Beginners Guide to Barre
Barre has gotten big in the past few years. This dance-inspired workout has created a cult-like following for the quick results and muscle burning classes. Here’s everything you need to know about the popular workout, and where you can try it.
What is Barre?
Barre is the combination of pilates, yoga, and ballet. In the workouts you focus a lot on form and balancing yourself (typically on a barre, duh) while you make small movements for several repetitions. This kind of movement is known as isometric strength training (holding your body still while you contract a specific set of muscles) combined with high reps of small range-of-motion movements. Lots of classes also incorporate light handheld weights as well as mats for targeted core work.
Benefits of Barre
So what’s so great about balancing and doing tiny movements? Barre has major benefits like improved posture, muscle definition, weight loss, and increased flexibility, to name a few. Barre is also good for increased mindfulness because there’s such a focus on form and alignment, and the workouts require a ton of focus and concentration. Plus, anyone at just about any fitness level can sign up for a class.
Why You Should Try Barre
The workout has people coming back again and again because of the quick results. It’s a well-rounded exercise program, it's perfect for those short on time, plus it’s fun! By doing barre regularly, you'll also notice a remarkable improvement in your core strength and posture. You can also have a reason to feel like the ballerina you’ve always wanted to be. Need we say more?
What to Expect
The class usually starts with a warm-up and some upper-body exercises to target the biceps, triceps, chest, and back muscles. Then you'll use the barre and your own body weight for resistance to focus on the thigh and butt muscles, with some core exercises to follow. For the cool down, you'll go through a series of stretches to increase flexibility and allow your muscles to recover. As for what to wear think yoga clothes, and you don’t need to wear shoes. It’s a good idea to bring water and face towel to wipe the barre and your face as you sweat and feel the burn.
Where to Try Barre Classes
Shanghai has a wealth of fitness studios to pick from, and barre can be found at many. Here are our top picks for where to try it out.
Photo source: Z&B
Z&B Fitness
Xuhui address: 14/F, 1219 Changle Lu, near Wulumuqi Zhong Lu
Tel: 021 6121 9079
Jingan address: 6/F, 278 Shaanxi Bei Lu, near Nanjing Xi Lu
Tel: 021 6149 1791
Price: First trial RMB 50; drop in RMB 150; 10 classes for RMB 1200; 20 classes for RMB 2200
Photo source: SpaceCycle
SpaceCycle
Address: 3/F, 789 West Nanjing Lu (across from Nike)
Tel: 021 3656 3936
Price: Drop-in RMB 258, 10 classes RMB 1,850, 30 classes RMB 5,100
Photo source: Barre in Fusion
Barre in Fusion
Address: Room 2802, No.128, Pu An Road (near Middle Jin Ling Road)
Tel: 18621985437
Price: Trial class, if booked on Dianping, RMB 198 for 3 classes, drop in class RMB 250, 10 classes RMB 2,000 (one class added free)
Photo source: Super Model Fit
Super Model Fit
Address: Jiashan road location: Studio 501, Jiashan Buliding, 251 Jiashan Road, near Yong Jia Road
West Jianguo location: W3, Jian Ye Li, 492 West Jianguo Road (near Yueyang Road)
Tel: 15000553198
Price: 2 trial classes RMB 300, drop in after trials RMB 300 per time; 10 classes for RMB 1800
Photo source: TopFit
TopFit Studio
Address: 3F, Bldg. 23, No. 333 Weihai Road
Tel: 18717963822
Price: RMB 50 trial, Drop-in RMB 170, 10 times RMB 1,250
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