This workout's
for you if...

  • you want to tighten up your booty, thighs and core
  • you prefer a slow pace (but still need your butt kicked)
  • you’re pregnant
  • you like to make new friends

Barre

The Basics

When a ballerina adds dance conditioning to injury rehab, you get one of the fastest-growing workouts in the fitness world. Barre helps improve posture, muscle definition, weight loss and flexibility, focusing on the importance of small movements. Just one-inch increments promote muscle elasticity while engaging multiple muscle groups, allowing for an efficient, full-body workout.

Workouts include arm exercises and lower-body moves at the dancer’s barre, sometimes using light weights. This low-impact activity accommodates virtually any age and fitness level, even expectant mothers.

One distinguishing feature of barre is the importance of small movements; just one-inch increments measure progress and promote muscle elasticity without tearing. Most movements also engage multiple muscle groups, allowing for an efficient, full-body workout.

BONUS

Shaking is not only to be expected at a barre class, it’s a badge of honor! Holding positions contracts the muscles, and as they fatigue, muscles tremble. It’s a sign that the exercise is having the desired effect and that you’re working hard to earn it.

The Gear

  • For all you workout gear junkies out there, ZenStudio and Pure Barre both have in-store boutiques that carry some of the top barre, pilates and yoga fashion lines in the country. Keep an eye out for these brands:

    Pure Barre
  • Pure Barre
  • Nux Activewear
  • Alo Yoga
  • Onzie
  • Beyond Yoga
  • Tavi Noir

    ZenStudio
  • Beyond Yoga
  • Alo Yoga
  • Spiritual Gangster
  • Feetures
  • Toe Sox

The Lingo

Tuck
A signature barre move, pulling your hips forward and up while contracting your abs backward

Pulse
Repeating quick, small movements into a held position

Proper posture
Ears over shoulders, shoulders over hips, hips over heels

Resources

BARRE CLASSES

Blue Yoga Nyla
North Little Rock

Clubhaus Fitness
Little Rock
Classes: Barre Inflame

IM=X Pilates & Fitness
Little Rock
Barre & Pilates Classes: IM=X Pilates Reformer, BootyBarre® & TRX Suspension Training – small classes featuring muscle toning and lengthening benefits, with elements of strength and cardios

Irby Studio of Dance
Little Rock, Conway, Searcy & Morrilton
Classes: Ballet barre for children

Little Rock Athletic Club
Little Rock
Classes: Barre, Cardio Barre

Little Rock Racquet Club
Little Rock
Classes: Barre

McClure Fitness
Benton & Little Rock
Classes: Barre Body

North Little Rock Athletic Club
North Little Rock
Classes: Barre

Pure Barre
Little Rock
Classes: Strength and cardio-centric classes offered daily. Special classes and in studio and out of studio events offered monthly

Rock City Dance Center
Little Rock
Classes: Ballet

ZenStudio Fitness Boutique
two locations in Little Rock
Classes: BarreAmped method - barre, barre bootcamp, barre cardio, barre bounce

The Time

60

minutes

The Burn

Up to

500

calories per hour class
*Average sourced from LiveStrong.com