What is Barre Fitness & What are the Benefits?
Have you wanted to try a Barre class but unsure of what exactly these classes entail?
First, Barre is pronounced BAR and no, there are no drinks involved, but there is definitely some dancing ;)
You may often hear Barre referred to as Ballet Barre, and that is because this class style gets its roots from ballet. Barre fitness is a workout class that combines ballet-inspired moves with elements of pilates, dance, yoga and strength training. AKA the best workout ever!! (IMO)
In ballet class, moves are learned at a horizontal barre attached to the wall in order to support dancers in their movements, improve posture, and provide stability.
In Barre Fitness, we use the same barre to get our sweat on! Not all class is done at the barre. All instructors approach this aspect differently, but you might start class at the barre and progress to centre floor, or use it on and off throughout class.
In Barre class we focus on high reps of small range movements, and we perform many isometric movements which is where you’ll experience the classic “barre burn” or “barre shakes” that everyone is always talking about! This approach is designed to strengthen your body in ways that few other workouts can (see below re Muscular Endurance). Barre classes typically use equipment such as 1-3lb weights, resistance bands and or sliders. Don’t underestimate these light weights- the burn is guaranteed!
My style of Barre classes focuses on a combo of classic ballet moves like plies, and releves, with powerful and athletic cardio sequences and high rep strength training. I have adapted my classes to be perfect for at home workouts in your living room in which you can use a chair or wall as your barre, or simply perform all the moves in centre floor. Some classes are full body, while others focus on either upper or lower body movements!
What are the benefits of barre?
Improves Muscular Endurance
Do you wonder why we do one million pulses in barre class? Well, we are working on improving our Muscular endurance!
DF. “muscular endurance is your ability to repeatedly exert and maintain muscular force or tension for extended periods of time,” - Wendy Batts, NASM master instructor. This means that the muscles in each group are fatigued using small targeted movements for a high number of repetitions with light resistance- think pulses (aka my favourite word! IYKYK)
With consistent barre classes, you will learn to perform longer before feeling tired, which is useful for day-to-day life activities such as playing with your kids, or doing chores. When you have a lot of endurance it you won’t fatigue as fast and will be able to withstand more while using less energy.
Things like sitting up with good posture, or walking home on your commute with good stamina is a test of muscular endurance, and therefore muscular endurance is important and helpful as we age.
This can be compared to muscular strength, which would be training useful for when you need to lift a heavy moving box. While endurance is all about how long a muscle can perform, muscular strength is how hard it can perform. Or, in more scientific terms, it's "a measure of the greatest amount of force that muscles produce during a single maximal effort.
Both endurance and strength are useful and I recommend a combo of training! However, barre is one of the most effective workouts for muscular endurance.
2. You’ll work your CORE the entire class!
Just like ballerinas, in order to support yourself in balancing postures in barre class you must have your core engaged the whole class, which means less crunches for you YAY!
3) Barre is a Low Impact Workout!
Yes, Barre class is high intensity but it’s also low impact! This means if you are recovering from an injury, pregnant or prefer low impact options this is a perfect fit.
4) Modifications are Readily Available!
There are always options for you in Barre class no matter where you are at in your fitness journey! For example you can start with no equipment, and as you progress, add more resistance in or increase your reps or range of motion.
5) Improves Mobility, Flexibility & Posture!
The combination of dance, Pilates and yoga inspired moves will help with more than just your endurance. Consistently taking barre class will improve mobility (the range of motion or your joints), your flexibility (the elasticity of your muscles) and your posture!! Can a get a HECK YES?!
Ps. You don’t have to be a dancer to LOVE barre classes! When you first try class, it may feel like it moves quickly and is challenging or out of your comfort zone but after a few classes you’ll totally have the hang of it. My favorite part is that class moves to the beat of the music so the playlist will just sweep you away as you workout.
Finally, barre is a beginner friendly workout, adaptable to all ability levels and will work muscles you never knew you had!
Contact me HERE to try your first Sara Bucks Movement Class for free, or try the Sara Bucks Movement Membership free for 7 days!