Barre workouts are based on ballet but include elements from other types of dance. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself doing some regular dance, yoga, or classic Pilates moves. With barre workouts, you aren’t going to a ballet class but a unique fitness class that provides many excellent benefits. Here are some different reasons to consider doing barre workouts.
Barre Provides a Full-Body Workout
If you think barre workouts are just for your lower body, you are about to get a big surprise. These workouts are actually perfect when you want to exercise your entire body. While barre workouts emphasize lower body muscle groups like your legs and buttocks, they also work on your abdominal muscles, back, shoulders, and arms. By the end of a barre workout, you will feel the burn from shoulders to toes. So it can be great when you want a single workout focusing evenly on all muscle groups.
It is Easy On Your Joints
Another excellent benefit to barre workouts is that they can be easy on your joints. While your muscles will feel the burn, and you definitely help to tone and chisel your body, it isn’t difficult for your joints. The movements are subtle and help to strengthen your body without putting too much pressure or strain on your joints, tendons, and ligaments. Because of this, you will be able to do barre regardless of your weight or athletic ability, even if you have conditions causing pain in the joints, such as arthritis. Some moves may need to be altered, but anyone can do the workouts for the most part.
Barre Workouts Are Good For Beginners
Don’t avoid trying out barre workouts because you have never taken ballet or dance before or because you are out of shape. You don’t need any experience to do this workout. The moves are taught slowly, and each one is practiced several times before moving on to the next. This prevents you from having to “learn” the moves ahead of time. Just pop in the DVD and get started, following along with the instructor the best you can. Many people at studios are also beginners, so you don’t need to feel intimidated there, either.
Many People Lose Weight
While not advertised as a cardio or weight loss workout, many people do end up losing pounds with barre workouts. You will burn calories, so if you watch what you consume, you may lose a few pounds. You can choose one of the fat-burning barre workouts as well.