique, specialist, Barre studio, now sets out to be the foremost Barre studio in Asia. Behind the WeBarre scenes is a team helmed by a pair of inspiring lady bosses, working full steam to take the business up the next level, continuing to spread the love for Barre beyond local shores.

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Hey Kenneth! Tell me more about your quest for a healthier lifestyle!
I have tried gyms, where I was on a package for 5 years but only went maybe 5 times a year. Then I did Virgin Fitness for a year where I was a bit more disciplined, but that too was just 2-3 times a week at most. Pilates was next but at once a week, it didn’t have any impact.

I gave barre a try in June 2016 and never looked back. I started off with Rachael’s Fundamentals class and haven’t thought twice since to achieve better health, form and lifestyle. I was on the unlimited package initially to challenge myself to lead a healthier lifestyle, because my annual check-ups weren’t glowing. I started off with 4-5 classes a week and after being inspired by @little_raindrops, I decided to do back-to-back classes thrice a week to challenge myself further, which averaged 9-10 classes a week.

Naturally, with an overdose at the barre, it helped to shape me up and get me toned and fit. I lost 6-8kg since I started!

What do you love so much about barre?
I’m not a cardio person. Additionally, having a personal trainer before felt like I was going through the motions of exercise, and it was just a routine. I love barre for its flow, the music which brings life to the moves and the grace that we see in ballerinas. That’s the essence of what barre is to me. Every section in a barre class is short, so it’s bearable. There are also variations, which kills the monotony and makes a class more interesting. In this sense, it also doesn’t over strain a particular muscle with constant repetition, as in a gym session.

What have you gained most since starting at WeBarre?
I look forward to barre when I come – that’s my focus and my passion. But the friends I have made at barre, from the instructors to the clients, have been an absolute bonus. For a bunch of us pioneers who have been ‘HIITing’ the barre for the last 1.5 years or more, the sense of community is genuine. I encourage everyone who comes to build their own community too, right here in WeBarre.

How have you been transformed by barre? 
This may sound cliché, but barre is my way of life. (Which is why, sometimes I don’t go for long holidays as it takes me away from my love.)

Personally, it has been truly rewarding. It’s like waking up to a rainbow each day, as I am inspired each time I head for class. WeBarre is truly my happy place. I have enjoyed a new lease of life and relish my daily dose of Vitamin B (for barre). I am a healthier, fitter and leaner version of myself and this confidence gives me the bounce to face life’s challenges head on.

Any birthday wishes for us?
Continue building your bond of love, trust and support as this is what makes WeBarre, its’ instructors and clients fuse into one big family. Your exuberance, passion, motivation, energy and love for barre (and life) brings out the best in us!

Kenneth is the recipient of a brand new Fitbit Alta HR for completing 500 barre classes. Congratulations and well done, Kenneth!

The post #WeBarreStory – Kenneth appeared first on WeBarre.

Hey Stella and Valerie! Tell us a little about yourself!
S: I really like to travel. It started from young with my parents bringing us on trips often, but it really intensified when I was studying in Perth. I didn’t fly anywhere because I was on a student’s budget, but I took the opportunity to do road trips with my friends whenever possible! At the end of the trip, the excitement of another adventure always has me looking forward to more. I find that I get to know people better through these journeys and spending time with people that I care about is extremely important to me.

V: I’m always learning new things – for example, I’ve learnt how to play the keyboard and the guitar, picked up sewing of cloth bags, bread and cake baking, pilates, kickboxing and of course, barre, in the recent years. This started out because I was feeling like I really could do more with my life, and bit by bit I started to tick off the list of things i’ve always wanted to do. I think you’ll never know your limits of what you can do until you actually push yourself to do it.

