:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Health-GettyImages-1325012669-8d7d7f456e9e454a8e360f81443c3c76.jpg "Women performing barre exercises in a fitness studio each holding onto a mirrored bar")
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- Barre3 is a fitness brand that offers classes combining strength conditioning, aerobic exercise, and mindfulness practices.
- Each class features Primary Posture and a combination of dynamic stretching, isometric movements (like holds and pulses), and cardio bursts.
- Breathwork and a strong mind-body connection are key to the Barre3 workout.
You may have heard of Barre3, the latest low-impact workout that's quickly gaining popularity. The brand states its method combines "strength, cardio, and mindfulness…to teach people to be balanced in body and empowered from within." You can expect a focus on mind-body alignment and a mix of full-range movements and muscle-targeting exercises.
What Is Barre3?
Barre3 is a fitness brand that combines barre—a workout based on classical ballet—with strength, cardio, and yoga techniques.
Like a traditional barre class, Barre3 is low-impact and uses small, controlled pulses and holds, known as isometric movements, to target specific muscles. However, Barre3 also incorporates larger dynamic exercises to boost heart rate and promote full-body movement.
Similar to yoga, Barre3 places a focus on mindfulness and presence in your body.
What Does a Typical Barre3 Class Look Like?
Barre3 combines strength, cardio, and mindfulness, with a blend of movements inspired by traditional barre, yoga, and Pilates. You can expect an emphasis on body alignment and grounding breathwork.
Each Class Starts With Primary Posture
Every Barre3 class begins with an alignment pose known as Primary Posture. To enter this position, you'll:
- Stand with your feet facing forward
- Stack your ankles, knees, hips, and shoulders
- Bend your knees softly to prevent locking your legs
- Bring your ears directly above your shoulders to avoid putting extra weight on your neck
According to the Barre3 website, Primary Posture provides an intentional reset at the start of class and aligns your body before engaging in the workout. Noticing your body's positioning and placement can also help prevent injury, in and outside of class.
Expect a Combination of Strength, Cardio, and Stretching
During your Barre3 workout, you can expect an exercise flow that includes:
- Dynamic stretching: After Primary Posture, most Barre3 classes will start with dynamic stretching exercises, also known as active stretching. These large-range movements keep your body moving through the stretch, shortening and lengthening your muscles. This helps warm and activate the muscles and increases blood flow to improve mobility and flexibility during your workout.
- Isometric movements: These strength-training moves involve holding your muscles in a static position, sometimes with small, controlled movements. An example might be holding a squat position and then doing sets of small pulses. This helps target the muscles without putting as much strain on joints and tendons.
- Cardio bursts: In addition to strength conditioning, Barre3 includes aerobic exercises, also known as cardio. These typically appear as short, high-intensity sessions to get your heart rate up. Research shows short cardio bursts may help improve your VO2 max and overall heart health.
- Static stretching: Barre3 classes will close out with a round of muscle-releasing static stretches. Unlike dynamic stretching, static stretching holds muscles in a lengthened position for an extended period. This helps muscles let go of tightness and begin the recovery process. According to the Barre3 website, it also helps you release stress and feel more emotionally grounded after the workout.
Each exercise also has modifications available to tailor the workout to your fitness ability and goals.
What Equipment Does Barre3 Use?
A Barre3 class may use a variety of fitness equipment, including light dumbbells, a core ball (an 8-inch soft exercise ball), core sliders (small sliding discs for your hands and feet), resistance bands, a yoga mat, and a ballet barre or waist-high surface.
Mindfulness Is a Core Principle
Part of the Barre3 method is to form a strong mind-body connection. Instructors may remind you to tune in to your body or focus on your breathing during each exercise. The expectation is to prioritize being present in your body rather than performing at your highest level. The Barre3 website states, "Instead of exercising to meet an end goal, we exercise to be present in our bodies."
