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Hi, it’s Maria —  Valentine’s Day gets us thinking about relationships. The ones that last. The ones that don’t. And the ones we learned the most from. But one of the most overlooked relationships in our lives is the one we have with where we work out. The studio you choose becomes the place you show up on your hardest days. It shapes how you move, how you recover, and how you treat your body over time. And after years of taking classes, teaching, and building BARE, I’ve lear

Hi, it’s Maria — and before we talk about abs, let’s talk about everything else you’re actually building in class. Because yes, you’re getting stronger. Yes, your core is working. And sure, abs might eventually make an appearance. But some of the most important things you’re walking out with have nothing to do with what you see in the mirror. One of the first quiet skills people build is patience. Slow Resistance Training has a way of humbling even the most motivated person

Hi, it’s Maria — And if you have ever wondered what happens before an instructor walks into the studio, puts on a mic, and welcomes you into the space, here is the honest answer: a lot more than people realize. At BARE, every instructor has their own method of teaching. Different voices, different styles, different ways of building and guiding a class. That intentional. There is no single routine that everyone follows and no one size fits all approach to teaching. That said,

Hi, it’s Maria — When you spend your days teaching, cueing, correcting, encouraging, and quietly observing people move their bodies, you start to notice things that have very little to do with fitness and everything to do with being human. I don’t just see muscles working. I see hesitation. I see self-d oubt show up the moment something feels unfamiliar. I see people start negotiating with themselves the second a movement becomes challenging. That is exactly why, in my classe

Hi, it’s Maria — and lately I’ve been thinking about something... When we’re kids, everyone around us is obsessed with making sure we grow. We sign kids up for dance, soccer, football, karate, theatre, piano, swim lessons, tutoring, you name it. Not because we expect perfection, but because we want them to: • learn • move • build confidence • try hard things • develop discipline • and discover what they’re capable of We clap when they wobble. We cheer when they mess up and tr

Hi, it’s Maria — and listen, I think we’re finally all on the same page about something: January 1st does not magically turn us into new, organized, emotionally stable, early-rising, green-juice-drinking versions of ourselves. We know this now. We’ve lived enough New Years to see the pattern. The fireworks go off, the ball drops, we wake up the next morning… and we’re still us. Same personality. Same habits. Same quirks. Same desire to stay in bed for 10 more minutes. And hon

Hi, it’s Maria —  and as we step into our first full year together as a studio, I wanted to start us off with something meaningful. Not a list of resolutions. Not extreme goals. Not the pressure to transform overnight. One word. A word we can grow into, return to, and feel connected by all year long. A word sets the tone without setting a trap. It gives direction without demanding perfection. It becomes a reminder, not a rulebook. And after reflecting on the conversations

Hi, it’s Maria —  checking in during the most chaotic, glitter-covered, peppermint-fueled week of the entire year. You know… the week where time stops making sense, everyone forgets what day it is, and we collectively try to do twelve days’ worth of magic in about three. And somewhere between the baking, wrapping, shopping, cleaning, cooking, traveling, hosting, and attending every gathering we’ve been invited to since 2018… we start to lose the plot. Not the Christmas plot —

Hi, it’s Maria — and every December, without fail, I watch all of us slowly unravel into slightly unhinged versions of ourselves. Not in a dramatic“ everything is falling apart” way… more like a “why am I suddenly triple-booked and eating peppermint bark for breakfast?” way. December has a personality of its own. It pulls you in five directions at once, hands you a to-do list you definitely didn’t agree to, and somehow convinces you that you can maintain a social life, a work

Hi, it’s Maria 👋 — and welcome back to your weekly Naked Truth, because this one needs to be said out loud: not everything you see on social media is real. I know, shocking. Earth-shattering. Groundbreaking news. But also… something we all know and still somehow forget the second we start scrolling. One minute you’re minding your business, and the next you’re looking at someone else’s perfectly curated morning routine, their flawless workout, their color-coordinated life,

Hi, it’s Maria 👋 — and here’s the brutally honest naked truth about December: It comes in hot. One second you’re lighting a candle thinking, wow, I’m really in my cozy seasonal era, and the next you’re staring at your calendar wondering how you accidentally agreed to eight different holiday things in the same week. We all know December can be a lot. But here’s something I don’t think women say out loud enough: We’re allowed to protect our joy. Because let’s call it what it i

Hi, it’s Maria 👋—and because it’s Thanksgiving week, let’s go ahead and address the yearly nonsense we pretend is normal. Every year the same phrases show up like: “Better get a workout in before dinner…" “Better make room for those holiday calories!“I’ll burn it off tomorrow…”Let me be clear: the only thing I’m earning” on Thanksgiving is a spot on the couch after Round 2 of dinner. And while we’re being honest… You will never see me running a Turkey Trot. Ever. The only th

Hi, it’s Maria 👋 — and can we all agree that the holidays are kind of wild? Like somehow we’re expected to be calm, glowing, and full of gratitude… while also juggling travel plans, gift lists, family drama, and remembering which casserole dish is yours. Let’s be honest: this time of year comes with pressure. Say yes to everything. Be everywhere. Make it all look effortless. But behind the matching pajamas and “just whipped this up” charcuterie boards, most of us are hanging

Hi, it’s Maria 👋—want the actual truth? Comparing yourself to others in class is a total waste of energy. Yep, I said it. We all do it— walk in, glance around, and immediately start making mental notes: She looks so strong. Her outfit’s on point. Wait, how is she not shaking? And then boom—your brain’s gone rogue before class even starts. You’re not focused on your form, your breath, or your strength. You ’re focused on everyone else’s. And for what? Nobody’s giving out med

Hi, it’s Maria 👋—and can we be honest for a second? Finding time for yourself these days feels like trying to find your phone while you’re on a call with it. Between work, errands, family, and the “I’ll just check one email real quick” spiral, your own name barely makes the calendar. But here’s t he thing—you don’t need a full day off or a perfectly color-coded morning routine to feel grounded. You just need 45 minutes. Forty-five minutes to unplug. To breathe. To sweat a li

Hi, it’s Maria 👋 — and here’s something I hear all the time: “I feel so good after class, but what surprises me is how much it carries...

Hi, it’s Maria 👋 — it’s time to be honest: summer comes with way too much pressure. Everywhere you turn, it’s “bikini body this, bikini...

Hi, it’s Maria 👋 —and if there’s one thing I want you to know before stepping into BARE, it’s this: you don’t have to be perfect to...

Hi, it’s me again 👋 —your local source for all things shake, burn, and BARE. Since we’re just getting started together, I want to let...

Hey friends — it’s Maria here! If you know me, you know I’m not one to sugarcoat things. Starting something new? It’s messy. It’s...