Looking for something new to mix in with your usual yoga classes? Barre might be just the thing.
This unique workout combines the principles of ballet with an amazing bodyweight workout. While it might be inspired by barre, you won’t need ballet shoes or pointe experience to enjoy it. In fact, if you’re already enjoying yoga classes at our Sunrock yoga studio, you’ll likely have no trouble enjoying this challenging workout.
If you’re thinking about starting your search for barre classes near me, keep reading. We’re breaking down what you need to know about this unique workout, its origins, and what you should know ahead of your first class.
History of Barre
Barre workouts have taken the fitness world by storm in recent years. But the workout has actually been around since the 1950s. It was pioneered by Lotte Berk, a German dancer and fitness enthusiast. While recovering from a back injury, Berk combined her ballet training with the rehabilitative exercises that she was given to create a new and unique fitness routine. The result was a routine that was less strenuous, more targeted, and more adaptive.
It wasn’t until the 1970s that barre started picking up steam. At that time, Lydia Bach, a former student of Lotte Berk, opened the very first official barre studio in the U.S. Since then, barre has evolved, and new methods have emerged. Each studio creates its own unique take on barre. For instance, if you search for the best barre classes Springdale has to offer, you may find several different styles of barre. This includes classes taught in yoga studios, such as our own St George yoga studio.
At our Sun Rock Utah studio, our barre classes focus on targeting individual muscle groups with small, specific movements. You’ll use your body weight and a barre to get a great workout in the same beautiful, light-filled studio where we host our popular yoga classes.
The Core Principles of Barre
Pilates puts an emphasis on strengthening your core. Yoga combines meditative exercises with physical movements designed to improve your strength and flexibility. Barre has its own unique set of core principles. These can be broken down into five areas.
- The first is isometric movements. This means that during a barre workout, you’ll hold specific positions or poses for an extended period. This allows you to engage the muscle without moving it. This static contraction of the muscle helps to build endurance and strength.
- The next core principle is a small range of movement. While you’ll often hold poses for an extended period during a barre workout, you’ll also perform small, controlled movements using targeted muscle groups. This is what gives barre the reputation for being great for toning without putting undue stress on joints as you do with most cardio.
- After small, targeted movements, high repetitions are the next area of focus during a barre workout. Those small movements and positions will be performed over and over again to fatigue your muscles and create lean muscle mass.
- While performing each individual movement, you’ll also focus on your alignment and proper posture, much as you would during yoga classes.
- The final principle of barre is full-body integration. While many of the movements target specific muscle groups, during a barre class, you’ll work your entire body, making for a great workout.
Benefits of Barre
Now that you know the basics, it’s time to dive into why you should start your search for barre classes near me.
Just like yoga, barre offers a variety of benefits. Some of the top that will no doubt have you searching for the best barre classes Springdale has to offer include:
- Increased strength
- Improved flexibility
- Better posture
- A low-impact workout
- More stable core
- Greater endurance
- An improved mind-body connection
- Less stress
Many of these benefits are ones that you’ll enjoy after just one class. Just as with yoga classes, you’ll leave the studio feeling more relaxed and less stressed, with some sore muscles to show for your hard work!
Preparing for Your First Barre Class
After you’ve started your search for barre classes near me, it’s time to get ready for your first class.
Preparing for a barre class is very similar to preparing for yoga classes at our sun yoga studio. You’ll want to wear clothing that is lightweight and moisture-wicking, but that fits close to the body so that it won’t get in your way. Before your class, make sure that you eat a light meal or snack so that you aren’t hungry, and hydrate.
Don’t worry if you don’t have any barre or ballet experience—this class is beginner-friendly! Follow along as best you can, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. As with any kind of workout, practice will help you improve! During your class, listen to your body. Barre can be intense, especially if you’re new to it. If you start to feel overly sore or a position is uncomfortable, stop and take a break, and rejoin the class when you feel that you are able.
Finding the Best Barre Classes Near Me
Barre is a great low-impact workout that can help you build strength, endurance, and flexibility. While it builds on the principles of ballet, it doesn’t require any previous ballet experience. If you’ve built some strength, balance, and endurance through yoga classes at our Sunrock yoga studio, you already have a great foundation for enjoying a barre class.
Ready to start your search for barre classes near me? You won’t have to go far.
Sun Rock Yoga Studio offers its own take on a barre class. Using a ballet barre and your own body weight, you’ll enjoy a challenging, effective workout that will help reshape, tone, and strengthen your body.
If you’re ready to enjoy the best barre classes Springdale has to offer, check out our class schedule today. Then, book your next class online.