3 min
Barre classes are one of the largest growing trends in the world of health and fitness.
There are quite a few reasons for this, which we’ll dive into in more detail below, but it starts with just one: not only can anyone do it, but anyone can get a great workout from it at the same time.
What’s not to love? Read on for all the reasons that people are going crazy for barre workouts!
Barre benefits you didn’t know (yet)
Barre is a total body workout that focuses on core strength, balance, posture, flexibility and coordination. The idea is to build strength and muscle in a low-impact way.
You will most likely also notice elements of yoga and other dance techniques in a common barre class, as all of these elements come together in a natural, functional way - put to music! Named for the ballet bars used, “barre” is a reference to the supportive handrail commonly used in ballet training. Sometimes simple exercise equipment is also involved, like light weights, bands, or mini weighted balls, depending on the class.
It’s Fun!
People are also loving barre classes because they are fun! If that’s not a great reason to get involved, I don’t know what is!
You get the camaraderie of a class put to upbeat music with motivating instructors, and you’ll forget you’re even exercising! The workout changes from class to class, along with the choreography, so you can be sure neither you nor your muscles will get bored.
Tone Up your Muscles
A traditional barre workout includes lots of iso-holds (short for isometric, meaning a static, non-moving contraction of the muscle), short range of movement exercises, as well as larger full-body functional movements that work together to not only provide a great burn and a challenging workout but also lessen the risk of injury that comes along with some of the more high intensity fitness classes that are popular today.
The combination of these movements provides endurance training while also working to strengthen and “tone” the muscles.
It Strenghtens your Core
Barre has its roots in both ballet as well as pilates, and you will quickly see the similarities in the movements that focus on balance and flexibility. These core-strengthening exercises will not only help you carve out those abs, but have some pretty important functional benefits as well, like alleviating back pain, aiding in proper posture, and helping you to move better in your everyday life.
[caption id=“attachment_12245” align=“aligncenter” width=“701”]
Designed by master1305 / Freepik[/caption]
You Won’t Get Bored
There are also a slew of types of barre classes so you can really find something that fits your personal style and taste for fitness. Some are higher energy and more cardio-focused while others might focus on strength training or super low-impact exercises. Make sure to check with your local gym or barre studio to see what types of classes they offer.
In-person barre classes can be on the expensive side, but most studios have a variety of membership options so you can choose one that fits into your fitness schedule and your budget. You could also opt for an at-home barre class or some other form of video-based class. If you end up really loving the class itself, it might be worth it to invest in a membership to your local studio.
Barre is for everyone as any and all fitness levels as well as all ages can get in their daily movement in a low-impact, feel-good way. No prior dance experience is necessary, either.
Each exercise can be made more dynamic and challenging or taken down a notch in order to accommodate each and every person in the class, as instructors are educated in how to make the class challenging and appropriate for everyone.
Don’t forget your grippy-socks and you’re good to go!