Barre classes as main fitness?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not enough cardio. And frankly not even great for strength training. It’s mostly a place to parade expensive yoga pants and cosmetic surgery.

I have to agree. I guess it depends what you want. It is better than nothing and better than if your only exercise is mall walking.

[Anonymous]

I did barre as my only form of exercise for a few years and I never felt better. I never got sick (colds, flu), I had no body issues, etc. I did tire of it and lost the motivation to go on a daily basis. I cut-back to once a week. Now that I go much less frequently, I am susceptible to colds and my biggest body complaint is plantar fasciitis which I attribute to my calf muscles being tight.

I am now walking much more and doing a few other classes at other gyms.

[Anonymous]

Sounds perfect, OP. Perhaps select some yoga exercises at home that fill in the gaps that Barre doesn't address?

[Anonymous]

Definitely check out different kinds of Barre classes because some do include more cardio and actual ballet moves and some are just small isometric movements. I love the Barre class at my gym (Freedom Barre) because it does include more ballet and cardio movements. When I tried out Pure Barre, it was completely toning/no ballet and not as enjoyable for me personally (because I like dance). I think Barre + walking would be enough but if you join a gym (less expensive than most Barre memberships) you will have much more variety and options for exercise.

[Anonymous]

I did Bar Method for two years, and got into terrific shape. Then I switched to Barre3, which is a very different workout from Bar Method. It's more difficult, and there's a cardio component. I actually prefer it over Bar Method.

So - I do Barre 3-4 times/week, and walk 2 mile, twice a week.

Now, if you want to get into the best overall shape of your life - Orange Theory is your answer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I did Bar Method for two years, and got into terrific shape. Then I switched to Barre3, which is a very different workout from Bar Method. It's more difficult, and there's a cardio component. I actually prefer it over Bar Method.

So - I do Barre 3-4 times/week, and walk 2 mile, twice a week.

Now, if you want to get into the best overall shape of your life - Orange Theory is your answer.

I’m a PP and Bar Method client who has considered moving to Barre3, mostly because the one near me offers childcare. Can you expand on what you like better about Barre3? How do the instructors and studios compare?

[Anonymous]

I do Pure Barre 6x/week, and when combined with a moderately strict diet, I am within 5 lbs of my weight 20 years ago. My arms are very cut and my butt is perky. That said - it's much harder to keep it all in check, being over 40, without doing cardio and I really do have to police my diet. I do the Empower (baby HIIT for barre) 2x/week, but I'm thinking about joining OrangeTheory. I just don't feel pumped about another $150 a month in memberships.

[Anonymous]

Thank you so much, everyone - from OP. I am thinking of joining Barre3, as I like that it combines yoga and pilates core into the routine. I was concerned about lack of cardio, so good to know that Barre3 incorporates some (thanks PP who does Barre3). I cannot afford to join a barre studio and another gym, but perhaps I should give some thought to joining a gym that offers good barre classes. Any suggestions in the Bethesda/Chevy Chase area (I am a prior Sport and Health member and do not love that gym).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I did Bar Method for two years, and got into terrific shape. Then I switched to Barre3, which is a very different workout from Bar Method. It's more difficult, and there's a cardio component. I actually prefer it over Bar Method.

So - I do Barre 3-4 times/week, and walk 2 mile, twice a week.

Now, if you want to get into the best overall shape of your life - Orange Theory is your answer.

I’m a PP and Bar Method client who has considered moving to Barre3, mostly because the one near me offers childcare. Can you expand on what you like better about Barre3? How do the instructors and studios compare?

Instructors are fabulous at both. They really seem passionate about what they're teaching. That's pretty much where the similarities end.

Barre3 involves a lot of movement, your heart rate stays pretty elevated throughout most of the class, whereas Bar Method has very little in the way of large, cardio-like movements. Only time I ever recall my heart rate increasing in Bar Method was when I did a Bar Move class and even then, it was still not a lot of "movement".

Also with Barre3 we do a ton of balance work away from the bar, requiring us to keep our cores engaged for a long time (without assistance of the bar). And we hardly ever touch the bar in Barre3 - in most classes we may be at the bar for only 5 mins. In Bar Method, 95% of the class is at the bar.

Barre3 - very little in the way of repetitive movements, unlike Bar Method where you'll spend 10 mins in foldover or pretzel.

Only reason I changed to Barre3 was because my BM studio lost their lease and closed down. I was so upset, and was sure I wouldn't find another workout as great as Bar Method, but I was wrong. Barre3 in my opinion is superior - for what I personally am needing in a workout.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the info, Barre3 poster. Maybe I’ll try an intro package at Barre3 and see how I like it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Interesting how many barre fans incorporate walking. I used to run but quit because I found it so hard on my joints.

I've intentionally avoided running because injuries seem inevitable if continued long-term.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I belong to a barre studio and have for 3 years. I’m at the point now where I have to switch up to challenge my body and avoid boredom but it was great for two years. I’ve added weightlifting and occasional cycling classes.

This was my post and I'm also a Barre3 member (14th Street). I've never tried another barre method so I don't have anything to compare it to. I didn't have a six-pack ever until I joined. Flat tummy, sure, but never any definition until I started going 5 times a week. PP is correct that nearly every move engages the core muscles. I have about 10 ls to lose which I've gained over the past several months from poor eating and barre3 1-2 a week as my only exercise until recently. The 4 week January challenge starts next Monday and I'll probably lose 5 lbs from going 5x/week. If your neighborhood Barre3 studio participates, its a great way to jumpstart your fitness routine in the new year. They have an intro monthly membership package that you can try.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not enough cardio. And frankly not even great for strength training. It’s mostly a place to parade expensive yoga pants and cosmetic surgery.

I agree and yes I have been to barre. The fact is you need some kind of cardio and getting your heart rate up to keep weight off. Barre and some walks aren’t going to do it especially as you age.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interesting how many barre fans incorporate walking. I used to run but quit because I found it so hard on my joints.

I've intentionally avoided running because injuries seem inevitable if continued long-term.

I’m 40 and have been running for 25 years without any major injuries. I developed arthritis in my foot after having unrelated Lyme disease, but never had a major running injury that lasted beyond 2 months or so. There’s a lot of misinformation out there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the info, Barre3 poster. Maybe I’ll try an intro package at Barre3 and see how I like it.

The suggestion from a prior poster to join ClassPass was a great one. Both Barre3 and PureBarre are part of it as are a bunch of other barre studios. There’s is an offer for a free trial month right now and it would let you try various options to see what you prefer. I much prefer Barre3 over PureBarre for the reasons others have said, but I know others who are opposite. Sign up for ClassPass, use it for a month and then make a choice. You might like the variety that ClassPass allows and keep it or you will find your “home” and get a membership there. Good luck!