Friday Favorites: Barre
One of the perks of working for a university is access to the recreation center and group fitness classes. Luckily, I have a great group of student assistants and friends who workout with me regularly. The new addition to the group fitness schedule this semester is Barre. I have done this type of class before and I’m so excited it has been added to the schedule. Anyone who has experience in dance, yoga, and/or Pilates would probably love it.
What is Barre?
I tell people it is a combination of ballet, yoga, and Pilates and concentrates on isolated movements to target muscle groups. The “barre” is used for stability, much like in ballet warmups.
The Benefits
First off, it is very low impact so for anyone who may be starting out or has injuries this is a good option (always talk to your doctor though!). You can see results very quickly in a short amount of time (with consistency of course). This type of workout can be done anywhere, check out this workout to tone and tighten and this 5 minute home workout! Barre helps improve posture, strength, and flexibility. Not to mention how great your legs are going to look…hello sexy legs!
What to Wear
Barre involves a lot of stretching, reaching, and bending so I recommend something comfortable and flexible. Most workouts will be done barefoot or in socks so no special shoes are required.
Why I Love It
I shared (here and here) the importance of wellness and why I workout. Barre is one of my favorite classes because it is low impact and not high intensity. HIIT and Tabata are awesome for cardio and engery, but I don’t always want that in a workout. For me, barre, yoga, and Pilates do a great job of increasing flexibility and toning, two things I find important.
I tell everyone to find a fitness class you look forward to and it won’t feel like working out! What is your go to workout?
Until next post…xoxo Becca
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