What was your fitness life like before discovering barre?
S: Non-existent? Well, almost non-existent. I attended a couple of Zumba classes before. While I really enjoyed it, it was something that I went alone for and that dwindled to something along the lines of “I go because I paid for it”. I still enjoy it but without good companionship, it just wasn’t as sustainable for me. I hate running and I don’t really relish the heat of the outdoors in its intense humidity. Gyms weren’t a great motivator for me as well. I just had to find something that I could stick with.

V: Before taking up barre, my fitness revolved mostly just around two weekly runs. Not because I like it (I used to think running is pretty boring), but because I knew I had to start working out a little bit more (the curse of ladies reaching their 30s).

Barre started to change my perspective of keeping fit. I could do something fun while working and toning my body. I still go for my runs now, but I now see it as a complement to my whole fitness regime.

What does being in WeBarre mean to you?
S: Starting WeBarre was a little like travelling for me. When my sister asked me to join her for the trial, it was the opportunity of trying out something new, with the added bonus of spending time with her.

I was initially intimidated by the classes and I regretted signing up for the trial. BUT after about 10 months of doing this regularly, I found that I am a lot stronger and I feel so much better about myself. The best part of joining WeBarre for me? I get to spend time with my sisters at least once a week, cos’ my sisters come too! ️

V: Learning barre at WeBarre teaches me to push my limits even more, not only in terms of physical strength, but also mentally. With a stronger mind, you can fight to achieve more with your life.

What do you look forward to most when coming to WeBarre?
S: Frankly, I look forward to seeing my sisters because all of us are so busy with work.

The next thing that I look forward to, would be the burn that comes with the workout. I like that the WeBarre class consists of different routines so I am never really bored. My sisters’ company has helped me attend class pretty regularly.

It must count for something if I stuck with this for over a year! I am still working up the courage to actually try a Signature class because I am pretty worried that I would fall apart during (or after) the class!

V: I definitely look forward to becoming stronger and more toned after each class. I love the full-body and fun workouts, the Instructors, and the ache in every part of my body which lasts for days after each class (I REALLY LOVE THIS!). I may not be able to follow through all the barre moves, but I look forward to getting there, and becoming a better and stronger version of myself after each class. Thanks to all at WeBarre! You guys are doing a great job!

How has your mentality changed since joining WeBarre?
S: I realise that I can actually do this. The awareness of my body becoming stronger is something that stands out to me – I used to hate the chair position and I couldn’t even last for a minute on that but now, I can complete most of the exercises in that position. It still burns as it is supposed to, but I can actually do it! That is what is empowering – that knowledge that I can do it.

V: WeBarre has given me positive vibes that I try to infuse to other parts of my daily life. I think WeBarre has influenced my life to the extent that I can’t help but encourage my friends to join as well. Two of my friends are now WeBarre clients, and they too are loving it!

The post #WeBarreStory – Stella and Valerie  appeared first on WeBarre.

Hey Stella and Valerie! Tell us a little about yourself!
S: I really like to travel. It started from young with my parents bringing us on trips often, but it really intensified when I was studying in Perth. I didn’t fly anywhere because I was on a student’s budget, but I took the opportunity to do road trips with my friends whenever possible! At the end of the trip, the excitement of another adventure always has me looking forward to more. I find that I get to know people better through these journeys and spending time with people that I care about is extremely important to me.

V: I’m always learning new things – for example, I’ve learnt how to play the keyboard and the guitar, picked up sewing of cloth bags, bread and cake baking, pilates, kickboxing and of course, barre, in the recent years. This started out because I was feeling like I really could do more with my life, and bit by bit I started to tick off the list of things i’ve always wanted to do. I think you’ll never know your limits of what you can do until you actually push yourself to do it.

What was your fitness life like before discovering barre?
S: Non-existent? Well, almost non-existent. I attended a couple of Zumba classes before. While I really enjoyed it, it was something that I went alone for and that dwindled to something along the lines of “I go because I paid for it”. I still enjoy it but without good companionship, it just wasn’t as sustainable for me. I hate running and I don’t really relish the heat of the outdoors in its intense humidity. Gyms weren’t a great motivator for me as well. I just had to find something that I could stick with.

