Logan Hutt Brings Bootybarre to Midtown Chicago
A new addition to the Midtown Athletic Club in Chicago fall group exercise schedule, which debuts on October 1, is bootybarre, the high-energy, barre-based workout that fuses techniques from dance, Pilates, and yoga to help you tone, define, and chisel your entire body.
One of top bootybarre instructors worldwide is Master Trainer Logan Hutt, and we are incredibly fortunate to have Logan joining the club's Group Exercise team beginning next month. Logan has been a BASI Pilates instructor since 2006, and a bootybarre Master Trainer for four years. She’s traveled all over the world (including Egypt, China, Jordan) to teach bootybarre certification courses.
Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you became interested in bootybarre.
Logan: I’m originally from Chicago. My mother was a professional dancer, and dance has been a part of my life since I was quite young. I’ve practiced Pilates since the age of 12. For 18 years, I lived in Los Angeles and worked as a dancer and an actress. I operated my performing arts school there and taught ballet for 10 of those years. I’ve also taught bootybarre to ballet dancers for years. I decided it was time to come home to Chicago, so I sold my business, and here I am.
Q: What initially intrigued you about bootybarre?
Logan: bootybarre is one of the most biomechanically safe workouts out there. I’ve taken lots of barre classes over the years, and yet after taking one bootybarre class, I was impressed with how approachable it is for people of all ages and abilities. We refer to bootybarre as the “anti-tucking workout.” (“Tuck” refers to the position where your booty isn’t sticking out, but scooped under.) We always practice a neutral spine, and the workout has been approved by a team of physical therapists. Bootybarre was even created at a physical therapy and Pilates studio!
Q: Why do you think the bootybarre workout has become so popular?
Logan: It’s a smart, accessible workout that incorporates both Pilates and ballet techniques, and this appeals to a lot of people. Bootybarre is low-impact, yet high-intensity, and those who take this class will notice a rapid change in their body. This is a workout that a large demographic of people can feel comfortable engaging in without risk of injury. There’s no jumping in bootybarre, and any movement can be modified. Anyone can take a class. My classes are filled with those 12-80 years old.
Q: What do you like best about teaching bootybarre?
Logan: Teaching bootybarre is the most fun I’ve ever had. It’s an amazing workout because people don’t realize they’re working out. The music is pumping. I’m moving non-stop right along with my class, without a break. And before I know, the class is over.
Q: Why do you think bootybarre is superior to other barre workouts?
Logan: In bootybarre classes, we “work neutral” with regard to anatomy and physiology. It’s a workout that makes sense to improve daily living. There’s no tucking, because people don’t move that way in daily life. Active movement is important. A functional training workout, like bootybarre, allows you to be healthier in day-to-day life.
Q: Why should someone who has never taken a barre class try bootybarre?
Logan: It’s a completely accessible workout. The class isn’t intimidating, like some other Group Exercise classes might be. Bootybarre combines multiple workouts, including Pilates, yoga, stretching, and barre, into one. The fusion experience is so beneficial.
Also, bootybarre is a consistent workout. The exercises aren’t always the same, but they are always performed in the same order, which allows people to become comfortable more quickly. They they know what movement to expect next. It’s a clean format to learn and understand.
Q: What are you most looking forward to at Midtown?
Logan: Bootybarre isn’t as big in Chicago as it is in other cities just yet. I’m so excited to introduce a fantastic workout to a new audience. Fresh faces and fresh energy fuel my passion for this workout.
Logan will team-teach WERQ (she’s also a Master WERQ Trainer) and Barre Sculpt classes through September, while training our instructors in bootybarre. Beginning on October 1, when our fall schedule debuts, Logan will teach her own classes.
When you see Logan in the club, welcome her to Midtown. We’re so happy she’s here, and we can’t wait to debut bootybarre in just a few short weeks.
Get ready.