Because of the ballet association, people sometimes assume that barre classes are solely about dance. In fact, these sessions are ideal for anyone who wants a full-body, results-focused workout.
So why should you start training like a ballerina? Well, professional dancers have to be super-strong, supple and fit in order to pirouette, plié and pas de trois their way through nightly performances.
Barre fitness is more about training than actual dancing. The truth is that the ballet bar is mainly used as a prop in barre classes to help you to support your body weight and target your legs in a specific way.
Often described as a combination of ballet, Pilates, and yoga, barre fitness uses a series of targeted, repetitive, low-impact movements that work to burn fat and sculpt muscles – quickly!
Still need convincing? Here are more of the undeniable advantages of barre classes.
Barre sessions suit all ages and fitness levels
Barre classes can be done by anyone regardless of their level of fitness or strength… or their age! The nature of the exercises mean that instructors are always able to modify the moves that they’re demonstrating, allowing you to adapt the exercises to meet your fitness level. Movements can be restricted or expanded in their range of motion to suit your specific needs.
Barre is low-impact, making it great for those with special requirements
Since barre fitness is very low impact, barre classes are a great way to ease yourself into exercise after surgery, an injury or during pregnancy. The type of exercises performed – small and very controlled – reduce pressure on your joints, ligaments, tendons and spine.
Barre classes increase endurance
In a barre class, the movements are very, very small with numerous repetitions, squeezes and pulses (known as isometric moves). These are designed to push your muscles to their absolute limit and increase your endurance over time.
Doing barre helps create toned and sculpted muscles
These tiny, micro movements also work to burn fat, build muscle and sculpt your body quickly. The movements target all of the smaller muscles in your legs, butt, abs, arms, and back. By strengthening each muscle group, not only are you toning the entire body, but you’re building strength in the muscles that are underdeveloped too.
Barre classes will give you a strong core
Barre is great for giving you a core of steel – in just about every exercise in the class, your core muscles are engaged and challenged. Thanks to modern life, the core often becomes weak as we spend hours hunched over a computer or sitting down. This can result in problems like back pain and poor posture. As your core gets stronger, you’ll notice your posture will improve – you’ll sit and stand much taller – and your back will feel less painful.
Doing barre will improve your flexibility
Barre classes almost always include stretching sessions that will help to improve your range of motion and reduce the risk of injury. Tight muscles are associated with back pain and poor posture and stretching them out in class will help to relieve stress and pain.
You’ll never outgrow barre classes
Just as barre can be modified to be easier, small adjustments will make it even harder as you get stronger and stronger. You will never plateau or not find it challenging as you add more resistance or weights, increase the tempo, and boost intensity in a number of different ways.
With such incredible benefits, it is easy to see why people are loving barre. Try out a class at a David Lloyd Club near you and see the results for yourself.
