Katie Campbell, 30, is a Pure Barre and Pilates enthusiast who just reached her 500 class milestone after nearly five years of practicing. Katie began attending Pure Barre with a coworker in August 2020, initially drawn to the low-impact, non-heated class options. As a previous hot yoga student, Katie sought a similar mind and body connection but with less sweat and more consistency between classes.
Katie loves that the “Classic” Pure Barre option has the same foundations each time: a warm-up, stretch, three thigh exercises, three seat exercises, a core series, and a cool down. Though the specific exercises may vary, Katie’s self-proclaimed type-A personality appreciates knowing what general structure to expect before she walks in.
Katie, who works in finance at Memphis Capital, enjoys Pure Barre to break up her work day, relieve stress, and return to work feeling more clear-headed and ready to focus. “Mentally, Pure Barre is an outlet to release tension and stress. I know the instructors and the noon class attendees, so I love being able to stay fit while getting a good workout in and chatting with the other women in class!”
Aside from the regimented class structure, Katie appreciates the care and attention the instructors give each student. They know everyone by name, take note of any injuries or modifications needed, and provide tips and feedback to ensure all students maintain perfect form — always with a calm, direct, and helpful energy. Some of Katie’s favorite moments in Pure Barre are locking into the beat of a loud Drake playlist, inducing shakes using Velcro tube props, and engaging in an intense core series. During her nearly five years at Pure Barre, Katie has become knowledgeable in the form and postures of Barre and feels accomplished when she can check and correct her form and find that it aligns with what the instructor is teaching.
Within the past year, Katie began Reformer Pilates with her dear friend and Pilates instructor Melissa Meadows, who teaches privately out of her home studio. She has found that Barre and Pilates movements work well together to give a full-body, well-rounded fitness practice. Outside her practice at Pure Barre and Pilates, you can find Katie walking her corgi Frankie all over Memphis, cheering on the Grizzlies, or planning her next trip, where she often enjoys checking out the local fitness studios. Though she is a creature of habit, Katie looks forward to venturing out of her typical “Classic” Pure Barre routine and trying other styles of Barre, like their “Empower” cardio-focused class.
Purebarre.com
By Zoe Harrison
Photo by Tindall Stephens
