How does a superhuman Olympic athlete recover from the games? If you’re Michael Phelps, you head to barre class, apparently. (Most of us go to barre class to recover from a heavy brunch, but y’know, different strokes.)
Phelps, who won an impressive six medals in Rio this summer, joined his fiancé Nicole Johnson for a session at Barre3 in Scottsdale, Arizona over the weekend. Of course, the event was documented on Instagram (because did you even take a trendy workout class if you don’t post about it on social media?)
”Had fun watching [Phelps] get through [Barre3],” Johnson wrote in the caption.
Despite the implication that Phelps may have struggled with the class, the swimmer’s effort is certainly commendable. Barre workouts are a great way to sneak in some strength training. Classes usually focus on slow, repetitive movements and target key muscle groups like your core and arms. And it likely will pay off: Research shows that strength workouts can promote good bone health and improve your balance.
The Olympic athlete joins the ranks of Kelly Ripa and Zooey Deschanel who also appreciate a little barre as part of their exercise regimen. It’s a good way to keep physical activity fresh (which can help keep a person motivated and on-track with working out).
Props to Phelps for giving the practice a go. But, of course, we also appreciate his dominance in the water, too.
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