V: Before taking up barre, my fitness revolved mostly just around two weekly runs. Not because I like it (I used to think running is pretty boring), but because I knew I had to start working out a little bit more (the curse of ladies reaching their 30s).

Barre started to change my perspective of keeping fit. I could do something fun while working and toning my body. I still go for my runs now, but I now see it as a complement to my whole fitness regime.

What does being in WeBarre mean to you?
S: Starting WeBarre was a little like travelling for me. When my sister asked me to join her for the trial, it was the opportunity of trying out something new, with the added bonus of spending time with her.

I was initially intimidated by the classes and I regretted signing up for the trial. BUT after about 10 months of doing this regularly, I found that I am a lot stronger and I feel so much better about myself. The best part of joining WeBarre for me? I get to spend time with my sisters at least once a week, cos’ my sisters come too! ️

V: Learning barre at WeBarre teaches me to push my limits even more, not only in terms of physical strength, but also mentally. With a stronger mind, you can fight to achieve more with your life.

What do you look forward to most when coming to WeBarre?
S: Frankly, I look forward to seeing my sisters because all of us are so busy with work.

The next thing that I look forward to, would be the burn that comes with the workout. I like that the WeBarre class consists of different routines so I am never really bored. My sisters’ company has helped me attend class pretty regularly.

It must count for something if I stuck with this for over a year! I am still working up the courage to actually try a Signature class because I am pretty worried that I would fall apart during (or after) the class!

V: I definitely look forward to becoming stronger and more toned after each class. I love the full-body and fun workouts, the Instructors, and the ache in every part of my body which lasts for days after each class (I REALLY LOVE THIS!). I may not be able to follow through all the barre moves, but I look forward to getting there, and becoming a better and stronger version of myself after each class. Thanks to all at WeBarre! You guys are doing a great job!

How has your mentality changed since joining WeBarre?
S: I realise that I can actually do this. The awareness of my body becoming stronger is something that stands out to me – I used to hate the chair position and I couldn’t even last for a minute on that but now, I can complete most of the exercises in that position. It still burns as it is supposed to, but I can actually do it! That is what is empowering – that knowledge that I can do it.

V: WeBarre has given me positive vibes that I try to infuse to other parts of my daily life. I think WeBarre has influenced my life to the extent that I can’t help but encourage my friends to join as well. Two of my friends are now WeBarre clients, and they too are loving it!

The post #WeBarreStory – Stella and Valerie  appeared first on WeBarre.

Hey Qiao Xuan! What interests do you pursue outside of work? 
I like studying languages and decided to take up the Korean language course after being hooked on Korean variety shows (they are so entertaining btw!). I hold an advanced level certificate in Korean language!

I also love yoga! I was running marathons but after awhile, my knees started to hurt quite badly. I was looking for other exercise options and decided to try yoga out for a low impact but equally effective workout. One aspect of yoga which I love is that it strengthens your body and your mind. If you put in the consistent effort to practise and show up on the mat, you will see improvements in your practice and have a greater awareness of your own body.

What was your fitness life like before discovering barre?
I was pretty active in my schooling days! I played hockey, participated in marathons, cycled and swim. But I grew unfit when I first started work as I did not follow a regular exercise routine back then. I eventually joined yoga about 3 years ago and have been a regular practitioner ever since. And of course, now I have barre to keep me fit as well!

How did you discover barre?
I’ve been an active yoga practitioner for 2.5 years but always felt that something was missing in my workout sessions – something more cardio, more energetic, more fast-paced and something which challenges and pushes me beyond my limits. I googled online and found WeBarre. I went for a trial session and I could still remember how positive and energetic (albeit tired) I felt at the end of the class. I was really inspired by the energy the instructors gave off and was motivated to continue doing the workout even though I remembered my first few sessions were really really challenging for me.

