6 Benefits of a Barre Workout That’ll Make You Want to Give It a Try

In the ever-evolving fitness world, barre is one workout trend that has gracefully leaped to the forefront. Barre is a ballet-inspired workout suitable for all fitness levels, with no dance experience required. 

Here's what you need to know about barre, including potential benefits for your body and mind and how to get started. 

What is a barre workout?

Barre combines elements of ballet, Pilates, and yoga to create a unique workout. But don't worry: You don't have to be a ballerina to reap the benefits. 

Unlike classical ballet, barre is low impact. It incorporates graceful movements performed at a ballet barre, on a chair, or against a wall. You can also practice barre exercises with a Pilates ball, light weights, or resistance bands. 

"I love the variety that barre offers," said Jessica Feldman, director of branding for Life Time classes and Life Barre program instructor. "You can expect to [do] relevés or heel lifts and pliès or ballet squats [in a barre class]. Fun fact: You may also learn some new French words." 

Feldman said other common barre exercises include: 

• Various planks

• Lunges and curtsey lunges on and off the barre

• Glute bridges

• Port-de-bras with light weights

• Side bends

• Leg extensions

• Arabesques 

The goal is to improve muscle strength and flexibility. Think of barre as dancing to become longer and stronger.  

What are the benefits of a barre workout? 

There's a need for more research on the benefits of barre. But plenty of evidence shows that ballet, Pilates, and yoga are great for you. Here are some of the benefits of incorporating barre into your routine.

1. Barre builds muscle strength and endurance

Barre workouts use isometric exercises and repetitive small movements to build muscle strength and endurance. "The ‘barre burn’ often comes from the high repetition of movements, [called] pulsing, to challenge your muscles in new ways," Feldman explained. 

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Isometric exercises like planks challenge you to contract your muscles without moving. They can help you build muscle strength and endurance, especially when you do a high number of repetitions. 

Barre exercises target large muscle groups, including the glutes, quadriceps, and calves. But they also work smaller muscles –– including the hip abductors and adductors in the inner thigh –– that are often overlooked in traditional strength training workouts. 

"No muscle gets left behind, " said Feldman. "You can expect a good muscle burn in your lower body, core, and upper body." That makes barre a great total-body workout. 

2. Barre increases flexibility

Long and strong is the name of the game with barre. "Movements will usually start slower to focus on range of motion and extension to strengthen your muscles," said Feldman. 

The workout is a great way to improve flexibility, thanks to its fusion of yoga and Pilates-inspired stretches. Flexibility allows you to move your muscles and joints through a full range of motion. It's essential for moving through your workouts –– and your daily life –– with ease.

3. Barre may improve posture and balance

"The exciting part of barre classes is working muscles you might not usually challenge while also working on posture and body alignment," said Feldman. 

Barre exercises encourage proper form –– with your shoulders down and your back straight –– as you complete graceful, controlled movements. Strengthening muscles in the chest, upper back, and stomach could also lead to better posture. 

Ballet, Pilates, and yoga have all been shown to improve balance. Barre combines aspects of each method to strengthen your core, which may result in better balance, too. You use the ballet barre for extra support as you practice new moves. 

"Once you've built the foundation, you may feel an increase in [barre exercise] tempo or speed that will challenge your balance," said Feldman.

4. Barre enhances the mind-body connection

Barre is a workout for your body and mind. It challenges you to tune out distractions. You're encouraged to pay attention to your thoughts, emotions, and how your body feels as you move. That can increase mindfulness and promote a mind-body connection. 

"In barre, the magic happens when you can truly focus on the muscles you are working to find a deeper burn that usually ends in a shake," said Feldman. "This is the mind-body connection." More mindfulness and body awareness can lead to other benefits, such as less stress. 

5. Barre provides low-impact exercise

Unlike traditional ballet, barre does not include leaps or jumps. That makes it a low-impact workout that's gentle on the joints. So there's a lower risk of injury. Barre may be suitable for people with conditions that affect the joints and bones, such as arthritis or osteoporosis. But talk to your primary care provider before trying a new workout. 

6. Barre adds variety to your fitness routine

Try barre workouts to add variety to your fitness routine. The mix of ballet, Pilates, and yoga can provide a unique and engaging workout that keeps you motivated to exercise. You might learn new skills –– and some French words –– in the process. 

Who should try barre?

The great thing about barre is that it's suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels. It's an excellent option for those who want to do low-impact exercise, increase flexibility, or try something new. Here are some helpful tips to kickstart your barre journey.

• Aim for consistency. Do barre workouts at least 1-2 times a week to get the full benefits.

• Use what you have. Barre classes may include wall-mounted barres and other equipment. But you can practice at home using a wall or sturdy chair for balance. 

• Listen to your body. Pay attention to how your body feels. Modify exercises as needed to prevent injuries.

The first step is to keep an open mind and try it. "Everyone [can] find a challenge that pushes them slightly outside their comfort zone while feeling [the success] of trying something new," said Feldman. 

You don't have to be a dancer or athlete to experience the benefits of a barre workout. "Perfection is never the goal of any barre class. It's working to become stronger and more confident in your movements," said Feldman. 

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Written by:

Lindsay Wenndt

Lindsay Wenndt is a nationally certified health coach and fitness instructor specializing in orthopedic health. She's the founder of Break Free Fitness, a body-positive health and fitness company that reserves 10% of membership and coaching packages as scholarships for low-income women.

Edited by:

Lauren Savage, MA

Lauren Savage, MA, is a health editor at GoodRx, where she focuses on movement, exercise, and healthy aging. She aims to provide readers with the information they need to live healthier, more active lifestyles.

Reviewed by:

Sanjai Sinha, MD

Sanjai Sinha, MD, is a board-certified physician with over 20 years of experience. He specializes in internal medicine.

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