Pure Barre: Why I Keep Coming Back to Level 2 Fun | Wellness Spotlight | Vol. 2
A friend recently introduced me to the concept of Level 1, 2, and 3 Fun — and it completely reframed how I think about movement, design, and even hosting. Apparently this comes from the world of outdoor adventure, but leave it to a Designer to find some way to frame it in lifestyle terms. I love to camp, I’ll tell you about that sometime. Here is the breakdown:
Level 1 Fun: Fun during and after. Think: cocktails with friends, a dinner party that flows effortlessly, or flipping through vintage vinyl. Instant joy.
Level 2 Fun: Not so fun in the moment…but rewarding after. It’s tough, sweaty, sometimes uncomfortable — but you walk away feeling accomplished.
Level 3 Fun: The kind that’s not fun during, and honestly, not fun after either. (For me: organizing a junk drawer - it never ends - or driving across town in Austin traffic. Hard pass.)
My wellness routine usually prioritizes Pilates and yoga, but every so often I throw a Pure Barre class into the mix. Barre is the ultimate Level 2 Fun: mentally tough, physically challenging, and guaranteed to make my legs shake. During class, I’m just trying to survive the endless holds and micro-movements — but afterward, I feel super strong, like I’ve put in real, gritty work.
What I love about Pure Barre is that they’ve built a nationwide presence, which makes it easy to find a class whether I’m in Austin or traveling. Plus, my early years in ballet give me a little edge — the muscle memory of pliés and pointed toes helps me power through.
Here’s the bonus: barre trains all those small stabilizing muscles in your core and back. Which means when I’m on my feet for hours prepping for a dinner party — chopping, stirring, setting the table — I don’t get as drained. Hosting takes endurance, and barre quietly builds that in the background.
And honestly? Sometimes I catch myself doing barre-inspired moves at home — usually in the kitchen while I’m cooking. A quick relevé while waiting for the pasta water to boil? Why not.
For me, barre is the reminder that not everything has to feel easy to be worth it. Level 2 Fun is the sweet spot where effort transforms into strength — whether in a workout, in entertaining, or in creating a home that truly lasts.
