Is Barre Considered Strength Training? Let’s Break It Down
At Open Barre, we sometimes hear the question: “Is barre really strength training?” And honestly, we love that you’re asking. The short answer is: yes — and then some. But let’s take a closer look at what makes barre a powerful (and seriously fun) way to build strength, tone muscles, and feel incredible in your body.
What Is Barre, Anyway?
Barre blends the best of ballet, Pilates, and yoga into one low-impact, high-burn workout. Using tiny, controlled movements (plus the occasional shake and burn!), barre focuses on posture, alignment, and core engagement — all with a big emphasis on feeling strong in your own skin.
You will use a ballet barre, light weights, a resistance band, or sometimes just your own body weight. But no matter the props, one thing is certain: barre will challenge your muscles in totally new ways.
Here’s what you’ll typically find in a barre class at Open Barre:
● Flexibility: Each class includes dynamic stretching to open tight muscles and help you move with ease — before, during, and after class. Bonus: it helps reduce injury risk, too.
● Core + Balance Work: Holding those tiny movements? That’s your core doing a lot of heavy lifting. Barre builds balance, body awareness, and deep abdominal strength — the kind that supports everything you do.
● Endurance + Muscle Toning: We work muscles to fatigue using high-rep, low-resistance exercises. Think small, targeted movements that leave you feeling the good kind of sore.
So... Is That Strength Training?
Absolutely. While barre doesn’t look like traditional weightlifting, it uses many of the same principles — just approached differently.
Here’s how barre builds strength:
● Muscle Engagement + Resistance: Whether it’s a loop band, light weights, or your own body weight, barre uses resistance to activate muscles — especially those smaller, often-overlooked stabilizers.
● Progressive Overload (In Barre Style): You don’t need to keep adding plates to a barbell to build strength. In barre, you progressively challenge your body by increasing time under tension, layering on pulses, or adding more complex movements.
● Functional Strength: Barre helps you move through life with more power and grace. From carrying groceries to climbing stairs, those core holds and glute pulses translate into real-life strength.
How Barre Differs from Traditional Strength Training
Think of barre as strength training’s graceful cousin. Both are valuable, but they work in different ways.
● Equipment + Intensity: Barre is low-impact, high-burn. Instead of big lifts, we focus on smaller movements with higher reps and lighter resistance. It’s accessible, modifiable, and kind to your joints.
● Recovery-Friendly: Because barre emphasizes alignment and control, it’s a great fit for folks returning from injury or simply looking for a lower-impact option. That said, it’s no walk in the park — you’ll still feel the fire.
The Strength You Build in Barre is Real (And Really Worth It)
You don’t need to deadlift a barbell to get stronger. Barre builds lean muscle, increases endurance, and sculpts a balanced, resilient body.
● Muscle Definition: All those pulses and holds? They build long, lean muscle tone and full-body definition.
● Core Stability: Your core is always on in barre class. This improves posture, reduces back pain, and supports you in everything from lifting your kids to hitting your next PR.
● Metabolic Boost: Barre’s continuous flow and minimal rest periods keep your heart rate up, which helps rev your metabolism and support fat burn.
● Adaptable for All Levels: Whether you're brand-new or a seasoned mover, barre meets you where you are. We love modifying for all bodies and making every class feel like your own.
The Takeaway - Yes, Barre Is Strength Training — Just with More Vibes and Better Music
Barre helps you build strength you can feel — and enjoy. It's graceful, it’s powerful, and it’s meant for every body. Whether you're looking to tone, build endurance, or just shake things up, barre brings a full-body burn that’s as joyful as it is effective.
So the next time someone asks, “Is barre really strength training?” you can say:
Yes — and my glutes can confirm it.
Want to experience the strength of barre for yourself? Join us for a class at Open Barre — your stronger, happier self is waiting.