Ballet Barre For Fitness

3 CommentsSunday • February 20, 2011 • by Imei

While the prima ballerina body type isn’t exactly the healthiest one for the majority of women, none can argue that the ballet barre and ballet conditioning help lengthen and tone muscle, which get smaller and weaker with age unless they get a workout. If you are an indoor person who likes music, firm instruction without humiliation, dance movement, and a great core workout, you’ll want to check out the ballet barre method for fitness.

Not your idea of comfy shoes, but you like the long legs? Try barre fitness.

My friend @GeraldineLily on Twitter visited Barre 3 with me in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle (it was her suggestion). The place has the feel of a yoga studio in terms of quiet colors and lighting, sound equipment, and wood floors, but also a sturdy ballet barre slightly lower than the typical ones found in a traditional dance studio. The barre is used as a prop for a portion of the class, and the practice is a combination of ballet barre, yoga, and pilates. Instead of bulking up with weight lifting in a more athletic training program, your muscles are lengthened like that of dancer, just without all the diva behavior, hours of practice, and smelly feet of the ballet experience.

Lengthen, tone, and strengthen muscles at Barre 3 in Seattle.

We met Caroline Weiner, manager and master trainer at Barre 3, and she gave us the tour of the studio. Single classes run $20, 5 for $95, and 10 for $180. Not sure you want jump in? Try these specials: three classes for $30, or if you just know you’ll love it, how about unlimited classes for $100? [editor's note: that's like getting your car tires rotated and a lube and oil job, except for your body. Now THAT's a deal! Can you say "better than Groupon?"]

And finally, if you don’t want to try these classes in a studio because you’re a little intimidated in public spaces, you can try a non-barre version DVD with similar benefits, such as The Lotte Berk Method. Of course, there is no replacement for live instruction, but hey, just moving and taking care of your body in the privacy of your own home is a step in the right direction.