Workout: 7 Barre Exercises for Toned Arms and Legs
Barre is like a mix of Ballet, Yoga, and Pilates. Imagine doing ballet-inspired moves, adding some Yoga stretches, and Pilates exercises, all in one class. It’s fun because you get to pretend you're a ballerina while seriously working out your body.
We previously showed you Wall Pilates exercises. And in this blog post, we’ve prepared 7 exercises for a Barre inspired workout. These are our favourite Barre exercises from MokoBoko studio and we would love you to try them next and get those toned arms and legs. See this workout as a quick snack for your body. Do it when you don’t feel like it but still need to close those activity rings.
And the best part of this workout? You only need a chair and two bottles of water to do it at home. But the bottles can be replaced with weights :P
Let’s dive in:
1. Arm Lifts with Light Weights
Holding light weights (or water bottles), extend your arms straight in front of you at shoulder height. Lift and lower slowly. Keep the movements small and controlled.
When lifting up, keep your abs engaged. Breathe in when going up and breathe out when going down. If doing with weights is too challenge, try without, but double the rep amount (depending on your level)
Reps: 6 (beginner) / 10-12 (advanced)
Sets: 3
2. Small Arm Circles
With light weights, extend your arms to the sides at shoulder height. Rotate your arms in small circles, first forward then backward. It’s tougher than it sounds!
This exercise might be a bit challenging for some to be done with weights. So try and do it without weights but double the rep count.
Reps: 4 reps back & 4 reps forward (beginner) / 8 back & 8 forward (advanced)
Sets: 3 (back and forth = 1 set)
3. Tricep Kickbacks
Lean slightly forward, weights in hand (or bottles), and elbows bent. Extend your arms back, focusing on your triceps, then return. Feel the burn in the back of your arms.
Tip: Don’t rush the movement. Slowly extend and return back.
In the video Karina is inclined 45 degrees. For a more of a challenge, you can incline a bit lower. If that is too hard, you can hold the chair with one hand while you work out the other one.
Reps: 6-8 each hand (beginner) / 10 - 12 (advanced)
Sets: 3
4. Pilates Boxing
Holding your weights (or bottles), bring your arms in front of you as if boxing. Punch forward alternating each hand, keeping your core tight (squeeze your abs). It’s a fun way to work those arms.
In the video, Karina is showing the movement fast. If you can’t go with that speed, take it slower and with time increase it.
Reps: 6 each hand (beginner) / 10-15 (advanced)
Sets: 3
5. Rear Leg Raises
Lean forward slightly, using a chair for support. Extend one leg back with a pointed toe, lift and lower. It targets the glutes and hamstrings.
Ensure you squeeze 🍋 your glutes when fully raising the leg and then slowly lower it down.
Reps: 6 each leg (beginner) / 10 - 15 (advanced)
Sets: 3 (both legs = 1 set)
6. Leg Lifts to the Side
Take a chair and stand holding it for balance. Lift one leg out to the side, keeping it straight, then lower.
Repeat on each side for those outer thighs. If, by any chance, you have weights that can be sticked to the leg - you can use them for extra challenge.
Reps: 6 each leg (beginner) / 10-15 (advanced)
Sets: 3 (both legs = 1 set)
7. Curtsy Lunges
Step one leg diagonally behind you and lower into a curtsy. Return to start and repeat on the other side. Great for glutes and leg muscles.
When going down, ensure you keep your core tight. And when you push up — engage those glutes! Now feel the burrrrrn 🔥
Reps: 6 each leg (beginner) / 10-15 (advanced)
Sets: 3 (both legs = 1 set)
And there you have it! Ensure that you keep proper form on each exercise and engage your core (keep it tight) when doing them. Now, what are you waiting for? Go get them tiger! In the meantime, you can also explore our 7 Day Pilates Challenge or come to one of our Barre & Pilates classes. 🥰 🧘♂️
