Barre3 hosts free outdoor class at SC State House Sept. 19

A mix of ballet and namaste could have more than 1,000 people feeling the burn in front of the S.C. State House this weekend.

Barre3 Columbia, located at 3000 Rosewood Drive, Suite 6, is hosting a free one-hour fitness class Saturday, Sept. 19. Owner Lauren Truslow described the workout as part ballet, part yoga and part Pilates.

The class, with the help of microphones and speakers, will be held on the lawn at the State House, 110 Gervais St., as a part of the Barre3 company’s “In the Park” campaign, Truslow said.

Most franchises will host small events in parks, but she said she wanted to have hers in an area special to the city, and the State House happened to be the perfect location.

“It was just a really neat backdrop,” she said. “We want to do this every year. It was just a neat way to kind of bring everybody together. Everybody likes to be outside.”

Barre3 Columbia held its first “In the Park” event last year, right before the studio opened, attracting about 300 people.

Truslow said she is expecting a much larger crowd this year; about 1,500 people have RSVP’d “yes” to the Facebook event. No registration is required to attend.

Barre3 classes typically include the use of exercise equipment, such as a ballet barre and resistance bands. But Saturday’s participants will only need to bring an exercise mat, a bottle of water and themselves.

“We’ve modified it so you’re still going to get a rocking workout,” she said. “Really, your body is your best tool anyway.”

Even beyond 30 weeks pregnant with twins, Truslow said she still participates in classes, and she invites people of all ages and genders to attend.

“We have some of our friends bringing their kids and husbands,” she said. “It really is for everyone. Everyone can focus on themselves … and make sure fitness is a part of their daily life.”

The class also offers modifications for moves to accommodate those with physical limitations.

The event also will feature a goal station for people to focus on their health, prizes, snacks and special offers.

Truslow said the first 750 people to come to the event will receive a card for a free class at its location, just as construction at its second studio room wraps up.

“We are going to be prepared, for sure,” she said.

This story was originally published September 15, 2015 at 6:22 PM.