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while Pilates uses machine and mat work to work small muscles that focus on re–aligning the core, the barre works all muscle groups using the body’s own weight as resistance. exercises are performed both at the barre and on the mat – we find that challenging the body in new ways ensures our clients will never plateau.
while yoga is a method of physical and mental release and renewal, the barre focuses much more on sculpting and fitness. at the same time, since our classes require such focus, our clients block out everything else for the hour they are with us, allowing the mind a similar release to that achieved during yoga; helping you leave our studio a happier, healthier you!
A.
we encourage our clients to visit 3–4 times per week to see the most dramatic results and to gain a better understanding of the positions – most clients will certainly notice a change in their body and be able to maintain “the barre’s” physique in just a few classes per week!
remember, the more often you come to class – the better (& more compounded) results you will see: calorie expenditure is directly related to the percent of lean muscle mass in your body – so the more lean muscle mass you build (the primary result of our exercises), the more calories you will burn in class! it’s a win–win situation!
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yes! the barre targets the largest muscle groups in the body (like the thighs and glutes) – the larger the muscle, the more calories burned! as you continue to attend class, you will begin to build more lean muscle mass, raising your resting metabolic rate, which can help you produce more energy and burn more calories the other 23 hours a day. pair the barre exercise routine with a healthy diet and you will absolutely see results.
perhaps more important than helping you lose weight – the barre will help you lose size by redistributing inches on your body as we sculpt, making you appear (and feel!) longer and leaner.
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the isometric movements in the barre protect your bone health, and also increase your percent of lean muscle mass – the higher this percentage, the more calories you will burn throughout your day, even when you are sleeping! fabulous!
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incredibly. the barre’s classes are non–impact, therefore easy on the joints – they involve no jumping or bouncing, which can have a negative impact on your body over time. the more you come to class, the increased bone density and lean muscle mass you create – both long term benefits!
In addition, we like to say that you never “plateau” in the barre, so even when you have been coming for years your body will continue to be challenged, ensuring you always grow and make progress in your practice. since our classes are so individual, there will always be both modifications and challenges in every position for you to customize class to your desired level. as we like to say: “it never gets easier, you just get better!”
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besides reducing your waistline and improving posture, a strong core can increase your performance in all other activities in your life, whether you’re playing tennis or just lifting your kids. without a strong core, your muscles cannot move freely or efficiently, so you will tend to overuse your lower back muscles and put additional stress on all other joints – commonly leading to aches, pains and injuries.
the beauty of the barre is that we emphasize engaging your core throughout all of class for compounded results – so even if we are working the arms or thighs, we are always engaging, and therefore strengthening, the core as well.
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certainly; in fact, since increased flexibility is one of the great benefits of barre exercise, we would encourage you to come! we will also have modifications for you if you ever feel uncomfortable or are unable to participate fully in any sections – for example, if you cannot reach your foot to the barre for stretches, we have a stall bar with lower rungs for you to substitute with and our bands can be utilized as an aid for stretching until your flexibility increases.
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absolutely, remember, we are all beginners sometime! the barre’s classes are inclusive of anyone at any fitness level, no experience required! our class atmosphere is supportive and non–competitive – we realize that everyone has different limits and abilities, so we want you to get exactly what you want out of class: it is your personal journey.
further, each client can be challenged at their own level in class, without affecting anyone else’s workout: our instructors will give basic modifications (and challenges!) throughout class to help you customize your workout to make it exactly what you need.
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just bring yourself! we will provide you with a mat and all of the equipment you will need (bands, light hand weights and playground balls), and have water and towels for you, as well.
wear comfortable clothing that is easy to move in, but try not to wear anything too loose–fitting; it is important that our instructors are able to check your form and alignment throughout class.
also, we ask that you wear socks in class to avoid slipping and help your positioning (in addition to being more sanitary!). we encourage you to try our specialized barre socks with grips on the bottom (available for purchase in our studio) – regular socks will likely cause additional slipping.
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absolutely, as long as you provide a doctor’s written consent. however, if you are new to the barre, we do ask that you wait until after your pregnancy to come to class (and try our “new barre mom special”!), as the barre can be strenuous if your body is not accustomed.
If you are already a barre client when you become pregnant, we will provide you with modifications to help you exercise safely, and have specialized pre–natal cushions to give you additional support throughout your hour. as always, take breaks or ask for further modifications if at any point you feel uncomfortable.
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no! while our classes certainly have a dance influence – they are run as a dance class would be and are driven by the music – there is no choreography, and our instructors will guide you through the movements so you will be clear on what to do.
