Barre: A Ballet-Inspired, Full-Body Workout for Amateurs and Athletes Alike
Let’s get the big question out of the way: barre is a form of exercise where ballet’s grace, poise, and control meet the full-body burn of lifting.
While we’re at it, we’ll tackle the other big question as well: No, you don’t need ballet slippers and a tutu to participate.
Although barre is a fantastic workout, it can feel a bit inaccessible to first-timers because of all the technical terms that go into it. However, the only thing you need to get started is a set of comfortable workout clothes and a good attitude. Don’t worry about studying up on terms like relevés and pliés—you’ll naturally learn them throughout your barre adventures.
If you’ve ever been curious about joining barre classes at Club Greenwood (or just want to know what all the hype is about), then read on! We’ve got answers to all of your barre-related questions.
First Thing’s First: What Do You Actually Do in Barre?
While some of the moves and techniques in barre will look incredibly familiar if you’ve ever been in a dance class before, barre is a deceptively intense form of toning and conditioning. These classes may move slower than their HIIT or Zumba counterparts, but you’ll still feel plenty of burn afterward.
Most barre classes center around high-rep, low-impact movements. This means you can expect to do plenty of moves that focus on gently isolating (and reinforcing) muscle groups. Popular barre moves will often have you holding an engaged posture while slowly working a cluster of muscles. This could include something basic (like slowly bouncing in a low squat with your core engaged) to something more complex and burn-y, like standing on your toes while using your triceps to stretch a resistance band.
Many barre exercises center around something called an isometric movement, which involves engaging a wide range of muscles to hold a pose or stretch. As many of these moves have the option to modify the resistance you feel, barre can easily scale to your unique level of fitness.
What Are the Benefits of Barre?
Few forms of exercise are as effective as barre for cultivating strong, lean muscle mass. While you shouldn’t expect to bulk up like a powerlifter suddenly, you’ll start to notice some pretty significant changes to your strength, balance, and posture.
If you spend a lot of time seated, strengthening your posture can make a massive difference in your day-to-day life. It’s hard to appreciate just how much your posture affects your focus, energy, and mood until you feel the changes firsthand.
As an added bonus, barre workouts are an excellent way to supplement other fitness routines! If you also do a form of high-impact exercise—such as running, weightlifting, or tennis—then you’ll immediately feel the differences that longer, stronger muscles make.
What Is the Easiest Way to Get Into Barre?
Getting into barre is easy: all you have to do is show up! While your first barre class might seem intimidating, any of your concerns will likely be gone by the time you finish.
As mentioned above, all you need is a set of comfortable, close-fitting workout clothing and a good attitude! A water bottle and socks with good floor grip also help.
From there, all you need to do is find a barre program and attend! Just get ready for some rewarding soreness after you’re done!
It doesn’t matter whether you’re taking the first step in your barre journey, or if you’re a full-on barre master: classes at Club Greenwood offer plenty of flexibility for working on your flexibility. All of our barre classes are designed to accommodate a wide range of skill levels and experiences without compromising any of the burn you’ll feel when you’re done! If you’re ready to get your barre on, then visit our Barre schedule today!
There’s a reason why Club Greenwood is the premium, go-to destination for group fitness in the Denver Tech Center. Our small, intimate classes offer members a chance to develop their skills with an expert instructor—and get an incredible workout in the process! We pride ourselves in meeting our members where they are, and we strive to make sure that every member gets the skills, coaching, and exercise they need for long-term fitness success.