What Is Barre? Upgrade Your Fitness Routine With These Answers

Picture this: You’ve tried yoga, Pilates, running, spin — and pretty much every workout under the sun. But you’re still in search of something that keeps you coming back consistently and leaves you feeling (and looking) truly amazing. Enter: barre. What is barre, you ask? It’s an all-in-one workout that engages your mind and body through low-impact, high-intensity movement. 

Barre classes can be challenging, but also have modifications to enable all levels of experience and fitness. Plus, they’re fun. Every movement counts, yet time seems to fly by. If you’re looking to upgrade or restart your fitness routine, start with the answers to these questions about barre (below), including:

• What is a barre class?
• How do barre exercises benefit the body and mind?
• What is the role of kinesiology and physical therapy in the Bar Method?
• Which muscles does barre work?
• What does a barre sequence include?
• And more!

What is a barre class?

First things first: What is barre, and what is a barre class like? A barre workout is a hybrid fitness class combining elements of Pilates, yoga, ballet, and functional strength training. Each class includes a sequence of postures that seamlessly flow together, with a focus on precise form and repetition. 

While some cardio workouts and strength training formats target specific areas of the body (Pilates exercise, for example, starts from the core), barre classes are intentionally designed to work the full body. 

Barre accomplishes this by emphasizing these three key things:

• Small, controlled movements
• High repetitions
• Isometric holds (where the muscle is engaged without changing length) 

These movements are designed to improve muscular endurance, enhance posture, and activate deep stabilizing muscles, especially in the core, glutes, thighs, and shoulders. 

You may also be wondering where the name “barre” comes from. Barre is named after the ballet barre — a horizontal handrail used for balance — that (unsurprisingly) serves as a key piece of equipment during class.

Get to know Bar Online

Did you know you can get 24/7 access to the expert guidance of our barre instructors from anywhere? It’s true! Bar Online offers unlimited access to hundreds of on-demand barre classes designed with our science-backed Method.

The best part? You can do these barre workouts at home with little to no equipment — so when we say anywhere, at any time, we mean it. Each class and exercise is intentionally planned to give you the best workout possible in an efficient format, and you can choose from various class lengths (45 or 60 minutes) to make working out work for you.

It all started with an idea: Effective exercises for every day

If you’re wondering “what is a barre workout?” you may also be curious about how it all started. Drawing from dancer and barre creator Lotte Berk, Bar Method founder Burr Leonard established a modified approach. Leonard worked with physical therapists to make adjustments to the exercises that felt good in the joints, could be done every day (for life), and drive amazing toning results. 

As a result, The Bar Method is accessible with its low-impact technique that helps people build strong, toned, healthy bodies. The workout integrates laws of kinesiology as well, for a workout that’s truly both safe and effective, with physical therapy continuing to play a key role for The Bar Method.

How to make the most of your barre workouts at home

By doing barre at home, you’re showing up for yourself — and that alone is rewarding! But to take your workout (and your results) to the next level, our technique team has three pro tips.

• Set yourself up with the right equipment. At-home barre workouts can be done with no equipment, but having a few tools around can make your workout even more effective. For example: Use a folded towel or pillow (or a small mat) for cushion during thigh or curl work. Grippy socks can help you hold positions longer while stretching straps boost the flexibility benefits of your workout.

• Use a mirror. Being able to see your position and alignment during each exercise can help maximize the muscle engagement and strength gains of each position. (Bonus: It can even boost your self-esteem.)

• Turn on “do not disturb.” At-home barre workouts are a chance to unplug and get a little “me time.” Put your phone out of reach or face down to limit the temptation to check it during your workout. Not only will this help you stay present, but it will also help you get the most strength, toning, and mood-boosting benefits from your workout.

Think there’s just one type of barre fitness? Think again…

There are all kinds of barre fitness, and one leading Method. With a 20-year history in the industry, we specialize in low-impact, high-intensity exercises (created with therapists and kinesiologists). Add in our instructors, who are experts in anatomy and precise adjustments, and you have the most effective barre fitness workout for total-body transformation. 

Our Method is all about variety — no two classes are alike! With fusions of different types of workouts, sequence variety, and five signature Bar Method class formats, it’s safe to say you’ll never get bored. These core barre classes are designed to support specific focus areas (think: cardio, strength, etc.). While all classes work the full body, this allows members to choose classes with intention, and stay engaged with variety. Classes include:

• Bar Method: A fusion of ballet, Pilates, yoga, and strength training for improved flexibility and balance, a stronger core, and better posture.
  
