Happy Friday! Glad we made it. Today I have convinced my lovely blend Jolene to write a second guest post on the Benefits of Barre workouts.
Well after that post, I had the chance to stay with Jolene and take one of her classes. I adored it (and her teaching)! And I felt worked, but in a good way. I was intrigued by all the different classes they offered and how BARRE workouts really can WORK your whole body at once. Hence this guest post. So enjoy, and uh.. GO TAKE BARRE!
The benefits of the barre: round two!
When Lindsay asked me to guest blog for her again about the benefits of barre workouts, I immediately jumped at the opportunity. Thank you Lindsay, once again, for allowing me to share my viewpoint on why barre workouts are so amazing and above all? Why it is so important to find something that works for you – specifically you, and nobody else.
Because when you do? It is an absolute joy to work out, and something to look forward to, not look forward to…getting it over with. Some may be shaking their heads at that premise, but it’s the truth!
But why do they work? Here’s why…
Variety, variety, variety.
What I so adore about the classes at barre n9ne, and not just about barre workouts, period, is the variety that keeps-you-guessing and doesn’t ever get boring, doesn’t ever become monotonous and doesn’t ever become easier. It’s always a challenge. It’s always difficult (yet achievable!) and it always delivers results.
Targets the trouble spots women target most!
Let’s face it – inner thighs (and thighs generally), glutes, abs, and arms (triceps, specifically!) are those areas women most want to slim down when looking for a workout regime. And what I love about barre n9ne workouts is that they target these areas and truly torch them. For example, we believe in plies, plies, plies, not lunges and squats, that lean out the tops and sides of our thighs, rather than building up the ‘swoop’ that can happen when you tend to over-build up the fronts and sides of your thighs, as squats and lunges tend to focus on (great for men, notsogreat for women!). I used to adore squats and lunges, yet I abhorred (okay, maybe that’s a strong word! it was a trouble spot!) my thighs and inner thighs and never understood why they were never quite improving. With more focus on leaning the legs with isometric movements, lighter weights and high repetition, the results are obvious in all of our clients. Seeing before and after pictures come in, the first thing I always notice, thighs, abs, arms. Bingo.
Muscle failure, burn, baby, burn.
(see, even men can benefit)
We always tell our clients, especially those just starting out, to ’embrace the shake’ of their muscles, don’t shy away from it. That shake is muscle failure and working it to the max, which leads to muscle toning, like whoa. Lean, mean, machine! I said in my last post for Lindsay, that you just feel worked from head to toe after a class, and it’s just so true. Every single time. Every single class. That shake, that burn, that shut-your-eyes-and-breathe-through-it…it just works.
It complements cardio, big time.
Add in a cardio element – running, walking, biking, whatever you like, and you have a very well rounded workout regime. It’s all about smarter, not harder, too, which I adore. Toss in a few 30-45 min cardio bursts interspersed with your barre classes (2-4 times a week) and you truly get an amazing workout, in a short amount of time. The tiny movements, zillion reps, and burn, shake, and burn some more of the barre, combined with getting your sweat on, and your body just responds. It is truly the first and only approach that has ever worked for me, and not only worked, but is a sustainable, fun, and effective workout that works for any age, any shape, any size, any activity level, from beginners to advanced, in a fun, social and supportive community.
Now what’s better than that?!
It goes back to what I said in the beginning…it’s all about finding an approach that works best for YOU and only YOU. And when you do? It is pure joy, day in and day out. And for me, I feel blessed to not only live this lifestyle, I have the honor of teaching it every single day (give or take!).
Now, who’s ready for barre workout? GO FOR IT! I’m sure there are plenty of barre studios in your area.
Thank you Jo (aka Jolene) for the guest post. You (and Jess) are AMAZING!
[Tweet “Reasons Why BARRE Workouts WORK! via @LCCotter @Jolene_Emulex #fitfluential #barre”]
Cheers,
LC
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I’ve been trying to look for reviews regarding Barre workout and I can’t seem to find any. I’m glad I found this blog! I’ve been having some health problems and the doctor required me to include more exercise in my lifestyle and I just can’t seem to find any that I fancy. Thank you for your review!
