In honor of the new year, I’m starting an occasional fitness series in which I try out different workouts and report back. Today’s theme is barre.
You may recall that I did a post last year about what to expect from your first barre class. But, after trying several different brands of barre, I’ve learned that they can vary widely. My tips still hold true 99% of the time (you may not need any socks), but I wanted to give you a little more info about the kinds I’ve tried, in case you’re scared to start.
First, an overview: Barre (or Bar) class is usually an hour-long exercise class that combines pilates and ballet-inspired movements and incorporates a ballet barre. You don’t need any ballet or dance experience to try it, and you don’t need to be in great shape, but every one I’ve been to is a challenging total-body workout. I took ballet for about 14 years, so I generally like the ones that are more ballet-ish, but depending on your background, you may prefer a different kind. I also tend to like classes that are different every time, rather than doing the same routines again and again, but you may like to know what’s coming next. Anyway, if there is only one type of barre class available in your town, I hope you’ll try it, regardless of what I say. Just about everywhere offers a class free for newcomers, or a reduced rate to try your first few classes.
Xtend Barre
Xtend Barre is my favorite, in part because I find it to be the most similar to actual ballet class. Many of the moves are reminiscent of ballet moves, and you’ll spend a decent amount of time at the barre. The choreography and equipment depends on the instructor, but there will always be a portion that involves using light weights while standing away from the barre. Do yourself a favor and choose 1-pounders the first time!
Barre3
This is the type of barre I’ve been doing lately, and I really enjoy it. It isn’t QUITE as ballet-y as Xtend Barre, but there are still many ballet-inspired moves, and every instructor I’ve had has been excellent. Like most other types of barre I’ve tried, there is a floor portion, light weights and barre. This one also always seems to include a small orange ball that you’ll have to squeeze between your legs or in the crook of your knee.
Pure Barre
This seems to be the most prevalent type of barre, and many, many people love it. The studio I went to had a very clear sense of community, which is awesome. I only tried one class, so it may have been an off day, but I didn’t like it. It was definitely a good workout — it may have been the hardest I’ve done. But I had a hard time understanding how to do several of the moves, most of it didn’t seem much like ballet, and we didn’t spend very much time at the barre. I also got the feeling that the classes are pre-choreographed by some kind of national instructor, and/or they repeat often, based on the way the instructor was giving the cues and the way the students seemed to know exactly what was happening next. And though I tried not to let this affect my opinion of the class itself, I was annoyed that I showed up maybe three minutes before my first class (I had trouble parking nearby, and then I couldn’t find the studio), and they wouldn’t let me go in — they rescheduled me for the next day. Anyway, make sure you get there at least 10 minutes early for your first class.
Bar Method
This was the first type of branded barre class I tried, and though I went to several classes, I didn’t love it. Like Pure Barre, many of the moves are different than ballet moves, and I had a hard time understanding what I was supposed to do or what muscles I was supposed to be working. I also had a hard time keeping my toes and hips pointing forward/parallel, instead of having them turned out (in a V-shape) like I am used to. And, like Pure Barre, it seemed like the classes were pre-choreographed or something, because several sections were the same in multiple classes, and the regulars always seemed to know what to do and what was coming next.
LifeBar
This is a class at Lifetime Fitness, and while it is a fun class that I would go to if I belonged to that gym, it is very different than any barre class I’ve ever been to. The most obvious difference is that there is no ballet barre, so the “bar” in question is a weighted bar that you hold perpendicular to the floor for balance. It is much more aerobic than the other classes I’ve tried, but I’m not sure it’s the best for beginners, because if the class is packed with 50+ people, there’s no way the instructor can tell if you’re doing something wrong or offer personalized help.
Have you tried any barre classes? Did you like it? Which kind is your favorite?