• Bar Method Cardio: A comprehensive cardio workout (that does more than burn calories) for improved cardiovascular health, endurance, and stronger muscles.
  
• Bar Strength: A low-impact strength workout amped up with challenging weight work for lower blood pressure, more efficient fat burn, and more defined muscles.
  
• Bar Flow: A signature Bar Method class infused with dynamic yoga sequences for a stronger mind-body connection, improved weight regulation, and better joint movement, balance, and posture.
• Bar Restore: A thoughtfully designed barre stretching class to help you reset, sleep better, and stress less for reduced anxiety and muscle tension, and better muscle recovery.

What kind of results do barre exercises lead to?

Barre exercises have benefits for both body and mind, including the opportunity to practice mindfulness during each barre class! With consistent classes (as little as two to three times per week), barre has results that can affect every aspect of daily living, from a boosted mood to more confidence, and a stronger body. 

Here are just a few of the ways The Bar Method can make a life-changing difference for members:

• Builds long, lean muscle tone without bulk
• Enhances balance and coordination
• Improves mobility and flexibility
• Reduces joint strain through low-impact movements
• Emphasizes neuromuscular connection, training the mind to better engage muscles

Pro tip: Switching up class formats and exploring different types of barre workouts can help you stay consistent, leading to noticeable results that stick around.

Barre builds strength, one exercise at a time

Barre classes work the full body, leading to definition in muscles like the pecs, outer quads, triceps, hamstrings, abdominals, and many more. This doesn’t happen overnight, but rather through each exercise in barre class, one moment at a time. Not sure what that entails or what to expect? We’ve got you — most Bar Method classes follow this general structure:

1. Warm-up/upper body work: This portion of class includes light dynamic movement and core activation to prepare the body for the exercises to come. Light weights are used for arms and shoulders using smaller-range motions, quickly building intensity and engaging the upper body (trust us, you’ll feel it right away!).
   
2. Barre work: This work focuses on the lower body, using the barre for balance. This includes seat work and thigh work. Thigh work can include leg positions familiar in ballet (second position and leg lifts), and movements are characterized by small pulses and holds. These are also similar to those found in ballet classes. This is where the barre shake comes in (when the muscles tremble during thigh and seat work), and a sign of hard work!
   
3. Curl work: This involves core and abdominal strengthening exercises. Many exercises include Pilates-inspired abdominal exercises and sequences.
4. Final stretch/reverence: Once you’ve reached the end of class, the final stretch is a chance to release and lengthen the muscles worked while practicing mindfulness. Stretch sequences can sometimes mimic movements and patterns found in yoga classes.

In our studios, you’ll find that our signature Method format follows a strategic sequence of body parts. This is meant to warm you up enough to maximize the benefits of each class section and stretch the muscle groups worked previously. We start by warming up the body, use the larger muscle groups in the middle of class, then come to the floor for abdominal work last, once the abs are warm and heart rates are up. 

There’s also plenty of variation while working the front of the body and then the back. Why? So that once fatigued, those muscles can be stretched while the opposing ones contract. 

Throughout barre classes, we incorporate release stretches and elongated stretches. These will vary slightly depending on whether you’re taking a 60-minute class or a 45-minute Express class. In both cases, these stretches provide recovery between periods of intense muscle contraction without letting the heart rate slow too much.

In terms of pace, The Bar Method suits all experience levels! You can count on the instructor to guide you into each exercise and explain how to do every movement. If you know what to do, you can get right to work. If you’re looking for more cues, you’ve got them. Instructors will continually offer form pointers and give adjustments to those who welcome them during class as well.

It can’t be overlooked: One of the reasons barre is special is its community. At The Bar Method, every instructor is rooting for you to get the most out of every class. If it’s your first class, it’s normal to be nervous in a new environment. But here’s a helpful thought that might help you exhale: Every member starts with a single first class — and there’s always a good chance there’s a new member standing right beside you (and an opportunity to expand your circle!).

In fact, research shows that group exercise memberships are linked to social support and more frequent exercise for women. So if you’re looking for one way to feel your best, and perhaps gain more mental clarity, energy, and friendship along the way, look no further than The Bar Method.

Barre is more than a workout — it’s a pathway to well-being

Now that you know what to expect in a barre exercise class, it’s up to you to decide whether barre fitness is right for you. If you’re looking for an all-in-one class that takes a healthy approach to working every muscle, the next step is to find a Bar Method studio. You can simply come as you are, wearing clothes that are comfortable for a workout and easy to move in. (Oh, and if you’re really excited, you can always pick up a pair of grippy socks). Let the barre adventure begin!