LOVE THIS!! I always worry that barre workouts aren’t enough… but you’re right, the variety is awesome. I think they are so fun too – with the right teacher, of course!
It does look great! I just looked into the studio in my neighborhood. Price is an issue though, my skating takes all the budget I can spare for fitness.
i can imagine! you should see if you can just try out the studio anyway. I’m sure they’d give you a free week. maybe?
I LOVE Barre workouts! I have taught aerobics for 8+ years, and barre classes are by far my favorite classes to teach! I love the various formats Barre Nine offers. They look so fun!
ahh that’s awesome! we need to go together sometime!
I’ve only done a couple of barre workouts, but man they were good!! Thanks for sharing the details 🙂 I gotta get back to the barre and add more into my regular routine.
I used to do ballet all the time so I know I would love barre. Just need to find a class close by! Great post!
is it as popular in Australia as it is here?
It is still pretty new here, but definitely gaining in popularity.
I love, love Barre workout. We recently had a Pure Barre studio open in our town {Sonoma, CA} and it is awesome! I had been doing boot camp for about 2 years and tried a Barre class. It was a love/hate thing right away and such a different workout from what I had ever done before. I have since left boot camp and have been doing Pure Barre for about 3 months now and am signed on for a year…Embracing the “shake” and “burn” every time 🙂 If anyone has a studio near by, then testing this out is a no brainer
oh my! i need to visit for more than wine then!
that is my DREAM!! barre studio and Sonoma!! Well, actually, Healdsburg, my mecca and second home away from home 😉 Sounds perfect!!
I feel like I would LOVE barre workouts, but I have never tried it. Yet! I keep hearing such rave reviews.
see if you can get a free pass to go! you’d love it, i’m sure Traci!
I’m a lover of The Dailey Method! I got started in Barre classes in January and I Am hooked! I go 3-4 times a week and still get my runs in 4-5 times! It’s amazing and wonderful and the perfect balance for a runner! Today I am headed to the Dailey Interval which is a 45 minute cardio class with the focus of barre moves! Love it!
that’s the perfect combo! i wish could come with you today. Enjoy!
I LOVE barre workouts! Such an incredible workout! I love that shake you get from muscle fatigue. Oh and plies are the best…that and pretzel!
Incredible post Jo! xoxo
you have to take Jo’s class sometime! it’s amazing, because of her of course
awww 😉 love you both! XOXOXO! I want to take BOTH of your classes!! any and all that you teach 🙂 it will happen!
I’ve only been to one barre class, but I loved it! It totally worked all my weaknesses and left me shaky!
I haven’t made it back to a class but have done quite a few online. I want to go again, to make sure I’m doing certain things the right way!
I went to barre class a couple of years back. It was fun..and I totally felt it the next day lol
I love this so much and love seeing Jo here!! Oh man, embrace the shake! That shake is pretty intense. I want to take more barre classes and I can’t wait to take one with Jess and Jo!
I would adore that Christine 🙂 🙂 June when you are in town?!?
I have been wanting to try a barre workout! Specialized studios are pretty limited here though. It may require an Austin road trip! 😉
I have never tried barre workouts – I am curious – are they similar to pilates or yoga workouts?
i think they are totally different than pilates, but bet Jolene can give you scoop on that one. I’ll let her answer.
Totally different – I mean, some studios may incorporate yoga or pilates into their barre classes, but ours are much more isometric toning and leaning with small movements and pulses, a gazlillion reps at light weights etc. stretching between sets but nothing of a yoga or pilates variety.
All of the local classes are so far frmo me I hope to take a barre class soon!
so many in ATX! hehe
Barre workouts are NO JOKE (included in that list are pilates classes, too). Like you, it targets muscles I don’t use very often – and it hurts like a mother $%#@$*&, haha
I need to get back to Barre to help strengthen some muscles that “grew” and stretched when I was pregnant.
heehee, it does hurt like a mother, doesn’t it?! in the best way 🙂
I really have wanted to try it but no $$ right now. Looks great! I did see a job in my area to train people BUT they were actually looking for head shots – now that turned me off BUT it was in Newport Beach which is all hung up on looks & status so… but it really intrigues me – the workout. 🙂
oh ya, i totally get that. funny how different areas come across a different way, ya know?
