What is Barre? And Can I do it at Home?
Here is what I remember about my very first barre class (and this makes me laugh). My BFF and I signed up for a Groupon to try out a new BARRE class. We are total gym rats and walked in super confident that we had this in the bag and that it was going to be TOTALLY easy.
Fast forward about 2.8 seconds into the class and with side-eye glances to my friend…well…I was dying.
This is not a workout for the faint of heart. Like seriously, do not let the small dumbbells and ladies in cute leggings fool you. Be prepared to sweat (like a lot), say a few curse words under your breath, and have muscles you never knew you had shake like crazy.
Barre is a new fitness phenomenon that places an emphasis on strength training and stretches performed both at a barre, standing, and on the mat. The workout is super challenging and effective in building muscle and providing that toned/sculpted look that women are looking for. With a few modifications, the perfect barre workout can be completed at home through the use of a desk or bench. There are even options to purchase your own barre for home with the booty kicker.
barre at home
What is barre?
Although this workout has been labeled the “pretty girl workout”, don’t let the studio, ladies in lululemon, or equipment fool you.
As each class is a customized workout, the types of equipment needed vary. If you are at a studio or class, check with the instructor or look for the equipment board for what you will need that day. Common equipment seen in class includes small weights, mat, balls, disks, sliders, and resistance bands.
barre at home
Class will start with a warmup and then move into a sequence of moves that could be standing, at the barre, or even on a mat. This is a full body workout for sure! The class will end with a cool down that goes through a series of stretches to increase flexibility of those warm muscles.
This is a class where your core will be involved from the very start to the very end.
What should I wear to a barre class?
Highly recommend a good pair of leggings, sports bra, and top. With the different moves and equipment being used in this class, the last thing you want is to be fighting with your high school sweat pants that are falling off your hips.
Need a good pair of wallet friendly leggings? Check out Old Navy.
Click HERE to see my favorite ones!
Do I need the fancy socks?
The short answer is no. This workout can totally be done barefoot. The socks (or grippy socks) help with stopping the sliding and maybe something to invest in if you become a regular to a barre class. Starting out…just go barefoot.
What are the benefits of Barre?
Barre workouts come with an assortment of major benefits that include improved posture, toned muscle definition, increasing your flexibility, reducing stress, and even weight loss. This is a workout that can meet any fitness level from beginner to super expert. It is also a workout that is safe for pregnant moms as the workout is low impact.
Barre workouts work every single part of the body with a huge focus on the core. Almost all are low impact movements that target a specific muscle group with high reps of each exercise.
barre workout
How to find a workout
Barre workouts can be found at studios specific to barre, big box gyms, online classes, or even written home workouts.
If you are new to barre workouts, I highly recommend trying a few different spots. Take a look at Groupon or Living Social for a deal on a few classes. This way you can try before you buy the entire membership.
Things to think about before signing up for the full membership
Does the Class schedule meet your schedule?
Is the location of the class in a spot that is easy for you to get to?
Do you like the instructor?
Let’s be honest….exercise sucks. We need to find ways that are the “path of least resistance” to both get us there and getting the workout done. Make sure you pick workouts that are convenient for you location wise and has a schedule of classes that met your schedule.
I cannot tell you how many times I said “yep..I can do that 6p class” and then never make it.
The Barre studios can have a high price tag per class and many of the big box gyms offer Barre classes in their membership. Shop around and find the one that best meets your needs.
Can I do Barre at home?
Absolutely! There are a ton of full barre workouts available for free online through Youtube that require minimal to no equipment.
barre at home
If you are new to Barre and have the option to take an in-person class, I would recommend doing that for your first class. Barre has several exercise moves that are not seen outside of a barre class and can be tricky for a first time. Having an instructor that can give real time tips is a major benefit.
I have slowly built up my home barre equipment and this includes lighter weights, mat, small ball, and resistance bands.
For the barre, I have the Booty Kicker and absolutely love it! Start out with a desk, couch, or wall and when you are ready to have a permanent barre at your home, check out the booty kick.
Click HERE to get $20 off your Booty Kicker
The Workout
For today’s workout, I needed something super quick but effective! This series is all core and leg focused.
Grab your barre (or something to hold on to) and your resistance band.
Place the resistance band right above your knees. Standing behind your barre (or desk/couch/counter), raise up on your toes. This will be your starting position.
