Is Barre Good for Weight Loss? Science Says Yes | The Bar Method

The Bar Method is a powerhouse of a workout; it’s known for blending elements of ballet, yoga, strength training, and Pilates to create a supercharged workout that sculpts, shapes, and burns fat (and keeps you coming back for more).

But strength and toning aren’t the only benefits. The Bar Method is the place to be if you crave variety and want it all— building strength, toning and stretching muscles, burning calories, and with a consistent routine, weight loss.

Let’s talk about weight loss and The Bar Method, including:

• Does barre help you lose weight?
• The science of barre weight loss
• How long it takes to see results from barre
• Recommendations for adding The Bar Method to your weekly wellness routine

Is barre a good workout?

The short answer is: Yes!

Barre combines the best parts of other effective workouts— ballet, yoga, strength training, and Pilates— into one ultra-efficient package. Our classic Bar Method class is designed to build muscle, boost endurance, improve flexibility, and lift your mood, but with our signature class formats, you can hone in on your specific fitness goals. For example, Bar Strength builds muscular endurance and increases strength, while Bar Cardio improves stamina and makes your heart and lungs stronger.

And, because barre involves small movements and holding different poses, it challenges your body with minimal pressure on your joints and muscles. That way, you can do barre often without pain.

Is barre good for weight loss?

First, let’s talk about how weight loss works. Weight loss is all about maintaining an energy balance. Simply put: If weight loss is one of your goals, you need to expend more energy than you take in to maintain a calorie deficit.

Pairing healthy eating habits with regular exercise is a great way to reach the calorie deficit needed to lose weight. And the Bar Method is an especially effective workout option for weight loss, thanks to several unique traits, including:

• Barre boosts your metabolism. The Bar Method approach is specifically designed to target larger muscles like the legs and glutes— and keep them working at an intense pace for an extended period. this approach boosts your metabolism, increasing the amount of energy (calories) you use in each class.
• Barre workouts build muscle. Barre classes utilize isometric resistance training, which involves contracting your muscles to hold your body in different poses. It may look easy, but your muscles start burning (and shaking) in no time! Sometimes, you may even be instructed to move in tiny, ultra-concentrated ranges while holding a specific pose. This strength training component of barre workouts can help you add muscle, helping you burn more calories throughout the day. How? Because muscles need more energy to exist than fat, event at rest.
• Barre is low-impact. Popular weight loss workouts like running and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) are high-impact, putting a lot of pressure on joints and muscles. This can make it challenging to do the workouts often, especially if you have an injury or joint condition like arthritis. Barre, on the other hand, is low-impact, so you can do it comfortably and consistently for the long term. (And consistency is key to weight loss.)
• Barre improves endurance. Recruiting multiple muscle groups and preventing muscles from relaxing between reps during barre gets your heart pumping. This constant effort builds aerobic fitness by training your heart and lungs to work together for longer bouts. It’s also great for fat loss because activities that improve endurance tend to use a lot of calories.
• Barre relives stress. Evidence shows that exercise lowers stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. Elevated levels of cortisol can derail your weight loss efforts by increasing your craving for high-sugar, high-calorie, and high-fat foods. Barre has the added stress-busting benefit of mindfulness, a form of meditation common in yoga that encourage focusing on how you feel in the current moment.
• Barre is fun! Consistency with exercise is key for weight loss, and you’re more likely to stick with exercise if you have fun doing it. This is where Bar Method classes shine. Barre workouts are anything but repetitive; the movements keep changing, so you’re never bored. Plus, sweating alongside a supportive community of new friends makes the muscle burn more enjoyable.

How many calories does a barre class burn?

If the muscle shakes, heart pump, and sweat you experience during a typical Bar Method class are any indication, barre burns plenty of calories— approximately 250-500 per session!

And, thanks to “the afterburn effect,” barre workouts keep your body burning calories long after the class is over. Also known as excess post-exercise oxygen consumption, or EPOC, afterburn is when your body burns a higher amount of calories while recovering from exercise. Barre movements challenge your muscles and create tiny tears. Your body requires more oxygen to repair these tears, causing you to burn additonal calories.

Bottom line: Bar Method is a calorie-burning powerhouse!

How quickly will you see results from barre?

Now, for the big question: How long does it take to lose weight with barre?

Consistent barre-goers typically notice greater muscle tone and a leaner apperance after taking three to five barre classes a week for one month. However ,your weight loss results may vary. Your eating habits also play a role in how quickly you lose weight from barre, along with other factors, including:

• Height
• Muscle mass
• Fitness level
• Age
• Sleep
• Hormones
• Overall exertion

How to incorporate barre into your weight loss routine

Our expert instructors recommend taking three to five barre classes a week for the best results— including weight loss. The Bar Method offers five signature class formats, so you can balance full-body strength training, cardio, and recovery.

Try to include one to two Bar Cardio classes per week as part of your fat loss routine. Or, choose another form of cardio you enjoy, such as walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, rowing, and water aerobics. Aim to reach 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic acitivity per week, as recommeded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. 

A final word on barre for weight loss

Losing fat depends on many factors, including eating habits, age, hormones, sleep, and more. Still, barre offers several perks that can help you trim fat. It builds muscle, boosts metabolism, improves endurance, and (most importantly) it’s fun!

Ultimately, weight loss is just one of the many benefits of barre that will leave you feeling stronger and more confident in what you’re capable of. Remember that the number on the scale doesn’t tell the full story; what’s most important is showing up for yourself consistently to become stronger physically, mentally, and emotionally. We’re here for every tuck, rep, and pulse of your Bar Method journey.

More barre weight loss tips

• How The Bar Method Does Cardio Differently and Why You Will Burn Calories
• How to Fuel Your Bar Method Workout
• Here’s Why You May Bulk Up Before Slimming Down (And Why That’s a Good Thing)

Ready to get started with barre? Find a Bar Method studio near you to get access to expert instruction and science-backed technique that’s proven to help you tone up and get stronger from the inside out.