Barre Anywhere!
Learn About Barre Fitness!
The word barre is a French term used in ballet for a handrail placed at hip height and used by dancers to maintain balance during practice. The name is also known in the fitness industry as a type of workout. Barre, if you are unaware, is a combination of Yoga meets Pilates meets Ballet. It was created by ballerina Lotte Berk while living in London in 1959. After injuring her back, she got the idea of combining her ballet barre routines with her rehabilitative therapy to form an exercise system. Lotte wound up opening the first “Barre” facility, The Lotte Berk Studio in her West End basement with many celebrities, like Barbara Streisand and Joan Collins attending classes.
Barre focuses on the lower body and core and is used to develop flexibility and strength from the ankles to the abdominals. It stresses proper form and alignment to help develop the back and improve posture, but it doesn’t stop there! In every one hour class, the whole body and each muscle group is activated making barre one of the best workouts to experience. In the last several years the resurgence of barre is undeniable, gaining worldwide attention not only in boutique studios, but in the pool as well.
Barre Fitness And Aquatic
Exercising in an aquatic environment opens up a whole new world both mentally and physically. The properties of water allow your body to use buoyancy for resistance and provide less stress on the joints. Aquatic fitness classes can take place in shallow or deep water. When it comes to converting a land barre class into an aqua barre class in the shallow end, all you need is a pool noodle or even just the edge of the wall. Both items act as a barre to help the participant’s balance, but the noodle offers a bit more instability since it isn’t secure. For even more of a challenge, barre classes can take place on a stand-up paddle board; talk about working on core strength! Imagine floating on an unstable surface down on all fours, gripping the edge of the paddle board with your right hand while slowly lifting your left leg to the sky and reaching the left hand straight out ahead of you. Not a class for the faint of heart! Taking a barre class in the pool is not only stimulating, but also refreshing since the water also delivers a cooler environment to exercise.
Benefits of Attending Barre Class
The benefits of attending a barre class are endless. As you’re reading this, you may be slouching in your chair (you probably just sat up tall) well if you were partaking in regular barre workouts, then your back muscles would be noticeably stronger, resisting the need to slouch. Take a look at other reasons to add barre classes to your weekly workout regimen. This is just the tip of the iceberg.
Barre Workout Benefits
- Improves posture
- Strengthens glutes
- Tones abdominal muscles
- Increases flexibility
- Reduces stress
- Better mental focus
- Increases all over strength
- Improves endurance
Protecting Your Feet In Barre Classes
One last tip: if you are considering trying a barre class, protect your feet. As with any form of exercise, it is advised to wear some type of support. Both on land and in the water, unforeseen dangers can lurk. Whether it be a stone, hair clip or even a piece of glass. Barreletics Performance Skin Footwear offers all over grip and support both in-studio taking Barre/Yoga/Pilates or when working out in the pool doing water aerobics, aqua barre or any other pool or beach activity! Being aware of your surroundings and the surface supporting your body will help activate and alleviate any issues that may arise. You will walk (or swim) out of class not only feeling strong and empowered but mindful as well.
Never lose your grip and balance. Choose "In Studio" Performance Skins