Why You Should Consider Taking a Barre Class
Pre-pandemic, very little motivated me to exercise. I played volleyball and occasionally went on walks with my family, but I had not found a particular exercise I could do independently. Once the shutdown hit, I knew I needed to take something up, so I started taking virtual barre (pronounced “bar”) classes through my local studio.
According to Women’s Health, barre is an exercise method incorporating elements of ballet, yoga and pilates. It emphasizes movements that, while intense, are usually less strenuous and performed at one’s own pace. Classes typically utilize an actual barre (picture something you would find in a ballet studio) or some sort of equivalent such as the back of a chair. It also uses other equipment such as free weights, an exercise band, an exercise ball and/or a block. Participants should wear exercise clothing (yoga pants, shorts, T-shirts) and are usually barefoot on a yoga mat.
Online learning has made it so that students are more sedentary than ever. While this year in-person activities have resumed, many students still have not been able to get the exercise they need. I encourage students to give barre a try because I think the results will be rewarding, challenging, and relatively easy to incorporate into their busy schedules.
Barre initially appealed to me because I had done yoga in the past, and it seemed like a way to intensify those movements. I wanted something that would give my heart rate a boost without feeling like I had to run, and barre turned out to be a great solution. After a few classes, I felt myself becoming stronger.
While each class is different, barre is definitely challenging. Instructors have variations of similar exercises designed to work the abdominal muscles, core, arms, hips, inner thighs and hamstrings. If you do find yourself having trouble, you can modify the movement or do something else entirely.
Perhaps the most convenient thing about barre is that it does not require a lot of time. Classes can last anywhere from 45 to 60 minutes (sometimes longer) and you can take them however often you want. If you do not have a local barre studio, check out this list to find classes on YouTube.
If you find yourself on the mat, remember to be patient. Barre is difficult and takes some time to get used to, but I hope eventually you find it as gratifying as I do.