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I’m a little biased, but I think doing a barre workout is one of the best ways you can spend 45 minutes. This low-impact, beginner-friendly exercise works your entire body and puts your endurance to the test—all while set to a bumpin’ playlist.
Maybe you’re familiar with barre’s big sister, pilates? Barre borrows many core exercises from the modality, but adds to it with full-body movements and incorporating light weights. It’s also more beat-driven (hello, fun music) compared to pilates, which revolves around the breath (à la yoga).
If I’m being honest, my number one reason for doing barre is that it’s fun (a super underrated consideration when it comes to a sweat sesh), but it has a bunch of other benefits too.
Read on for everything you’re getting out of a barre workout, according to experts.
Meet the experts: Katelyn DiGiorgio is the VP of training and technique and master teacher trainer at Pure Barre. Kara Liotta, CPT, is the co-founder of KKSWEAT, a barre and HIIT studio in New York City. Rachelle Reed, PhD, is an exercise scientist and Pure Barre instructor based in Athens, GA.
Benefits Of Barre Workouts
There are many perks that come with dabbling in barre classes to supplement your other training or making them your go-to workouts.
Increased flexibility and mobility.
Borrowing from ballet and all the flexibility that dancers need, barre classes can help improve your stretchiness. “Some exercises can involve a bit of mobility, particularly in your hips,” Kara Liotta, the co-founder of KKSWEAT previously told WH. Beyond the specific ballet-inspired moves, you’ll also get a fair amount of stretching in most barre workouts to stretch out the muscles you’ll be exhausting, she added.
Increased Muscle Strength
Any form of resistance training—calisthenics, weight lifting, and barre—will increase muscle mass. Studies show that yes, intensity or added weight builds muscle, but so can volume, which is what barre is all about.
Oh, and because so many of the moves you’ll work through in class get your abs and back fired up, you can bet you’ll sculpt a stronger, more defined core, Katelyn DiGiorgio, the VP of training and technique and master teacher trainer at Pure Barre, said. (And, BTW, doing strength training and building muscle also has benefits for your bone density.)
Improved Endurance
“Barre workouts are all about endurance, form, and repetition,” Liotta said. “You hold positions for a long time and exhaust reps, but with minimal weight.” Because you are spending a good amount of time in each shape to really wear out the muscles, you also can truly feel what part of your body you are supposed to be activating and strengthening.
Alleviated Joint Pain
Barre classes are low-impact, which can reduce the risk of injury and help if you are already injured. “Many people are working with injuries and still want a solid physical challenge without feeling like they have to modify everything,” Liotta said. “Barre is low-impact because there is no jumping whatsoever in a traditional barre workout.” That also makes it a great option for pre- and postnatal women, DiGiorgio said.
Better Posture
So many of the moves in a barre class also target your abs and core. So not only can you work toward a stronger, more defined core, you’ll also be gaining solid strength to improve your posture, balance, and overall agility.
Improved Lower Back Pain
Because of barre’s core-strengthening and posture-improving abilities, it can lead to reduced lower back pain, Rachelle Reed, PhD, an exercise scientist and a Pure Barre instructor for over ten years, said.
Proper Cross Training
You don’t have to go all in on barre to feel the effects. Even if your primary focus is on getting ready for a race, barre class can be a great form of cross-training to maintain strength and well-rounded fitness, DiGiorgio said.
Strengthened Pelvic Floor
Another part of your body that barre works? Your pelvic floor, Reed said. For this reason, she also said it could be a good option for pregnant people looking to get active, assuming they talk to their doctors first. “I taught and took bar throughout both of my pregnancies and postpartum experiences,” Reed said. “Because it’s low impact and so good for pelvic floor training, I felt so strong and prepared for both.”
Psst: One small, observational study from 2023 found that—among the 25 women with urinary incontinence issues they surveyed—all saw significant improvement after ten Pure Barre sessions.
Convinced to give barre a try? Do it in style with these editor-approved picks.
Spacedye Slim Racerback Cropped Tank
There’s a reason every person in my barre studio has this top from Beyond Yoga. It has a built-in bra for support, is soft, and doesn’t ride up.
$68.00 at beyondyoga.com
Airweight High Waist Legging
My pair of Splits59 airweight high waist leggings are my go-to for class. They are soft, provide the perfect amount of support, and I cannot emphasize enough how flattering they are.
$98.00 at splits59.com
Daily Multi-Pocket Canvas Tote Bag 20L *Logo
I’ve been keeping this spacious Lululemon bag packed for class since I got it. It has a magnetic clasp, durable canvas material, and multiple pockets for easy access and organized storage of all the odds and ends I bring with me to the studio.
$68.00 at lululemon.com
Grip Socks
I got these Amazon-find grip socks before my first barre class, and I’ve never looked back. They’re super affordable (much more-so than the ones you might have to buy last-minute at your studio) and keep me planted on the floor, even during a particularly sweaty session.
$9.99 at amazon.com
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