Barre: The Ballet-Inspired Workout
This gorgeous toning workout gets its name from the horizontal handrail typically installed against a mirrored wall in dance training. Barre incorporates movements and positions found in ballet, such as battements, pliés, and relevés into a cardio routine to tone and strengthen the body, creating a beautiful, low-impact workout that improves strength, balance and posture. No prior dancing experience is required.
“Barre classes are accessible to everybody: the emphasis of the practice is to build strength for optimal movement of all the body’s muscles and joints,” says barre instructor Moriana Kachmarsky. “Barre is a well-rounded, full-body workout. The exercises draw on orthopedic and physiotherapy exercises, as well as stretching, moving to the beat of the music and having fun,” Moriana continues. “Each exercise is modifiable to accommodate clients’ specific needs, so that everyone feels safe, confident, and strong after every practice."
“Barre classes are accessible to every body: the emphasis of the practice is to build strength for optimal movement of all the body’s muscles and joints,”
Barre is founded on the concept of isometric training. This strength-building technique is made up of small movements and serves to work very specific muscle groups. Raising your leg by a mere few inches is enough to target those muscles and begin strengthening them. Movements get even smaller when pulsing. These tiny isometric movements, called pulses—performed in a series—help shape the body. These inch-sized movements lead to the famous barre burn. Holding movements in their tightest and lowest positions is a fundamental aspect of barre as are precision of movements and proper alignment.
For all that, barre is far less intimidating than it sounds and can be an ideal workout for beginners. While it can feel tiring on the muscles, barre requires a little less energy than running, tennis, basketball, squash, and many other sports.
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Aside from barre studios, which can be few and far between in some cities, there are many options online, from free videos to online subscriptions. While each instructor has their own teaching style, an in-studio barre class is usually 60 minutes long, typically consisting of a 40-minute standing workout at the barre, followed by a 20-minute floor component, including planks and other core exercises. Some instructors prefer to alternate between barre and floor work throughout the class, while others like to keep floor work for the end. You can expect to use small hand weights, resistance bands, and exercise balls to further work the muscles. None of these pieces of equipment are mandatory as the exercises can easily be done without them; it’s possible to build muscle with just your own body weight.
It’s best to wear snug clothing to class, such as leggings so that the instructor can easily spot incorrect movements or improper positioning. The workout can be done barefoot if the studio permits; otherwise, grip socks are usually the norm and help prevent slipping.
Barre is a soft, elegant and gentle—albeit demanding—workout with remarkable benefits, including long and lean muscles with the added bonus of improved poise and posture. Meditative and slow paced, this fitness routine allows many people to fall into a relaxing rhythm as they focus on the music and their breathing. It’s my favourite way to exercise by far.
TEXT BY FATIMA RIZZO