What Are Barre Classes Like And Should I Try One? A Barre Class Review

Carly Jacobs

10 years ago

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?