Body By Barre
Body By Barre was created by Nicole Wallen and is unique to Mt. Pleasant Pilates & Wellness. It is inspired by the Lotte Berk Method, Bar Method, Physique 57 & Core Fusion. Classes are best described as a low-impact workout that combines several exercise elements for high-impact results. Body by Barre brings together the disciplines of Pilates, Ballet, Orthopedic Stretching and Sports Conditioning into one system. Classical ballet training is NOT a prequisite. Classes are 50 minutes long and target specific problem areas like the seat, abdominals, arms, and thighs. Body by Barre is an excellent complement to Pilates Reformer, Tower & Chair classes. You won’t believe how it isolates and re-shapes the body!
Barre Essential
Welcome to the Body by Barre technique. This class teaches basic barre exercises emphasizing proper form and alignment and is a slower-paced class. Combining the principles of ballet, Pilates, and isometric stretching, this unique format uses ballet barre technique and mat work to strengthen and lengthen the body. New students should start with 3-5 of Barre Essential classes before moving onto more advanced barre classes.
Raise the Barre
Improves cardiovascular endurance and creates a toned and sculpted body. Expect to challenge your muscles to the core by combining ballet barre work with resistance training and stretching. This class will harness the body’s core strength, improve flexibility, and provide an unparalleled fitness experience for anyone looking to push their body to the limit.
Barre Fusion
Combining elements of our two signature barre-based classes, Barre Essential and Raise the Barre, this workout has a steady pace and will awaken your muscles with powerful stretching, strengthening, and cardiovascular exercises. Drawing on the principles of classical ballet, Pilates, and resistance training, participants will experience an invigorating total body workout that will improve flexibility, strength, and cardiovascular endurance. Instruction is given for various modifications and to increase intensity.
Re-Barre
A restorative class for people with physical restrictions due to age, weight or injuries. This class is slower paced and modifications are taught for individual restrictions.
RAPID results of Body By Barre classes:
- Extreme core strength
- Tighter, more lifted seat
- Long, lean thighs
- Toned arms greater range of motion/endurance
- Improved posture and body alignment
Body By Barre Policies:
- Please arrive on time. For your safety, late entries are not permitted 10 minutes after the start of class.
- First time students please allow 10-15 minutes to complete new client form prior to class.
- 24-hour cancellation required or you will be charged the full class price-no exceptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who should do Body By Barre? Body By Barre is for almost anybody. The results of the class shape and tone the body, prepare you for sports and help you to rehabilitate minor injuries. In addition, Body By Barre classes emphasize stretching and building flexibility. You need to be at least 14 years old to participate in a Body By Barre class.
Q: What do you do in a Body By Barre Class?
The 55-minute class begins with a warm up and 10 minutes of upper body, followed by 20 minutes of leg and butt exercises, 20 minutes of core conditioning and ending with 5 minutes of additional stretching. The pace is very athletic weaving from strengthening to stretching exercises nonstop like interval training.
Q: Will Body By Barre help me lose weight?
Most people ask how many calories do you burn in the 55-minute class? The answer is that no one really knows because calorie expenditure is directly dependent on the percentage of lean muscle mass that you have in your body. We profess that to lose weight, the amount of calories that you are burning the other 23 hours a day are the key to weight loss.
In a Body By Barre class, the strengthening exercises are more effective in developing LEAN muscle mass than weight lifting because you are using your own body weight as resistance. When you increase your LEAN muscle mass, your metabolic rate increases allowing you to produce more energy and burn more calories. The stretching that immediately follows the strengthening will prevent muscle bulk and enables you to increase your flexibility and range of motion.
Q: How do I know what level or class to take?
All students should start with 3-5 Barre Essential classes. However, if you have a strong mind-body connection and do not have any injuries, you may only need to take one Barre Essential class before moving into our more advance Barre classes. We offer Body By Barre Private & Semi-private classes as well, if you have any special needs to address.
Q: What is the fastest way to see results from Body By Barre?
After you have tried a class and have experienced the intensity and effectiveness, there are a few class packages to choose from. We recommend 2-3 classes per week to see results within 4 to 6 weeks. Body By Barre classes are an excellent complement to Pilates Reformer, Tower & Chair classes.
Q: How much yoga and Pilates are in a Body by Barre class?
Our classes are non-competitive and non-comparative. There is a stong emphasis on breathing and mind body focus. We use a neutral spine in most of our standing positions and we incorporate the principles of Pilates in our work: centering, flow, breathing, control, concentration, and precision.
Q: How does Body By Barre differ from a Lotte Berk or Bar Method style class? Body By Barre focuses on positioning and alignment and balancing strengthening work with stretching and flexibility. Lotte Berk-style classes focus on speed, repetitions and a majority of the time spent on strengthening exercises with a minimal amount of stretching.
Q: If I take three Body By Barre classes per week, do I still need to do cardio?
Maybe. It depends on why you do cardio. A lot of regular Body By Barre students combine Pilates Apparatus & walking as their alternative activities. If weight loss is your goal, adding additional cardiovascular activities & a healthy diet can speed up your results.
Q: Will my muscles get bigger from doing Body By Barre?
No. But inches will redistribute. Muscles that were sagging before will begin to lift, especially your butt and your thighs. This could give you the illusion that your muscles are getting bigger but in fact your muscles are just toning!