Top 5 things Barre CAN and CAN’T do for your body
Imagine this, you just enrolled to your first Barre class. The music starts, the instructor shows you a set of beautiful ballet moves. Now, you start flowing through a set of movements that are similar to Pilates, Yoga and other similar practices. You feel how your body is heating up, muscles burn, and first drop of sweat comes in.
But with all of that, what actually happens to your body in a Barre class?
Will Barre classes make me more flexible? Will Barre help me in burning more calories? Can Barre replace my gym and that refreshing run outside? Can it replace cardio completely? What Barre does to my body?
All these questions and even more may cross your mind at some point. We’ve consulted with our professional Barre trainers from MokoBoko Studio and here’s what they told us. We summed up the top 5 most common things Barre can do to your body and 5 things it can't do. Let's dive right into the discussion:
5 Things Barre Can Do for Your Body:
Tones and Sculpts Muscles: Barre's small, precise movements are excellent for defining and sculpting those muscles, giving you that toned look. You know, like sculpting a rock before we get that final amazing statue!
For example, when doing a leg lift or a plié, the movement might seem small, but it’s very controlled and precise. This focus means you’re isolating and working out particular muscles, like those in your thighs, glutes, or arms, more deeply than in broader, larger movements.
Improves Posture: With its ballet roots, Barre helps in aligning your body correctly, which can drastically improve your posture. Because it’s got a bit of ballet mixed in, it teaches you to pull your shoulders back, lift your chin, and straighten up without you even realising it. We all want that ballerina posture, right? Before you know, it will get you slowly walking more proud.
Enhances Flexibility: Have you ever seen those stretches and balletic poses? They work wonders for increasing your flexibility over time. But it’s no just words — consistency is what does wonders. It’s slowly but surely helping those muscles stretch more and more.
Boosts Core Strength: Many Barre exercises require core engagement, which can help in making it strong and stable. Imagine there’s a superhero belt around your waist, and you’re activating its powers. This not only makes your belly muscles stronger but also gives you better balance and stability in your daily doings.
Low-Impact Option: Honestly, I hate running. Many love it, but it’s not my cup of tea. That’s why Barre provides a solid workout without heavy impact on your joints, making it a safer option for many.
5 Things Barre Can’t Do:
Significant Cardio Workout: If you think that it will replace your running or cycling — it will not. Barre isn't designed to get your heart rate up as a regular cardio does. It’s still great physical activity.
Massive Bulking Up: If you are in this for the muscles, then no. It’s great for staying fit and targeting those deeper muscles. Barre tones rather than adds muscle mass. Lifting heavy weights and eating properly is what will help you gain those muscles (if that’s your goal).
Spot Reduction of Fat: If there is anyone telling you that an exercise or workout can reduce fat from a specific spot - THEY ARE LYING! You can't choose where you lose fat, and Barre, like any workout, can't target fat loss in specific areas. Rather, it’s an overall results from all your efforts - physical activity, proper nutrition, sleep, etc.
High-Calorie Burn: If you think Barre is like a High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), then you are wrong. Compared to high-intensity workouts, Barre burns fewer calories, which is worth noting if weight loss is your primary goal. Nonetheless, it’s still better than doing nothing. See Barre as a good addition to your weight loss journey (if that’s your goal).
Replace All Exercise Needs: Barre is fantastic, but it's still important to have a varied workout routine to cover all aspects of fitness. For example, having a Barre and Pilates workout a week, then combining this with some stretching sessions, cardio and weight lifting — would be a great approach to a balanced lifestyle. But replacing everything with one workout type only, won’t do the job.
In the end…
Keeping it simple and straight to the point, Barre offers some pretty cool benefits for just about anyone looking to get fit and feel good. But will it do miracles to your body? No. Doing many things at once, like lifting weights, doing barre & pilates, stretching, cardio, eating and sleeping properly. That’s what matters in the long run and what brings the most results. And Barre classes is a great place to start with all of this journey. It welcomes everyone. And it’s great for finding new friends! So what are you waiting for? Let’s do some Barre!
