Barre Basics: A Beginner’s Guide to Barre Workouts

If you’ve been curious about what barre classes are and how long it can take for barre to change your body, you’ve come to the right place. While barre isn’t a magic bullet that will transform your body overnight, The Bar Method’s unique approach is designed to maximize results — one expert-led barre class at a time. Let’s break down all the barre basics so you can get more familiar with this dynamic workout.

What are barre classes?

First, a little history. Barre was introduced more than two centuries ago as part of ballet dancer training in Europe. But it wasn’t until 1959, when London-based ballerina Lotte Berk opened the first studio dedicated to barre after combining ballet barre routines and rehabilitation therapy to recover from a back injury. 

Barre classes feature high-repetition, low-impact resistance training in a ballet-inspired barre workout. 

Basic barre workouts include elements of several exercise types:

• Pilates
• Yoga
• Strength training

At The Bar Method, we meticulously design each energetic, challenging barre workout to deliver improved flexibility, total-body definition, and cardio endurance that can last long after class has ended.

What do you do in barre class?

During class, you’ll use your own bodyweight for resistance as well as some provided props like free weights, mats, and a ball. While our barre class formats vary by studio, expert instructors keep things exciting and challenging while relying on a proven format that includes:

• Upper-body exercises
• Seat work (glutes)
• Leg or thigh work 
• Core exercises  

Each exercise and pose is timed to the beat of the music so you can have a little fun while working hard to advance your health journey.

The muscles targeted in barre

Far from a one-trick pony, basic barre workouts target all of the body’s major muscle groups and help isolate certain muscles to maximize strength building and sculpting.

Here’s a look at the major muscles targeted in barre classes.

• Pecs (chest)
• Quads (thigh)
• Triceps (arm)
• Hamstrings (thigh)
• Abdominals (core)
• Transverse abdominus (core)
• Hip abductors (pelvis)
• Buttocks (seat)

What to expect during your first month of barre

Like any exercise routine, especially those you’re diving into for the first time, how long it takes to see results from barre will vary. But the majority of barre devotees tout these six benefits as reasons they keep coming back to the barre.

1. Postural changes

Your core muscles are engaged throughout the entire class as either the primary group working or the stabilizer. Fortunately, they never get a break in barre. Throughout class, you’ll be continually reminded to pull in your abs, press your shoulders down, and lift your head. These helpful cues from your instructor will cumulate into postural changes in a matter of just a few classes. 

Soon, you’ll find yourself naturally sitting straighter and standing taller with more body awareness outside of the studio. Don’t be surprised if your friends ask you how you grew an inch as they glance down at your feet to see if you’re wearing platforms.

2. A deeper mind-body connection

One of the reasons new students are so impressed with The Bar Method after taking just a few classes is the focus on the mind-body connection. 

The instructors keep you accountable by teaching you how to breathe deeply, focus your energy, and target your movements to get the most out of your workout — practices familiar to those who’ve done yoga. Students leave feeling centered and in touch with their inner personal strength. Your mind-body connection will get deeper with each class and turn into a foundational practice for your healthier life.

3. A difference in the way your clothes fit

Occasionally, new clients tell us they feel their jeans are getting tighter soon after they start taking barre classes. If you’re new to strength training, you might notice your muscles become more defined before you slim down. In barre, you are activating many smaller muscles that you’re not accustomed to working in other forms of exercises. As a result, you experience muscle hypertrophy growth — thereby firming your muscles. 

When muscles are underworked, and therefore soft, it’s easy to squeeze them into a pair of jeans. When your muscles are defined, they fight back against the clothing because they’re toned and defined. Plus, your muscles are retaining water as they strengthen, resulting in swelling that will eventually subside as your muscles become denser and stronger. 

How do you get there? Take more classes! Learn more about why you might bulk up before you slim down. 

4. More definition in your upper body

The Bar Method’s signature technique was designed to affect change to the muscles that are most responsible for changing the look of your body. We use weights at the beginning of each class to sculpt your biceps, triceps, and shoulders. However, there are several other opportunities in class to engage your upper body, making it one of the areas of your body that changes first. 

take 3 to 5 classes per week and listen carefully to the instructor’s cues during the warm-up to ensure you’re using proper form and the right amount of weight for your level. Not only will you feel stronger in your first month — you’ll look stronger too.

