The new group fitness class uses the Bala Ring to build strength from the ground up.
A fresh take on your favorite Sculpt class just arrived in the yoga studio.
Barefoot Sculpt: The Ring, a group fitness class designed to build full-body strength and stability with innovative equipment, is now available exclusively at Equinox.
Soft in feel and strong in purpose, the low-impact workout blends functional strength exercises with Pilates and barre-inspired movements, says Karla Beltchenko, Equinox’s senior manager of group fitness programming and media.
The latter formats are often associated with lightweight work, using dumbbells that rarely top 5 pounds. Barefoot Sculpt: The Ring takes the resistance up a notch; the 12-inch rings, made of steel and wrapped in silicone, weigh 8 or 10 pounds. “This is us putting a stake into the ground and starting to introduce a bit more of that functional strength training component in a barefoot class,” says Beltchenko.
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The class is divided into five blocks. Two to three segments incorporate the Bala Ring, while the remainder use a mix of conventional Sculpt equipment, including dumbbells, gliders, mini bands, yoga blocks, Pilates balls, and the Magic Circle. How you wield these tools is up to the instructor’s creativity, but the rep ranges will mirror those found in Pilates and barre classes, with plenty of layering and endurance moments, says Beltchenko.
The ring itself allows for more elegant play than basic dumbbells. Expect to perform some signature movements, like the halo (circling the ring around the head) and sunrise-sunset (framing the body with the ring), she adds.
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As you press, pull, lunge, and squat, you’ll be acutely aware of your feet. Free from cushy footwear, you’ll strengthen your ankles, arches, and other tiny muscles. Build this strong foundation, and you’ll see better balance and proprioception, plus more efficient movement up the kinetic chain, particularly in the knees and hips.
Barefoot Sculpt: The Ring is ideal for those who are seeking to switch up their typical Pilates or barre routine. It also bridges the gap between Sculpt and lifting spaces, which may feel unapproachable for some.
“For someone who is curious about Main Studio classes but is a bit intimidated by some of the heavier weights, I think that this would be like a nice introduction for them to understand more about functional strength,” says Beltchenko. “Maybe they can then eventually dip their toe into some of those classes where there are heavier weights because they start to feel a bit more confident.”
Visit your Club for your first Barefoot Sculpt: The Ring class or follow along with an on-demand class on the EQX+ app.