What do you love most about your barre workout, or coming for classes?
Definitely the positive vibes, the friendly instructors who know you by name and the welcoming environment. I have been to other gyms before and none comes close to WeBarre. I really like it that WeBarre builds strong relationships with their clients and tries to understand each individual client’s needs.

WeBarre workouts are also always challenging! I love challenging workouts as it puts you out of your comfort zone and challenges you to do your best.

How has coming to WeBarre impacted you?
I think WeBarre’s positive vibes have rubbed off on me! I am so much more positive now as compared to in the past. Even my husband-to-be says so!

Fast forward to almost a year after joining WeBarre, I have definitely gotten stronger physically and mentally. I can still remember how I started my initial barre lessons using the 0.5 kg weights for the arm sequence and how it tired my arms so much, but I have moved on to using the 1 kg weights now! I have gotten stronger mentally too – not just when doing barre workouts but pretty much everything else in life.

I also signed up for the WeBarre November 2017 Instructor Training Course and this is yet another milestone with WeBarre – an opportunity to grow and learn and to step out of my own comfort zone to be a better version of myself.

The post #WeBarreStory – Qiao Xuan appeared first on WeBarre.

Hey Liza! How did you discover barre, and how has this complemented your active lifestyle?
I have never been a gym person, but I enjoy sports and outdoor activities. In my school days, I played in the netball team and was an active participant in cross-country runs. Even after I started working, I run and play netball with my colleagues. It was through my course of work that I got to know Audrey, who shared what she is doing at WeBarre.

In my first barre trial session, I was asked if I have tried yoga, pilates or ballet. Gosh! I had tried none! Nevertheless, I went through the workout – it was refreshing! I felt stretched out, and received constant guidance from the instructor on how best to train up muscles without building the bulk. After I took my first class, I knew barre is my kind of workout and it has since changed my life!

WeBarre is now part of me. After a few months of hard work, my arms and abs grew more defined! I now go for classes 4 – 5 times a week ( barre, HIIT and stretch classes). Through these workouts, my performance in other sports has also improved.

Why did you decide to climb Mount Rinjani?
I have never planned to climb a mountain. However in August 2017, a friend whom I haven’t met for a long time asked if I was interested to join in a climb to Mount Rinjani in November same year. I took up the challenge! It was a 4D3N climb.

I started googling on Mount Rinjani. It is the second highest volcano (3726m above sea level) in Indonesia with difficulty level of 8/10 according to Trip Canvas.

To prepare for this climb, I continued with my usual routine of barre, HIIT, stretch and running, along with a trekking trip to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve with my girl climbing ‘kakis’ (companions).

What was the experience like climbing up the mountain?
We started the climb on day 2 around 10am from a base level of 1000m. The first pitch was at 2600m, which we reached around 6pm. We attempted the summit climb at 230am. Other than the darkness and the steep slopes, the least I expected was the volcanic ashes which formed the slopes. Every step I made, I slid down two.

Only some of us managed to reach the summit. The last 300m was the toughest which seemed like a never-ending path. It was a mental challenge given the sliding down effect of the volcanic ash.

The summit was just one-third of the journey. After the summit, we had to descend to the lake. In the whole 4D3N trip, there was a lot of climbing up and down the mountain with exposure to different terrains, which demanded lots of balancing.

To undertake such a climb, you need to have strong legs and core muscles to balance, and here is how I feel WeBarre workouts have helped me. I was able to enjoy this trip as I was in tip-top physical condition, thanks to barre classes.

How has WeBarre impacted your life?
What I truly love about this happy place is the fun-loving and dedicated instructors. It has also introduced me to an amazing community of women who keep me inspired. Special mention to Anabel and Meaghan who have seen how much I have grown stronger and fitter. They always motivate and challenge me knowing how much I can take. Without them I would not have made it this far!

Congratulations to Liza for being awarded with a brand new Fitbit Alta HR for completing 500 WeBarre classes! Well done, Liza!

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