Turn on some good music! Follow the workout below. Repeat the series 3-4 times.
https://youtu.be/dSU6E9uKk6MVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: <a href="https://youtu.be/dSU6E9uKk6M" title="Barre at Home | #shorts">Barre at Home | #shorts (https://youtu.be/dSU6E9uKk6M)</a>
barre at home
RepsExerciseDescription10SquatsOn toes and holding on to barre, sit back into the invisible chair, focus on squeezing the glutes as you stand back up. Tilt the pelvis front at the top10In/outsOn toes and holding on to the barre, with a slight bend in the knees – open and close the legs into the resistance band10ComboCombine the two moves. As you squat down, continue with the open/close motion into the resistance band10Static Reverse LungesOn toes and holding the barre, step back with the right leg into a static reverse lunge position. Lower down and up. Return to starting position. Repeat for 10 reps on the right side and then switch legs10Static Reverse lunge pulseOn toes and holding the barre, step back with the right leg into a static reverse lunge position. Pulse down for 10 reps and return to starting position. Switch legs.
barre at home
Badass Mama Gang YouTube Workouts
Check out some of my favorite Barre routines that you can do right in your own home. There are a ton of barre, strength, and even booty shaking dance fitness workouts. Make sure to hit that subscribe button and not miss out on new workouts!
Core
https://youtu.be/R8MKsZdZD7cVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: <a href="https://youtu.be/R8MKsZdZD7c" title="EVERYTHING - Lauren Daigle | cardio dance fitness & barre workout">EVERYTHING – Lauren Daigle | cardio dance fitness & barre workout (https://youtu.be/R8MKsZdZD7c)</a>
Arms
https://youtu.be/M3vImfFBGtQVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: <a href="https://youtu.be/M3vImfFBGtQ" title="MILKSHAKE - Kelis | cardio dance fitness & barre | ARM WORKOUT">MILKSHAKE – Kelis | cardio dance fitness & barre | ARM WORKOUT (https://youtu.be/M3vImfFBGtQ)</a>
Whole Body
https://youtu.be/5XJ1eSBl7IkVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: <a href="https://youtu.be/5XJ1eSBl7Ik" title="DANCE MONKEY - Tones and I | cardio dance fitness & barre | LEG/ARM WORKOUT">DANCE MONKEY – Tones and I | cardio dance fitness & barre | LEG/ARM WORKOUT (https://youtu.be/5XJ1eSBl7Ik)</a>
Legs
https://youtu.be/3_8B8TdzF7IVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: <a href="https://youtu.be/3_8B8TdzF7I" title="BREATHE AGAIN - Sara Bareilles | cardio dance fitness & barre | LEG WORKOUT">BREATHE AGAIN – Sara Bareilles | cardio dance fitness & barre | LEG WORKOUT (https://youtu.be/3_8B8TdzF7I)</a>
Sliders
https://youtu.be/VwIKHoSox4gVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: <a href="https://youtu.be/VwIKHoSox4g" title="DON'T START NOW - Dua Lipa | cardio dance fitness & barre | LEG WORKOUT">DON'T START NOW – Dua Lipa | cardio dance fitness & barre | LEG WORKOUT (https://youtu.be/VwIKHoSox4g)</a>
Stretch
https://youtu.be/Vb4uAgDHXpQVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: <a href="https://youtu.be/Vb4uAgDHXpQ" title="Quick shoulder stretch (in your work clothes)">Quick shoulder stretch (in your work clothes) (https://youtu.be/Vb4uAgDHXpQ)</a>
And a Class Favorite!
https://youtu.be/1DyyBbyRvVkVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: <a href="https://youtu.be/1DyyBbyRvVk" title="MEMORIES - Maroon 5| Barre | cardio dance fitness & barre | CORE WORKOUT">MEMORIES – Maroon 5| Barre | cardio dance fitness & barre | CORE WORKOUT (https://youtu.be/1DyyBbyRvVk)</a>
What access to a full class?
Click HERE to get a link to a full barre class that you can do from home. An email will be sent directly to your inbox and just need to hit the play button
barre at home
Wrapping this one up!
Ladies! Be prepared to shake! This is one of my favorite workouts to add into the mix. Can totally do this in a class or at home and you do not need an enormous amount of equipment.
Want to have your own home barre? Check out the Booty Kicker. This sucker does the job on the real and folds down for easy storage.
Highly recommend the booty kicker for home workouts. Use this link to get $20 off AND a free bender ball.
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Jaime Warren is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to www.badassmamagang.com Affiliate links may be used in posts. I only recommend products/services that I absolutely LOVE. Full disclosure policy is located HERE.
Disclosure for all workout programs: I acknowledge that I am participating in a workout that can include strength, flexibility, aerobic, cardio, and other exercises offered by a trained instructor. It is my responsibility to consult with a physician prior to and regarding my participation in any Fitness Program. I represent and warrant that I am physically fit and have no medical condition that would prevent my full participation in this class. In consideration of being permitted to participate in any online and in-person Group Fitness Class, I agree to assume full responsibility for any risks, injuries, or damages, known or unknown, which I might incur as a result of participating in the program. In consideration of being permitted to participating in any Fitness Program, I knowingly, voluntarily, and expressly waive any claim I may have against the owners, landlord, insurers, or any Fitness Instructor for injury or damages that I may sustain as a result of participating in the program. I have read the above release and waiver of liability and fully understand its contents. I voluntarily agree to the terms and conditions stated above.
barre at home