Sorry folks, that’s “barre”, not “bar”. Champagne and cocktails won’t quite have the same effect as the new workout trend that’s hitting Australia. Wildly popular in the US, barre workouts are buzzing in Australia and are set to be the new pilates. Celebs are in on the act with Madonna, Drew Barrymore and Natalie Portman being barre enthusiasts.
What is it?
Barre Body fuses ballet barre conditioning with yoga and pilates to create a workout that tones and strengthens one’s body while creating beautiful long, lean muscles (like a ballet dancer). Take yourself back to ballet lessons as a little girl and think of pliés and arabesques and then blend them with sun salutes and warrior postures. Hard work, but lots of fun.
Classes have been developed in the style of interval training, alternating strengthening sets to increase the heart rate and sculpt the muscles, and yogic stretches to slow down the heart rate and shape the muscles.
The result?
A beautiful, flowing workout that changes your body shape and delivers fast results.
Want to know more?
We sat down with Barre Body founder, Emma Seibold, to find out why hitting the barre is the best way to a banging bod this winter.
Lifestyle YOU: Why did you start Barre Body?
Emma: I’ve always been a passionate lover of yoga, but found that it didn’t tone my body the way that strength training did, so I decided to incorporate a little barre work into my yoga routine and the results were pretty amazing in a very short time. At four months post baby, after only one month of Barre Body style workouts, I found myself in the best shape I have ever been in.
Lifestyle YOU: Who would benefit from barre workouts?
Emma: Honestly? Everyone! Barre work, combined with yoga and pilates, provides the perfect balance of flexibility, toning, core work and interval training for weight loss. It really does have it all!
It’s particularly good for people who don’t want the bulk that comes with traditional strength training and people who want a more feminine work out incorporating yoga. As a new mum, I also must mention that it’s very good for pregnant women who want to retain their shape, fitness and strength throughout their pregnancy, and for new mums who want to regain theirs in a quick and enjoyable fashion.
LY: What parts of the body is it best for toning?
Emma: Definitely your arms (no more flab!) and legs (long, lean thighs), but most of all, your butt. As a rule, we spend a lot of time time sitting on our butts and not enough time toning them – Barre Body really targets the glutes with the intention of creating a beautiful, high, rounded backside.
LY: Do you think barre is here to stay, or a passing fad? Why?
Emma: It’s absolutely here to stay. Barre has been around for a long time in the US and has really risen in popularity over the past few years. There are hundreds of dedicated studios over there and it continues to grow. My studio has been open since February and we already have a very loyal following. The results speak for themselves.
LY: How long will it take to see results?
Emma: I can say with great confidence that clients feel a noticeable toning after 10 classes in a four week period. We recommend 3-4 classes per week for 4 weeks to start seeing some visible results.
Want a hot butt in time for summer? Follow the exercises in this video -
Barre Body - Summer bikini booty workout from Barre Body on Vimeo.
Where?
The Barre Body studio at 69 Flinders Lane, Melbourne. Can’t get to a class? Barre Body is launching an online studio so you can do your barre workout at home.
Emma Seibold is a yoga and barre teacher and holistic health & wellness coach and the founder of Barre Body – the yoga and barre studio.
