Barre Fitness

Curious​ ​about​ ​"​ ​Barre"​ ​classes​ ​that​ ​have​ ​become​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​newest​ ​trends​ ​to​ ​hit​ ​the​ ​fitness world?​ ​Barre​ ​is​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​most​ ​popular​ ​and​ ​effective​ ​workouts,​ ​combining​ ​ballet,​ ​Pilates​ ​and yoga,​ ​with​ ​no​ ​dance​ ​experience​ ​required!

Ballet​ ​Barre,​ ​or​ ​simply​ ​Barre​ ​workouts​ ​tackle​ ​the​ ​full​ ​body,​ ​targeting​ ​small​ ​muscle​ ​groups typically​ ​ranging​ ​from​ ​small,​ ​isolated​ ​muscle​ ​movements​ ​to​ ​those​ ​requiring​ ​large​ ​range​ ​of motion.​ ​Often,​ ​the​ ​classes​ ​are​ ​choreographed​ ​to​ ​music;​ ​unlike​ ​a​ ​dance​ ​class,​ ​there's​ ​no need​ ​to​ ​learn​ ​or​ ​memorize​ ​a​ ​"routine,"​ ​but​ ​rather​ ​use​ ​the​ ​beat​ ​of​ ​the​ ​music​ ​to​ ​help​ ​count​ ​reps and​ ​stay​ ​on​ ​tempo.  

Barre​ ​work​ ​is​ ​that​ ​done​ ​on​ ​the​ ​horizontal,​ ​ballet​ ​barre,​ ​and​ ​is​ ​often​ ​used​ ​simply​ ​to​ ​support the​ ​body​ ​while​ ​targeting​ ​specific​ ​areas.​ ​The​ ​barre​ ​work​ ​may​ ​include​ ​leg​ ​lifts,​ ​squats​ ​(or pliés),​ ​or​ ​stretching.​ ​Additionally,​ ​many​ ​studios​ ​incorporate​ ​use​ ​of​ ​​ ​floor​ ​mats,​ ​light​ ​weights, resistance​ ​bands​ ​and​ ​other​ ​equipment​ ​to​ ​add​ ​variety​ ​into​ ​each​ ​session.

One​ ​of​ ​the​ ​greatest​ ​benefits​ ​of​ ​this​ ​form​ ​of​ ​workout​ ​is​ ​suitable​ ​for​ ​all​ ​ages​ ​and​ ​skill​ ​levels because​ ​of​ ​the​ ​ability​ ​to​ ​easily​ ​modify​ ​movements.​ ​The​ ​repetition​ ​allows​ ​for​ ​participants​ ​to anticipate​ ​what's​ ​to​ ​come,​ ​and​ ​to​ ​power​ ​through​ ​the​ ​sets,​ ​often​ ​broken​ ​up​ ​by​ ​upper​ ​body, lower​ ​body​ ​and​ ​core.

Some​ ​studios​ ​offer​ ​classes​ ​exclusively​ ​designed​ ​for​ ​those​ ​wishing​ ​to​ ​engage​ ​in​ ​lower​ ​impact cardio​ ​and​ ​reduce​ ​the​ ​amount​ ​of​ ​stress​ ​put​ ​on​ ​joints​ ​and​ ​muscles.​ ​Instructors​ ​teach​ ​at​ ​a slower​ ​pace​ ​to​ ​focus​ ​on​ ​refining​ ​form.

There​ ​are​ ​several​ ​varieties​ ​and​ ​styles​ ​of​ ​barre​ ​classes,​ ​from​ ​those​ ​offered​ ​in​ ​gym memberships,​ ​dance​ ​studios,​ ​to​ ​those​ ​in​ ​boutique​ ​style​ ​studios.

Barre​ ​is​ ​so​ ​versatile-​ ​it​ ​can​ ​be​ ​done​ ​anywhere!​ ​For​ ​an​ ​at​ ​home​ ​option,​ ​use​ ​the​ ​back​ ​of​ ​a sturdy​ ​chair​ ​in​ ​lieu​ ​of​ ​a​ ​barre!​ ​There​ ​are​ ​many ​​routines​ ​offered​ ​online​ ​or​ ​on demand​ ​TV.​  ​All​ ​can​ ​help​ ​gain​ ​flexibility,​ ​improve​ ​posture,​ ​strengthen​ ​muscles,​ ​trim​ ​and​ ​tone the​ ​body,​ ​while​ ​providing​ ​a​ ​great​ ​cardio​ ​workout. 

While​ ​there​ ​are​ ​fundamental​ ​elements​ ​of​ ​ballet​ ​woven​ ​throughout​ ​the​ ​class,​ ​there​ ​is​ ​no​ ​need to​ ​have​ ​ever​ ​taken​ ​a​ ​ballet​ ​class!​ ​For​ ​those​ ​with​ ​dance​ ​backgrounds,​ ​it's​ ​a​ ​fun,​ ​nostalgic, way​ ​to​ ​incorporate​ ​dance​ ​into​ ​your​ ​life.​ ​For​ ​the​ ​rest​ ​of​ ​us,​ ​feeling​ ​like​ ​a​ ​ballerina​ ​for​ ​an​ ​hour or​ ​so​ ​is​ ​just​ ​as​ ​much​ ​a​ ​thrill!​ ​​ ​Barre​ ​is​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​low​ ​injury​ ​risk​ ​forms​ ​of​ ​exercise​ ​out​ ​there, even​ ​deemed​ ​suitable​ ​for​ ​pregnant​ ​women!​ ​However,​ ​as​ ​always,​ ​please​ ​speak​ ​with​ ​your physician​ ​before​ ​beginning​ ​any​ ​fitness​ ​or​ ​workout​ ​regimens.