Working out at the barre is not just for dancers anymore! Barre classes are truly sweeping the nation. A basic barre class can be found in fitness centers, recreational gyms, and health clubs almost everywhere now. So what is the genius behind barre and why is it so popular?
What do you mean by “barre”?
The term barre comes from the main apparatus used in a standard barre class: the ballet barre. Participants use this barre for both support and occasional stretching throughout the class.
What makes barre classes effective?
Many of the movements and exercises at the barre in a typical barre class are isometric, meaning that during the class, participants endure contractions of a particular muscle or group of muscles. In other words, the muscles do not noticeably change in length. Second, barre classes combine the benefits of bodyweight training movements such as planks and push ups, with the stretching and lengthening of classical ballet movements. Barre classes, depending on the class or studio, target most of the core muscle groups. Be ready to work your biceps, triceps, deltoids, hamstrings, glutes, quads, gastrocnemius and more!
What should I expect from my first barre class?
Depending on the class, instructor and/or studio, the class will begin with a warm-up at or away from the barre. Three terms you want to know are flex, also called dorsiflexion, pointe, also named plantar flexion, and plié. Plié is simply taking a bend at the knees, in one or both knees. Following the warm-up, the class will line up at the barre where the real fun begins! Here are some tips for beginners…
1. Keep your hands light on the barre.
2. Be careful not to roll over your ankles in plié.
3. Shoulders should always be down and back.
4. Remember, this is barre, not ballet. Prima ballerina or not, if you execute the exercises correctly, you will get a solid workout!
Do I need dance experience to take a barre class?
No, but if you do have dance experience, more power to you! The music tends to be high energy so the counts are easy to follow. Another benefit of barre classes is that each participant naturally creates their own modifications. Small adjustments in lever length of the leg or arm can take a movement from easier to more difficult for a participant.
Are there any specialty barre classes?
Of course! Barre and Pilates Barre are offered right here at the William and Mary Student Recreation Center! And Barre Spin is a fun specialty class that combines the ballet inspired movements of the barre with the biker attitude of a spinning class.
For more information on barre classes:
http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/barre-workouts
Remember, not all fitness programs are made for everyone, so pick the best one that works for your body!