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You’re looking to lose weight, and you want to find a fitness routine that targets the entire body. You’ve done running, cycling, and been to the gym—but you want something a bit different.
Meet Barre—the workout technique that combines elements of yoga, strength training, dance, and pilates. It’s been one of the most popular workouts for a while now.
But why?
Here, we’re going to explore barre workouts and their benefits. We’re also going to take a look at the science behind calories, muscle definition and more so you can feel confident that ‘weight loss’ isn’t just about pounds on the scales.
Why is exercise important for weight loss?
Exercise not only helps with weight loss, but it helps keep you energised, feeling upbeat and more focused. Its benefits are clear, but how exactly does the process of weight loss work?
Let’s take a quick look at the fundamentals of weight loss—calories in and calories out.
Calories in vs calories out
The basic idea behind this concept is that in order to lose weight, you need to burn more calories than you consume.
In other words, you need to create a calorie deficit.
By using a calorie calculator, you can find out the number of calories you should consume based on your gender, height, weight, and activity level.
Put in the data required and you’ll get an estimate of your daily calorie intake.
Barre workouts can help you achieve this goal because they are designed to work your entire body and target all the main muscle groups. In doing so, you’ll up your daily calorie burn and hit those all-important weight loss goals.
Muscle definition
Building muscle definition through exercise can have a significant impact on burning more calories and altering body fat distribution.
When you engage in strength training exercises, you stimulate muscle growth and development, which helps to increase your metabolism.
Since muscle tissue requires more energy to maintain than fat tissue, having more lean muscle mass promotes a higher resting metabolism—so you’ll burn more calories when you’re chilling out.
It’s a how-you-look thing, too. Having well-defined muscles can visually alter body fat distribution, making certain areas appear leaner and more toned.
Studies have shown that incorporating strength training into a weight loss program can result in a greater loss of body fat compared to aerobic exercise alone.
What is Barre?
To understand what barre is, let’s take a look at how and when it first started.
It was all the way back in the 1950s when Lotte Berk, a former ballet dancer, incorporated ballet techniques into her rehabilitation routine after a back injury.
She quickly realised it had fitness benefits for all. So she opened her Lotte Berk Method studio in London in the 1960s and provided a blend of ballet-inspired exercises, strengthening movements, and stretching.
The method gained popularity and eventually spread to the United States in the 1970s. And the rest, really, is history.
The term "barre" itself originates from the ballet world, where it refers to a horizontal handrail typically used by ballet dancers for support during training and practice.
What does a barre workout involve, exactly?
A Barre workout combines elements of ballet, pilates, and yoga. It is typically performed using a ballet barre, which serves as a prop for balance and support during exercises (hence the name).
Barre classes consist of a series of small, isometric movements that target specific muscle groups, particularly the core, legs, and glutes.
The exercises are low-impact and focus on high repetitions to fatigue the muscles and bring on muscle toning and endurance.
Barre workouts also involve elements of flexibility and balance, helping to improve your body strength and posture—it really is a first-class full-body workout.
Calories Barre burns
Barre workouts can burn calories in an estimated range of 250 to 500. That’s pretty amazing.
Of course, factors like genetics, age, weight, and sex come into it—but that’s the average range.
Impressive, isn’t it! And as well as blazing through calories, you’ll be improving your fitness level, endurance, mobility, strength, and flexibility.
Lots of wins there.
What to expect in a Barre workout?
In a typical barre class—which can range from three to six sessions per week—you can expect to use body weight, light dumbbells, ankle weights, or other apparatus to target major muscle groups and improve your core engagement.
A barre workout session usually lasts around 45 minutes to one hour.
The intensity can vary depending on individual fitness levels and the teacher's style. But it’s generally moderate.
During a barre, you can expect to perform a series of exercises that engage a load of different muscle groups like the arms, legs, glutes, and core.
The instructor will guide you through the movements, allowing you to work at your own pace and modify exercises as needed. It’s great for all fitness levels for this reason.
