A former dancer of the singer Rosalía and a jumping athlete lead the cast of teachers in Lapso Studioswith three centers in Barcelona, so it is not surprising that it has become the place par excellence for training – and also for leisure – in the city of Barcelona.
While it is true that the capital sees the opening of a gym almost every day, in Barcelona the pace is slower but consolidated. Lapso Studios was born in 2021 with ‘ride’, ‘indoor cycling’ classes that they carry out with a younger and more modernized concept of traditional spinning, and seeing the success they have thought that why not continue offering disciplines that train us, make us enjoy and They generate endorphins for us. And that is why they have now incorporated barre and functional, two of the activities that are increasing their presence the most.
A different ride
Starting to break down the three classes taught, it should be noted that the stationary bike in a gym itself is not the same as those found in Lapso Studiosand it does not seem to be easy to find the energy that Professor Gerard Capri gives off, who manages to make a session of 45 minutes at all monotonous, pedaling without stopping: «The changes of rhythm, choreographic movements, music and the motivational spirit mean that we never relate ‘hard’ with Lapso». Of course, the advantages of signing up for their classes are the obvious ones of any other session doing ‘cycling’: reinforcing the cardiovascular systemtoning, and what people value most: “a ‘therapeutic’ and self-improvement space,” he says.
If any sporting activity already keeps us away from anxiety and depression, choosing one where there is music and a teacher who speaks – or shouts – with a motivating speech, can be a completely therapeutic session, as Gerard rightly said.
In ‘cycle’ of Lapso Studios Intense physical work is done but, as Gerard Capri indicates, “it is not a frustrating workout and we like to say that ‘the greater the effort, the greater the reward’, and there is always a reward in Lapso.”
When the teacher is asked if his ‘ride’ classes are special compared to the rest taught throughout the country, he assures that the word ‘special’ is what best defines the Lapso classes: «It is a difficult concept to explain. with words, so try it, live it and you will understand!
Barré in Barcelona
Barre is, without a doubt, the most cutting-edge activity of the moment. Although Lapso Studios has several teachers in this discipline, Nhoa Urrestilla is the most recognized face. The reason? She was Rosalía’s dancer, although she does not usually give this information.
«I started dancing in the street, with friends, rewinding video clips that we recorded on VHS tapes. At the age of 16 I enrolled in an urban dance school with the money I earned giving psychomotor classes to young children, and that’s where everything began in a more academic way,” says the barré expert, who practically, even if it was on the street without no one instructing her, she started dancing there.
However, the Covid era, as for most of society, marked a before and after. «The transition first goes through Lapso. I got into the world of indoor cycling without having a clue because I wanted to leave the house. And I got hooked. I later discovered barre, and it was something very organic, since it was born from a dancer. Barre is a workout with roots in ballet (adding functional training, Pilates), and for me it is like being at home,” says the expert.
Nhoa Urrestilla indicates that having studied dance all her life has facilitated her later practice of barré: «I know my bodythe positions, the balances, the weights… and from there I investigated the fitness world to understand how to work with different elements such as weights, leagues, blocks, etc. “I did training with a Mexican school and also with a center in London.”
Without rest
Although it is a non-stop class that exercises every muscle in the body, barre is aimed at all types of audiences. Nhoa Urrestilla says that the root work is with your own body, so everyone can set their own pace. «For me the benefits go beyond the physical: understanding the body, strengthening it, knowing activate muscles“, having control over your center… are tools that help you in your daily life, that make you feel better.” The teacher affirms that many of the questions we ask ourselves reside in our body, “and when you start to move it, the body speaks and unlocks those answers; You start to understand yourself better. Body and mind go together and the sweep helps strengthen that bond».
This barré is also different from the others you have been able to try: «Our focus is not only the body, but is on the union of it with the mind. All Lapso ‘coaches’ are dancers, for us movement is an expression and something that goes beyond the merely physical,” she says.
For Nhoa, a toned, healthy body, with strength, resistance… is a consequence of mental work, of deciding to take care of yourself, love yourself and be well. «Our difference lies in this, and in playing loud music that motivates you and makes you enter a dynamic where there is no stop, but a process, a continuous ‘flow’ to the rhythm of the ‘beat’. It’s an immersion,” he explains. Also these classes are 45 minutes where you forget about the outside and are focused on yourself.
A more feminine discipline
Although men and women are seen in ‘ride’ and functional, in barre it is difficult for the male sex to sign up. This happens, apparently, because it is related to ballet: “I always tell them that before putting on weight, they have to learn to use their own,” he says. Understanding your body, knowing how to position it, knowing how to activate your muscles, is key to anything you want to do, therefore, for her it is a very good physical base just as I tell women that doing strength work is essential.
There are still very strong stereotypes and erroneous ideas that by exerting strength you will get very big or that gaining weight is for boys. Any well-done training is good and you have to adjust it to your objectives. “If you want to put your ego aside, grab a bar and accept being in a place that may be uncomfortable at first, but that you will appreciate later,” he says.
In Nhoa’s classes you hear dancehall, hiphop and a little bit of techno. “Depending on where I focus my work, or the exercise I want to do, I go with one rhythm or another, but always music that motivates me,” he says. As he has already said, you have to fully immerse yourself and music is essential to take you to that other place where nothing else exists, just you, your mat mates and your coach.
#method #gaining #strength #laughing #exceeding #limits
