Published on : 10-Apr-2024
5 min read
Update on : 03-Jul-2024
Update on : 03-Jul-2024
Welcome, readers! Are you looking for a workout that tones and strengthens from the comfort of your living room? Barre workouts are ballet-based dance workouts that have soared in popularity over the past five years. They combine a variety of exercises: ballet, Pilates, yoga, and HIIT.
It would be hard not to have heard the buzz about barre workouts, given that barre studios can be found almost anywhere. Maybe you have listened to friends gushing about the intense “burn” they feel during their favourite barre class.
The great thing about barre is that moves are low-impact and don’t require equipment—just a chair or countertop can act as your barre. Are you worried about not having a background in dance? You can put that worry to rest because barre is a great workout for all fitness levels, and no dance experience is required.
Here's a guide to barre straight from seasoned instructors. It includes the ins and outs of barre, what to expect in a barre class, the many physical and mental benefits, and how to add it to your fitness program. Read on to know more!
Table Of Contents
1. What Are Barre Workouts?
2. Benefits Of Barre Workouts
3. Bare Workouts At Home
4. Tips To Stay Safe While Doing Barre
5. Are Barre Workouts Good For Weight Loss?
6. The Final Say
7. FAQs
8. References
Barre workouts combine strength training, dance, Pilates, and yoga elements to create a unique, graceful, and energetic workout. Fueled by upbeat music, they typically incorporate small, isometric movements that sculpt and strengthen the entire body.
It’s a low-impact workout that’s not overly aerobic, so it doesn’t overstress the heart. And because it can be easily modified, it’s a good option for most people.
In fact, the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) notes that many find barre more beginner-friendly than yoga and Pilates, as the basic poses are very simple.
Barre classes typically use a wall-mounted barre for support and balance. While some classes use additional props like hand weights, a playground ball, or resistance bands, barre classes rely less on resistance equipment and instead use your body weight as the machinery.
The exercise method known today as barre comes from the Lotte Berk Method, which was created by a German dancer in the 1950s. Berk created a series of exercises that combined physical movements and principles from ballet barre work, rehabilitative therapy, and her own unique movements, Becker says.
The workouts gained popularity not only among dancers but also non-dancers, and when a student of Berk’s opened a studio in New York City in the 1970s, barre was born in the United States.
Once again, fitness fans flocked to this workout. It became wildly popular with sophisticated, elegant, fit female New Yorkers of all ages looking for an injury-free toning workout. Women were addicted to the simplicity and rigour of barre and its unique way of transforming the female body.
Since then, various fitness professionals have adapted barre workouts, creating many different barre fitness programs. Today, barre is a widely practised workout format worldwide, with its foundation still rooted in ballet-inspired movements.
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Here are some of the important benefits of barre workouts that you must know:
Most exercises are known to reduce stress and boost endorphins, but the mind-body connection formed due to barre workouts is unparalleled. When you focus on small muscle movements and maintain your form, your mind doesn't wander.
By lifting onto your toes, squatting, straightening, tucking, and pulsing, barre helps you stay fully present and mindful. Stress tends to dissipate when you are entirely in the moment like that.
Barre is a form of resistance training that helps increase lean muscle mass and strength. Most traditional workouts rely on intensity or external resistance to build muscles, but barre improves strength with volume and repetition.
Your upper body is paramount in every barre position. This exercise regimen helps create straighter backs and shoulders. No matter what muscle groups you focus on throughout your workout, you will be reminded to lengthen your spine and pull your shoulders down.
If you want to increase your flexibility and range of motion, barre workouts are an excellent way. Flexibility is the ability to stretch and lengthen the soft tissue like muscles, ligaments and tendons. Range of motion is how you can move your body parts surrounding a joint without pain.
For example, you may not be able to touch your toes right at the beginning of the barre, but after working to increase your range of motion, you might find it easier.
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Below is a list of barre workouts with their respective equipment requirements:
This exercise opens the inner thighs, latissimus dorsi, shoulders, chest and abs and warms up the hips and thighs. It's a great warmup to hit many areas that are tight on those working behind a desk. If you don’t have long to warm up, this is a fantastic place to start.
How To Do It?
The truth is that many of us lack the profound core control to perform core movements with our legs fully extended. The straighter your legs are, the heavier they will feel on your abs. This sneaky-hard position will give you more control and allow you to feel the transverse ab and hip flexor work we’re looking for here.
How To Do It?
You can work the glute, hamstring, and core from hands and knees even if you don’t have access to a barre. This movement's most challenging and most important part is not allowing your lower back to arch and your belly to drop toward the floor.
How To Do It?
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Tricep work hits the back of the arms and can also work your core, shoulders, and back in this position. Tricep strength supports stability through the arms and shoulders and assists you with daily activities like pushing and pulling.
How To Do It?
Also Read: Boost Your Arm Strength With The Best Workout Plan For Biceps At Home!
While barre is a relatively safe activity, there’s always a chance of injury. To stay safe, follow these tips:
Start With Body Weight | Many barre classes incorporate light weights. However, stick to your body weight when you are just starting. Barre uses low-weight and high repetitions, which your body may need to be used to when you first start taking classes. If you introduce weights too quickly, you can increase your risk of pain and injury. Wait until your body has acclimated to the demands of barre before adding resistance. |
Focus On Your Form | Correct form is crucial in every workout, even more so in barre. Barre involves repetitive exercises, and if you do not use good form, your risk of injury significantly increases. Taking an in-person barre class when you’re starting is a good idea. This way, the instructor can watch your form and offer tips. Allow for rest and recovery. |
Warm Up For A Barre Workout | Warm-ups are a customary part of any barre workout class. For example, Driessea’s warm-ups typically include a light cardiovascular routine that incorporates foundational ballet movements like pliés (bending the knees with heels on or off the floor and toes pointed outward) and relevés (rising onto the toes or balls of the feet). |
Also Read: Discover The Best Muscle-Building Exercises With Workout Routine & Benefits
Jumping into a new workout style can be intimidating, and barre — a combination of Pilates, ballet, and yoga — is no exception. But rest assured, barre can easily accommodate anyone, regardless of fitness level or dance background (or lack thereof).
Barre workouts offer a low-impact way to build muscular endurance and strength while improving posture and mobility. Are you ready to start your barre journey?
Before adding barre to your routine, start with small steps and focus on perfecting your form and alignment. As you progress, watch your body grow stronger and longer. If you are looking for a low-impact fitness workout that still packs a punch, barre is recommended. You don't have to be a prima ballerina to take part.
FAQs
1. What is barre pilates?
Barre class is a workout technique inspired by some elements of ballet, yoga, and Pilates. It mainly focuses on low-impact, high-intensity movements that strengthen your body differently.
2. What are the best barre exercises?
Here are the best barre fitness workout exercises:
3. Is barre good for weight loss?
The level of intensity of barre can make it a good workout option for anyone hoping to shed a few pounds. A barre workout can burn around 300-400 calories for an individual who weighs 155 pounds.
4. Is barre OK for beginners?
Barre is a low-impact workout suitable for all fitness levels, including beginners. It can be a perfect option for returning to training after pregnancy or injury.
References
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