Sad that no one teaches Barre around here – I do love Cathe Frederichs Barre DVD. So true – muscle failure every time I do that workout!!!
maybe we need a road trip to boston!!!
yes! road trip 😉 I have cathe’s barre dvd on my phone for when I travel! it is pretty good!
I’ve only taken one barre-like class, but it was interesting. I’d live to try another one!
I’ve been doing the barre challenge at PB in Lynnfield and it has been awesome so far. I really want to take one of Jolene’s classes because I feel like she’d be one of those instructors that I’d click with 🙂
I would love that Kelly! 🙂 I think we would too!!
yay!!! i love barre it really has toned my legs so nicely! i made a printable workout after i completed 20 classes in 30 days : http://thedelicateplace.com/2013/02/06/valentine-booty-errr-be-mine/
i also like barre bee fit for more interval training when compared with pure barre method 🙂
i loved you post on it!! i need to try the barre bee fit. sounds fun
yay, i want to come back with michelle for another class at jolene’s studio!
yay, I would love that!!! 🙂
Such a motivating Post, Jo!
Looks April is my month at our gym to get rolling with our own ‘wild barre’ classes! I . Can’t. Wait!
Xoxo to you, Jess and LC!
XOXOXO!! I want to take your class!! must visit 🙂 XOXO
I just signed up for my first Pilates Barre class – cannot wait to try it!
I have not yet tried a Barre workout, but have been meaning too! It is so hard to fit everything in….I need to workout for a living.
Looking at you, Jolene, they clearly do work! I took a mini-barre class last summer and it was hard–I’d love to get into one more regularly.
aww why thank you 🙂 Hope you give it a whirl again!
I take a lot of classes, but have never taken Barre. I’ve heard it’s awesome and know that people love it. You had me at, “Embrace the shake”
I haven’t tried BARRE workouts before, but they sound amazing! I could totally see myself benefiting from them. I hope to get to try a class soon!
i love BARRE workouts. i try to make at least two a week. such a great allover workout.
Loooooooooove!! Obviously 😉
barre FTW!!
Everything my sister said x10000 hehe. Such a barre geek, I can’t help it!! It just works. :):):)
Love you BOTH (linds and Jo)!!
People keep telling me I need to try this. I may have to now! I’ll probably fall over… lol!
Great cross training for all that you do!! 🙂
This post is so timely, as I am going to give my sister-in-law a class pass for the barre studio in Toronto, something we can try out together, I can’t wait!
I use Bar Method DVDs at home and love them. The most advanced DVD is a workout where I literally do feel like my leg muscles are on fire!
Great for toning and building strength.
I love barre!!! (Good to know that is isn’t all in my head- I KNEW those workouts were tough!!) I wish it was a little more affordable, but I still think it’s worth it!
it is more pricey than a gym membership, for sure, but it is worth it, too, if you can swing it. I never thought I’d pay more than a typical gym membership to work out, but it has been soooo worth it for me!
not going to lie… i don’t love barre workouts.. i find them kind of boring… that’s not saying i don’t think they work.. i think barre workouts are super challenging and i’m definitely sore after!!!!
i love your honesty linz! and i would have to say it totally depends on the instructor. Jolene was kick ass! not a boring move at all… and i’m easily bored. haha
I agree, it totally depends on the studio too, because I will fully admit that I have been to some chains (emphasis on chains…) that bore me to tears, no variety, short sets etc. But barre is not for everyone either 😉
Barre is so much fun! A great way to change things up! Love doing it with my SIL when we head to DC something new! Go barre
love that you go with you SIL!
I have always wanted to try one of these classes but we have none in the area. It looks great!
a bummer that you don’t have any near you! hopefully something opens up nearby for you to try 🙂
I have never tried one of these, but they look like a ton of fun! I have a big list of classes/exercises/plans that I hope to try someday when I am not a competitive athlete, but for right now I am too exhausted to add anything else in there 🙂 Thanks for the insight! Have a wonderful Friday!
I need to try Barre. It has just popped up in our area a lot. Is it ok for baby bumps?
totally BUMP friendly and probably really good for the bump! <3
absolutely great for those expecting 🙂 lots of modifications available too!