Once a top secret workout for celebrity A-listers, Barre workouts has arrived in West End in the form of Barre Brisbane.

Barre Brisbane will be whipping Brisbane guys and gals into shape with a complete body workout fusing yoga, Pilates and ballet conditioning exercises. The regime has been developed to tone and sculpt your entire body, creating longer and leaner muscles.

Popular in the UK and US, Australia is now picking up on the fitness trend which has been around since the late 1950’s. Developed by a German dancer living in London, Lotte Berk came up with this dance conditioning routine in her first studio in 1959, catering to a regular famous clientele such as Joan Collins and Barbra Streisand. In 1971, an American student of Berk’s brought the workout to the US opening up the first Lotte Berk Method studio. Instructors then branched out to create variations and fusions of the method.

Barre Brisbane studio director Ash Daniec first heard about Barre over 18 months ago when planning her overseas trip. A ballet dancer in her teens, she couldn’t wait to see what it was all about as there wasn’t anything like it on offer in Brisbane. Taking her first class in New York City’s Ballet Beautiful where the likes of Gigi Hadid and other Victoria’s Secret models train, Ash was blown away by the session. Other fans of the workout include Madonna, Miranda Kerr, Natalie Portman + more!

With a history of ballet and dance in her family (her Mother was a ballet teacher) and a strong passion for health and fitness, Ash realised the need for something new and exciting in Brisbane and wanted to share this unique style of workout with friends and peers through her own studio. As a fully qualified Barre instructor following the completion of a three day intensive workshop, the pre-requisites for the course are Pilates or ballet background.

Ash says, “Barre lengthens and tones muscles all over the body allowing you to feel not only strong within your body, but also in your mind. Barre combines strength, flexibility, cardio and meditation so it offers are great mix of everything.”

The rhythmically challenged needn’t be concerned as prior dance or Pilates experience isn’t necessary. The workout is for everyone, no matter what age or fitness level you are.

A Barre workout will see students gaining flexibility and strength using their own body weight through isometric movements; which is in layman terms are small one-inch increments of movement. Whilst it may seem that these small movements aren’t giving you a hard-core workout like high intensity interval training (HIIT), it is the exact opposite. These small movements are enough to engage and fire up the muscles, sculpting and creating length and flexibility but not big enough to tear the muscles.

Purchasing memberships or casual class passes for West End’s first Barre studio is simple. Buy online at www.barrebrisbane.com.au or at the studio. Each class caters for up to 20 students and with the rise in popularity for this workout, online bookings will be available (and recommended) through an app.

Class styles include Barre Classic, Barre Cardio, Barre Endurance and Barre Stretch. Other packages to launch will cater for brides with a 12 week ‘Bride to Be’ membership and for new mums, the ‘Yummy Mummy’ classes where you can bring your bub to Barre! Private classes will also be offered to those who prefer one on one or a session with a friend.

Barre Brisbane is a fun and new innovative way to exercise which helps to build self-confidence for each individual in training. Students will see changes in their bodies after only five classes, gaining strength and toning those hard to tone muscles in your arms, legs and core.

Studio Director Ash Daniec will look to open future Barre studios on the Northside, Teneriffe and inNoosa. AlsointheworksisBarreBrisbaneRetreatswhichwillbehostedoveralongweekend locally and at a week-long program internationally.

www.barrebrisbane.com.au

• Barre Brisbane – 347 Montague Road, West End.
• Facebook & Instagram: @barrebrisbane

CLASS STYLE DESCRIPTIONS

BARRE CLASSIC: Barre Classic is perfect for a beginner through to intermediate. Using isometric movements combined with the power of music to increase strength, flexibility, stamina and dynamic stability. It is a class geared for everyone—no ballet experience required.

BARRE CARDIO: Barre Cardio is great to increase your heart rate, improve your fitness, build strength and tone. It is fun, beginner friendly class that will improve energy, fitness and help with weight loss.

BARRE ENDURANCE: Barre Classic style with added props such as hand weights, elastic bands, toning balls to increase the challenge and burn.

BARRE STRETCH: Barre stretch is an amazing class for the mind and body. Holding each stretch for 3-5mins, this helps lengthen and releases any tightness in your sore muscles. Ending the class is a 10minute meditation, perfect after a long day.

**Highly recommend completing a double class. Barre Classic following into Barre Stretch.

MAT PILATES: Mat Pilates is a system of controlled exercises that engage the mind and condition the total body. The blend of strength and flexibility training improves posture, reduces stress and creates long, lean muscles without bulking up. Pilates takes a balanced approach so that no muscle group is overworked and the body moves as an efficient, holistic system in sport and daily activity.