A new workout studio opens in time for New Year resolutions
This holiday season, the fitness chain Pure Barre is getting ready to open a studio in Sammamish, the first in this area. The soft opening on Dec. 26 will start with three days of free classes for members who have already signed up, followed by three days of free introductory classes for anyone interested.
Pure Barre will offer instructor-led group sessions in five different class formats. These are high-intensity, low-impact, full-body workouts with small movements that help build strength and tone while being soft on joints. The workouts are appropriate for all age groups starting at 16, according to Swapna Bavanaka, co-owner of the Sammamish franchise.
Those interested in trying the program will have an option to sign up for a founding membership, which includes unlimited classes at a 35% lifetime discount for $129 per month. The regular rate for unlimited classes will be $199 a month once the promotion ends at an unspecified future date.
Pure Barre has over 600 studios nationwide. The Sammamish studio, located on the first floor underneath SKY Apartments in the Sammamish Village complex, could face competition from other fitness studios that are in close proximity, such as YogaSix and OrangeTheory.
Bavanaka is confident that this area has enough demand to help her business succeed. She believes that fitness routines do not follow a “one-size-fits-all” model. She is targeting a niche clientele with unique workout routines in a boutique-like setting. Class sizes are limited to 26, allowing each customer to get personal attention from the trainers.
Bavanaka believes that the mind-body connections that develop through fitness routines help everyone bring their complete self to their home or workplace. Her vision is to inspire others in her community to be on their fitness journey with this connection.
“I found myself motivated towards encouraging and inspiring others to take care of themselves and achieve their fitness goals. I am here to bring people along on their fitness journey,” said Bavanaka. “If I am able to inspire or help someone be on their fitness journey even for a short period of time, I count that as success.”
Bavanaka is handpicking her staff to deliver on this vision. Four of her staff members have had fitness turnaround journeys of their own through Pure Barre’s workouts.
Inspired to give back to the community, 29-year-old Shasta Rizzi, a Pure Barre Bellevue studio member, is currently training to teach at the Sammamish location. A back surgery in 2013 had prevented Rizzi from doing any form of impact exercises, including running. After about four years of trying different fitness regimens, Rizzi chanced upon Pure Barre in 2017.
“This was the first routine where I was getting a good workout without the impact. I wasn’t putting my body at risk. Furthermore, I was stabilizing all the muscles that would help prevent me from getting injuries in the future,” said Rizzi.
She ran a marathon two years later and has been able to incorporate her love of fitness into her current lifestyle.
Tamara Onofre, the general manager for the Sammamish studio, is passionate about health and wellness for people of all ages, especially women. She went through a major leg surgery for a chronic medical condition and had to learn how to walk again for six months post-surgery. Pure Barre exercises played a key role in building her strength back up.
Bavanaka, Rizzi and Onofre all seek to inspire the Sammamish community to embark on their own fitness goals in the new year.
Different membership options for Pure Barre will be available with the soft opening scheduled for Dec. 26. The Sammamish studio is located at 22526 SE 4th Street, Suite A204.
