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Local Voices

UGA Grad Brings New Fitness Boutique to Athens

ATHENS, Ga. (March 26, 2014) – Look out Athens—thanks to a University of Georgia graduate, there is a new fitness approach to lifting, toning and burning in town. After Connie Popwell, of Memphis, Tenn., discovered the boutique workout Pure Barre, she opened her own studio here in Athens. Since its opening in September 2013, the local Pure Barre studio has become a popular workout spot for the women of Athens and in that short time already won three of Flagpole Magazine's Favorite Services of 2014: Favorite Fitness Instructor, Favorite Adult Classes: Movement and Favorite Place to Get Fit.

Pure Barre is a low-impact, full-body workout that focuses on stretching as much as on strengthening, leading to long, lean muscles without bulk. These classes shape and sculpt a feminine body through small movements that lead to big results.

"For the past seven months, our team has worked diligently to create a clean, positive, genuine and fun atmosphere at Pure Barre Athens that delivers a results-generated workout," studio owner Popwell said. "It is always nice to be rewarded for hard work, and we are thrilled for the recognition."

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Popwell's path to Athens is like many in the Classic City. Drawn to the state by the University of Georgia, the Tennessee native graduated in 2010 with a degree in risk management from the Terry College of Business. After graduation, she explored different paths professionally across the United States, including a stint Jackson Hole, Wyo., where she spent a year and a half biking, hiking and skiing.

In 2011 she returned to Georgia to work in the insurance industry in Atlanta. Working long, hard hours with little time to herself, Popwell needed an outlet to de-stress, refocus and re-energize.

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Pure Barre became the solution.

As a client, Popwell found the Pure Barre approach transformative not only through fitness but outlook.

"During my first introductory month, I developed an understanding of the technique and its terminology which led to results that I had never seen before in my own body. I was hooked!" Popwell said.

That love for Pure Barre and drive to be back in the community-focused environment of Athens led to Popwell's move and opening of one of Athens' first boutique fitness studios.

It's that strong urge to remain an active part of the community, that has made Pure Barre a town favorite so quickly. Pure Barre Athens is not only a budding business to watch because of its ability to change peoples' bodies, but because of its ability to give women a sense of fulfillment and empowerment. To learn more about the many benefits of Pure Barre, visit http://purebarre.com/ga-athens.

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