Behind the Scenes of Barre

In this blog post I’m going to be talking about one of my favorite ways to workout. I touched on barre a little in one of my previous blogs but in this one I wanted to dive a little deeper and explain exactly what to expect if you are thinking about going to a barre class.

The only thing I can really compare barre to is ballet. The reason it is called barre is because actual ballet barres are used in the workout. In barre, resistance bands and two-three pound weights are used. Leggings are preferred over shorts because the resistance bands can irritate your skin. No shoes are worn and this workout is similar to yoga because a yoga mat is used.

A barre class is usually made up of about 12 people and an instructor. The instructor has to be certified before being able to teach a class. Upbeat music is played so your motions can match the beat of the music. No barre class is the same. There is always different moves incorporated into each workout to target different muscles of the body.

I think if you are trying to get toned, barre is the best exercise because it really burns your muscles and after a few weeks you will start to notice muscle definition.

Barre is also good for beginners because it isn’t like at the gym where people are lifting really heavy weights. Everyone is doing the same thing and it is okay to stop and take breaks. It is primarily a women’s workout but it is easy enough for all ages to participate.

The only downside to barre is that it isn’t cheap. The average monthly rate classes are $80. That is the cost of the two studios here in Troy. In bigger cities, it could be more expensive. Depending on the studio, most places let you try a class for free so if you did not like it you would not be wasting money. There is also sometimes the option to pay by the day so you do not have to get a membership if you do not plan on coming frequently.

Now that I have explained a little more about barre, I hope it encourages people to take a step and switch up your everyday workout by incorporating a new routine.