E
arly last year the fitness scene exploded with a new workout craze called Barre. It’s basically a pilates, yoga and ballet class that’s designed strengthen, lengthen and tone your body. I’ll admit that it sounded a little fad like when I first head about it but as an ex-dancer, I thought I’d give it a whirl. I promptly became addicted and I’ve attended at least one (sometimes 5!) classes per week for almost a year. I’ve had a few people ask me what a barre class is like and whether or not they should try one so here’s my honest barre class review. (Note: I go to Barre Body classes in Fitzroy and Windsor in Melbourne. I haven’t tried any other brand of Barre classes but I’m very happy with Barre Body so I’m not really feeling the need to try any others.)
5 Things You Should Know About Barre Class
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1. It’s hard
Barre Body classes are based on isometric movements which are very small lifts and twist where you don’t move very much at all. If you’re watching a barre class it looks pretty tame but don’t be thinking it’s an easy or mild workout. Your butt will be burning and your arms will feel like lead which is obviously awesome because that’s what it’s supposed to do.
2. If it’s not hard you’re not doing it right
I sweat like a mofo in barre class and I make twisty little pain faces but I’ve noticed that some other people seem to be daydreaming and also not experiencing any pain at all. These people aren’t doing it right. Lifting your leg while it’s all limp and floppy is VERY different to lifting your leg when you’re engaging all your muscles and concentrating on the area you’re supposed to be working. The best thing to do is listen to the teacher and do exactly as they say. There’s lots of talk of ‘wrapping’ muscles and ‘pulling up’ body parts and you should be doing that. Otherwise you’re just waving your jelly arms and legs around for 55 minutes and not getting any benefits from it.
3. You need to find a teacher you like
I inititally signed up for a 2 week $50 package and went nearly every day for those 2 weeks. This gave me the opportunity to test out different teachers and find ones that I really like. Some are more relaxed which might suit you better but I prefer hardcore ones that will whip me a bit. Get to know your local studio, find teachers that you like and book in to their classes regularly.
4. It takes a while to improve
I’m a regular exerciser and I spent a good ten years of my childhood getting posture corrected by my dance teacher, so I assumed I’d be awesome at everything straight away. I wasn’t. There are still lots of things I need to improve on but I every time I go, I get a bit better and I can do more leg lifts and weights sessions without resting. It’s very slow progress but so worth it.
5. 
It’s bloody good fun
Even though I’m a regular exerciser, I’m still a clock watcher. I’d much rather be not exercising than exercising (same as most people) but I never feel like barre class is dragging. I always get a spot near the mirror so I can make sure I’m in the correct positions and also so I can pretend that I’m Maureen Cummings in Centre Stage and I’m ‘… the best goddamn dancer in the American Ballet Academy. Who the hell are you? Nobody!’ Makes 55 minutes fly by, I promise. [divider type=”standard” width=”1/1″ el_position=”first last”]
Have you tried barre classes? What did you think?
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Note: This review is not sponsored, I just freaking love Barre Body.
Note 2: If you want more fitness reviews and general advice on how to win at life make sure you follow Smaggle on Facebook, Twitter, Bloglovin, Instagram and if you’re really a keen bean you can sign up to the Smaggle weekly newsletter.
13 Comments
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Ugh, those pointe shoes in the header photo are tied SO BADLY. *twitch*
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I know right? I’m like ‘Girl those knots will be your UNDOING!!!’ PUN INTENDED!
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Ha HA!! Pun game strong! (Naturally I am gagging to try a barre class, but classes are very much an inner-city situation here in Aotearoa, and I am of course a country bumpkin . . )
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I’ve got lots of Canberra readers that say the same thing. I’ve very lucky – I have a cute urban studio that’s a five minute walk away from where I live.
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Sadly, I have been too unco and clumsy all my life to do anything remotely as graceful as dance and too self-conscious to do anything fitness related in a class. But I do admire the discipline involved. I am a great believer in self-discipline. I imagine it would be fabulous for muscle tone! xx
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It’s really difficult actually… very fine movements are tough! I love it though. Does wonders for a writers twisty spine that’s been sitting down all day.
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Argh, I’d love to do barre classes, I think they’d be right up my exercise alley but I get a heavily discounted gym membership through work (which I do actually use!) so I just can’t justify the cost, those classes aren’t cheap!
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You should try the $50 2 week thing! It’s a total bargain! And I hear you – I wouldn’t pay for a gym membership AND barre classes but I have a treadmill at home so it works out really well for me!
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I’ve wanted to give barre classes a shot but there are none in my local area. I thought it would be a good way to foster my inner ballerina and finally realise my dream of dancing in a studio.
I like your comment about “if it’s not hard you’re not doing it right”. I practice yoga every day, and I find that it’s a similar story with yoga. Although there are a lot of mild, gentle yoga workouts, a lot of the time yoga is a lot more challenging than it looks. When you’re really concentrating on your alignment and working your edge, it is damn tricky!
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Hey Carly! Thanks for sharing information and things one should know about Barre workout before he/she want to try it.
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For those of you keen to try a barre class, but don’t have access to a studio — there’s YouTube. Search Ballet Beautiful, Qinetic, etc.
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I love barre classes and go to Golds gym that has the “GGX GOLD’S BARRE” classes. I go once weekly as I also do yoga, zumba, pound and weight training during the week. Yesterday I did my class and i guess because there were so few of us she worked us extra hard. I thought I would die with all the lunge/plie/lunge/squats reps, resistance bands, weights and the barre work. I was so whipped I went to bed early, but I will be back next week ready for more lovely punishment. Its such a great workout and class…try it!
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Nice and very informative post. thank you for sharing this with us.
