Barre Is Having a Moment – Top 10 Reasons to Add It to Your Workout Routine
- Barrebyangela
- May 22
- 3 min read
By Angela Murray
As a former ballet dancer, I have always understood and deeply felt, the unique magic of a ballet inspired workout. It’s not just the physical benefits that you can see and feel in your body; it’s also the mental clarity and stress relief that follows every class.
Barre is also the only form of exercise I have never grown tired of. There’s always a new step to master, and a fresh challenge in the movements that are already known to the body. After 22 years at the barre, I can confidently say: if I’m not bored yet, you won’t be either.
Benefits of Barre ;
1. Improved Muscle Tone
Barre targets smaller, stabilising muscles that are often overlooked in traditional workouts. These precise controlled movements, assist in improving muscular definition and increase overall stability of body.
2. Increased Flexibility
Stretching is incorporated throughout the class as we work through each muscle group. This not only improves your range of motion but also contributes to better flexibility and reduced joint stiffness over time.
3. Better Posture
From start to finish, your core is engaged. Barre places a strong emphasis on body awareness (also known as proprioception), helping you become more mindful of alignment and improving your posture both in and outside of class. There are some fun sayings that your instructor will use like ‘keep your crown on, its dropping’ or ‘chest proud, show off that necklace.’ My favourite derives from my ballet teacher about each of us having a tail…. Come to class to figure that one out!
4. Low Impact
Barre is gentle on the joints. Unlike high-impact workouts, it avoids jumping and jarring movements, making it a safe and sustainable choice for all fitness levels.
5. Increased Endurance
Those tiny pulses aren’t just for show. Small repetitive movements build muscle endurance by fatiguing the muscle and burning it out. With each class, you’ll find yourself able to sustain effort for longer periods without fatigue and building your endurance.
6. Core Strength
Core engagement is a key focus throughout the entire class. This consistent activation helps build a stronger, more supportive centre which is crucial for balance, stability, and injury prevention.
7. Stress Relief
The rhythmic, flowing nature of barre, paired with conscious breathwork and focused movement, offers a calming effect on the nervous system. Because the movements require concentration and precision, your mind stays fully present and leave you feeling refreshed and mentally clearer after class.
8. Improved Balance
Barre strengthens the ankle joints and deep core muscles, both of which play a vital role in balance. Over time, you’ll notice improvements in both static and dynamic stability. Ballerinas have to have incredible strength to maintain balance in the centre without a barre and perform these exercises at the barre to assist them in pointe work.
9. Reduced Risk of Injury
Thanks to its low-impact nature and focus on slow-twitch muscle fibres, barre helps build resilience and stability in key supporting muscles. This not only boosts performance but also decreases your risk of injury.
10. A Sense of Community
One of barre's most underrated benefits is the community it fosters. Whether you're in-studio or online, you're part of a supportive group of people who motivate and encourage one another, making it easier to stay committed and enjoy the journey.
Naturally, people will wonder: Is one class a week enough to see and feel a difference? Should I attend classes like a ballet dancer to experience results?
Absolutely not! After just one class, you will start to see and feel a difference. (I promise you will activate and feel the burn in muscles you never knew you had) In fact, Krasova et al. (2023) state that ‘classes had a cumulative effect: even once a week, there was a positive effect of exercise on the body.’ So do not stress about attending more than one class a week, just come and have fun and feel the burn!
Want to start a beginner's course? I am delighted to announce that one will be starting soon! 4 weeks, 4 classes, every Wednesday evening at 6;30pm - Invesment is €50
See you at the barre,
Angela xxx
References
Lim, E.J. and Park, J.E., 2019. The effects of Pilates and yoga participants on engagement in functional movement and individual health level. Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation, 15(4), pp.553–559. https://doi.org/10.12965/jer.1938280.140.
Krasova, I., Semyzorova, A., Deineko, A., Beihul, I. and Shyshkina, O., 2023. Barre-fitness as a modern means of improving the health of women in the first period of adulthood. Physical Rehabilitation and Recreational Health Technologies, 8(1), pp.29–38. https://doi.org/10.15391/prrht.2023-8(1).04.
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