Barre combines ballet inspired work with other styles of training such as pilates, dance, yoga and strength training. This class uses the ballet bar as support – focusing on repetition of exercises in small ranges of movement. Barre helps improve balance, stability, and strength, working on smaller muscle groups and core strength.

But the real difference between Barre and other workouts are the isometric movements you perform throughout class – holding your body still while you contract specific muscles, until you shake and feel the burn!

Barre classes usually start with a warm up and sequence of upper-body exercises, which include free weights, push-ups, and other exercises that target the arms, chest and back muscles. Next, you’ll move to the ballet barre using your own body weight for resistance to focus on the legs, thighs and glute muscles.

Some classes also use resistance bands and light hand weights to make the class tougher and help build more lean muscle.

And like most classes, the class ends on the mat focusing purely on core strengthening exercises before a yoga-inspired cool-down!

Barre delivers a full body workout, but it’s particularly great for strengthening your core and toning your glutes and legs. Ballet Barre is lower impact than other classes, making it a great workout if you are recovering from an injury! Class is also easily modified so that they are a safe workout option for pre- or post-natal clients. It’s also an amazing workout to pair with other high intensity exercises as they strengthen the muscles needed for these exercises without being too stressful on the body!

Other main benefits of Barre:

- Improves posture
- Strengthens glutes
- Tones stomach muscles
- Increases flexibility
- Reduces stress
- Increases mental focus
- Increases overall strength
- Improves endurance

There are a lot of different types of barre classes – from cardio barre (where traditional barre moves are paired with a full-on cardio workout), to HIIT barre (which is similar to cardio barre, but an even higher intensity!), as well as Yoga and Pilates inspired barre classes where the focus is on stretching and relaxing rather than completely burning out your muscles.

Celebrities love Barre! The fitness craze started in LA with A-list celebrities like Jessica Alba, Olivia Palermo, Drew Barrymore, Zooey Deschanel, Natalie Portman and Dakota Fanning all taking up Barre classes. Victoria’s Secret Angels also incorporate Barre in their regular fitness routines!

Those who do Barre workouts regularly say that it takes just a few classes to start seeing a difference in your body. And in going to these classes regularly, you’re likely to see increased strength and a move toned physique! Barre workouts highly contribute to improvements in balance, flexibility, posture, and core strength. It’s also most effective when pairing Barre with other types of workouts like yoga, HIIT training, and strength training!