5. Tapered thighs

Your quadriceps are your biggest muscle group and the most difficult to change. The Bar Method’s thigh work trains you to hold sustained positions such as extensions and balances for minutes at a time, forcing every possible muscle fiber to fire, and exhausting the muscles through and through. 

These positions in barre may feel new to your muscles and you may begin to see your upper thighs taper within the first month of regular barre classes. Stick with it, let it shake, and learn to love your new stronger self.

6. A sense of accomplishment

By the end of your first month, you’ll begin to understand what The Bar Method is all about. You will start to see some of the physical benefits and changes in your body, as well as experience that burning desire for more as you prioritize your health and wellness. You’ll be hooked on the sense of accomplishment, power, and poise you feel after each class. The self-confidence you cultivate in barre class will become the reason you can’t stay away!

What do 1-month barre results look like?

While you shouldn’t expect an overnight transformation from barre classes, some members who’ve taken 3 to 5 barre classes each week report their body feeling tighter, firmer, more toned, balance, posture, strength after even a few weeks. You can search barre before and after 30 days to see some barre enthusiasts’ transformations, but keep in mind every body is different. 

The key is to make a plan or set a goal and stay consistent in your workouts so you can see all of your hard work pay off — even if your 1-month barre workout results aren’t what you thought they’d be.

How long does it take to see results from barre?

Some students say they can feel the difference in their bodies in just a couple of classes, but don’t be surprised if it takes several weeks for you to start seeing your hard work pay off when you look in the mirror. The key is staying consistent and prioritizing multiple classes each week to see the most results in the shortest amount of time.

In addition to toning and tightening, barre can have a positive effect on weight loss. One of the reasons The Bar Method is so effective is that it intentionally targets the largest, most calorie-hungry muscle groups — looking at you, legs and glutes! — and keeps them working at an intense pace. This combination of strength training and stamina building boosts the volume of energy you burn every moment during the class. 

How many times a week should you do barre to see results?

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, adults should get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (think brisk walking) or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity like barre each week — plus two weekly sessions of strength training (hello again, barre!). These guidelines can be increased if you wish to up the ante on muscle definition and weight loss.

The Bar Method instructors emphasize the importance of listening to your body to find the frequency that works best for you. If you feel yourself getting stronger and feeling more confident, your frequency is at a good level. If you start feeling fatigued, you’re probably overdoing it. The right frequency for you also depends on what else is going on in your life. If you’re working 10 hours a day and not getting a lot of sleep, you might try taking class three days a week to see how that feels. The key is regularly reevaluating and making sure your routine feels doable and not stressful.

What to wear to barre class

While we want you to feel your best, you don’t need special workout attire for barre classes. Just be sure to wear comfortable exercise clothes and socks that cover your entire foot and won’t easily come off with repeated movements. Some barre devotees swear by grippy socks, which give you comfort and stability to hold certain poses without slipping.

Barre class essentials:

• Yoga pants or leggings for flexibility
• Breathable top so you can move freely
• Socks that grip or provide traction

If you’re looking for inspiration on what to wear to barre class or need some new workout clothes, find outfit ideas and other barre class essentials in our online store. Wearing clothes that make you feel good and let you move freely will help you be more comfortable and confident at the barre.

What to bring to barre class

When it comes to what to bring to barre class, less is more. All you need to pack is a willing spirit, confident attitude, water bottle, and small towel. We’ll take care of the rest, including equipment like free weights, mats, a ball, and sliders.

Do you need a mat for barre class?

Most of our classes include floor work with mats, and while you are more than welcome to bring your favorite mat, each studio has a variety of mats for each student.

Who shouldn’t do barre workouts?

The Bar Method works for all body types and exercise levels. One of the best elements of barre workouts is that they are non- to low-impact and therefore gentle on your joints. In fact, barre classes feature rehabilitative qualities for those getting back into exercise post-injury. 

The Bar Method’s studios welcome and support students both young and old — no age limit here! The Bar Method instructors give modifications for each exercise, so classes are doable for anyone. That way, all students get the best workout for their level of fitness.

A final word on basic barre for beginners

Now that we’ve covered what barre classes are and what you can expect from a typical barre class, it’s easy to see why so many people have fallen in love with the workout. Its quick tempo, challenging sequences, and signature combination of pilates, yoga, and strength training — not to mention the cardio — keep it interesting and varied so no class is the same. 

So, put on your workout gear, grab a water bottle, and meet us at the barre.

Want to learn more about the powerful ways barre sculpts the body? Check out our article that breaks it all down, muscle group by muscle group.