One of the hottest workouts trends in 2011, barre fitness classes are popping up all over the United States. Pure Barre exercises target the arms, glutes, legs and abs. The number of calories you burn will depend on a variety of factors, including intensity and duration of the workout and your body weight.
Pure Barre
The Pure Barre technique isn't just a ballet class. It's a total-body workout that utilizes a ballet barre to perform small isometric movements set to popular music. The barre serves as a prop, along with exercise balls, resistance bands and light hand weights. Moves include squeezing a ball between the inner thighs while standing on tiptoes, and tiny leg lifts with the back pressed against the wall and hands grasping the barre above. Pure Barre was founded by dancer and choreographer Carrie Rezabek Dorr, who opened her first studio in 2001 in Birmingham, Michigan, and began expanding in 2006 to offer classes across the United States. According to Pure Barre, the class burns fat and produces lifted seats, toned arms, thin thighs and flat abs by fusing elements of ballet, Pilates and weights in a 55-minute intense session.
Calorie Burn
Allison Bedford, owner of Studio Core in Sagniaw, Michigan, purchased a Pure Barre franchise in 2007 and began offering classes. Bedford says participants can burn up to 500 calories per class, even though the sessions focus on small, repetitive movements. "We believe this is a healthier way to work the body without putting pressure on the joints," Bedford said to the Saginaw News.
Added Benefits
The calorie burn isn't the only benefit of Pure Barre. According to Pure Barre, the technique performed in the classes protects your joints because it does not involve any bouncing or jumping. Each strength section of the workout is followed by a stretching section to create long, lean muscle without bulk. Pure Barre says the workout requires such focus that you block out everything for the hour, allowing you to obtain the mental benefits achieved in yoga or meditation. "Pure Barre is tough, but it's for any ability level. It's intense for anyone, but you feel stronger so quickly when you work your muscles this way," Bedford says.
Classes
You can find a Pure Barre class near you by doing an Internet search. As of June 2011, classes were offered in 21 states. If a class setting isn't for you, you can purchase Pure Barre instructional DVDs for use at home.
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