The workouts typically focus on form, alignment, and small, controlled movements to effectively fatigue muscles and promote lean muscle development and muscle endurance.
The body-boosting benefits of Barre
You’ll be amazed at how many benefits a barre class can bring. From stress relief to improvements in core strength—it just keeps giving.
Here they are.
Posture
Barre will see you improve your posture, balance, and coordination. The exercises involved require proper alignment from head to toe, leading to better body awareness and coordination, too.
Strength and endurance
A Barre class will combine elements of ballet and strength training, which means that all the main muscle groups are targeted. The high repetitions and isometric holds in barre exercises help build muscular endurance.
Toned muscles
The small, controlled movements and isometric contractions used in barre workouts really tone your muscles and sculpt your figure—in particular—your arms, legs, glutes, and core.
Flexibility and range of motion
The stretching and lengthening parts of barre workouts help improve flexibility, lengthening muscles, and increasing joint mobility.
This might not seem important, but when it comes to performing everyday physical tasks and not getting injured, this particular benefit is your friend.
Core strength and stability
Many barre exercises really focus on the core muscles to improve strength and stability, resulting in better posture and a reduced risk of injury.
Low-impact and joint-friendly
Barre workouts are designed to be gentle on the joints, making them brilliant if you have joint issues or those seeking a low-impact exercise option.
Stress relief and mood
Did you know? Barre workouts and exercise can have positive effects on mental health.
It does so by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression through the release of endorphins, which are known as "feel-good" chemicals in the brain.
Does barre work?
Yes.
But you’ll need to align some healthy lifestyle choices alongside it to get the best results.
Here are some tips on how to get the best out of your full-body barre.
Add in cardiovascular exercise
Barre mainly focuses on strength and flexibility. So supplementing your routine with cardiovascular exercises like jogging, cycling, or swimming can help further boost weight loss…and your fitness.
Maintain a balanced diet
While barre workouts can contribute to weight loss, maintaining a healthy and balanced diet is crucial for the best possible results. So, make sure you're fueling your body with nutritious foods that support your fitness goals.
Related content: 11 Delicious and Nutritious Lunch Ideas to Keep You Energised All Day Long
Prioritise rest and recovery
Allow your body time to rest and recover between workouts. You’ve got to have rest alongside workout days to let your muscles rest, regroup and grow. On off days add in stretching, foam rolling, or yoga for enhanced recovery.
Stay hydrated
It’s true! Hydration is super important for your health and exercise performance. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after your barre workouts to maintain proper hydration levels.
How to get started
Congratulations on wanting to get started with barre! Not only will you look good, but you’ll feel good too after barre classes.
Here are our quick tips on how to get started with your new barre fitness routine…
- Find a reputable barre studio or online platform that offers beginner-friendly classes or tutorials. Many studios offer introductory packages or online subscriptions with access to on-demand workouts.
- Start with one to two classes per week and gradually increase the frequency as you become more comfortable and confident. Consistency is key, so aim for a sustainable schedule that works for you.
- Invest in proper attire, such as grippy socks and comfortable workout clothes, to prevent slipping during exercises.
- Listen to your body and modify your movements as necessary. Barre exercises can be intense, so it's important to honour your limitations and try certain exercises only once you feel ready. Don’t push yourself past comfort.
How PhenQ can help
We know that losing weight can be tough. And that making big lifestyle changes isn’t always easy.
That’s why finding exercise you love and enjoy is so important. And choosing healthy food you enjoy is paramount.
With the help of PhenQ supplements you can get on track and stay on track. It’s the trio that you can use alongside exercise and the right diet to stay motivated, feel fuller for longer, and keep smashing those weight loss goals.
Its new and improved slimming formula burns stored fat, suppresses your appetite and blocks fat production. These supplements even improve your mood and energy levels so kiss goodbye to that afternoon lull.
So, try PhenQ today and exact the positive changes you’ve always wanted.
