The Do’s and Don’ts of Approaching Barre as a Beginner Versus a Pro

Advice for the Beginners

Do keep these things in mind as a beginner:

• • “Be open to potentially feeling uncomfortable or awkward,” Alexis says of anyone who is just starting out. “These positions are new to your physical make-up and take time and practice to get used to.” I can personally relate to this advice. I remember setting foot inside a barre class for the first time and feeling very nervous as I hadn’t worked out regularly in years.

• • When you’re new to barre, modifications are key. “Keep an ear out for modifications” Alexis suggests. There are many variations to each exercise, so you don’t have to always follow the instructions down to a tee. If you haven’t done a plank series in a while, there is no harm in coming down to your knees, if that makes you more comfortable.

• • Feel free to ditch the props, Alexis recommends. “They are only adding intensity.” You can always work them into your routine further down the road with time and practice.

• • Another thing she suggests is to take your time. “Don’t let the music or the instructor rush you.” One thing I keep telling myself even to this day is that everyone has a day one. Everyone in the room had to start somewhere, so don’t get discouraged if you can’t keep up with the instructor or your peers. It’s about you, not anyone else.

• • When it comes to physical changes, Alexis says, “don’t be too hard on yourself, changes won’t happen overnight.”

• • “Don’t stay in any position that causes any pain. Be mindful of past injuries, and if the class is in person, tell the instructor,” suggests Alexis. Definitely tell the instructor if something isn’t feeling right, that’s what they’re there for. From my experience, I’ve found most are more than happy to stick around after class to go over questions you might have. Alexis echoes those sentiments by suggesting that “any good instructor would be happy to offer advice and corrections.”

• • To take that one step further, “don’t be afraid to ask for help,” Alexis recommends. That’s most certainly true! In my opinion, a studio who is mindful of new clients should ask if you have any injuries before your first class, make you feel comfortable by getting to know you and show you around the studio so you can get acquainted with your surroundings. If they don’t, maybe think about finding a new studio. I remember leaving my first barre class and thinking that I never wanted to return again. Can you imagine? Thankfully I gave it another shot and the rest is history.

• • Overall the big takeaway here is to not give up! Alexis says, “just as with anything else, the more you do it, the more you will get out of it.”

Advice for the Professionals

Do keep these things in mind if you’re more experienced:

• • If you have a lot of experience with the exercises, Alexis recommends adapting the positions to be the healthiest/smartest choice for your body/injuries. “You have been practicing for a while, you know how to isolate the muscle groups if you need to adapt safely to intensify the burn, do it!”

• • Want to take your prop game up a notch? Alexis recommends adding props even when they aren’t necessarily shown in the class to intensify your workout. Some ideas: a Pilates ball, a circular resistance band, a yoga block and ankle weights.

• • “Take your class a step further by consistently scanning the body with the mind, refining your positioning, and matching your breathe to the movement to maximize your results,” says Alexis.

• • The more the merrier! “Keep inviting friends to try barre,” she told me. “This community is ever-fierce, ever-evolving.”

• • “Don’t feel like you need to make every move BIGGER to make it effective. Sometimes the hardest part of a barre class are the tiniest, most concise movements,” says Alexis.

• • “Don’t push through any kind of sharp pain, consult a professional ASAP,” recommends Alexis. This is great advice at any level, but sometimes we tend to forget this if we’ve been practicing for a while.

• • Most importantly, don’t ever stop practicing! “Barre can be SO humbling when you take some time off, and that’s the beauty of it. There are always ways to be more creative, make exercises more challenging, and to have more fun!”

Thanks to Alexis Sweeney for these great tips. Alexis is a fitness instructor and entrepreneur who turned her passion for fitness into a business by creating Silhouette by Alexis. It’s an online subscription service that houses 50+ hours (and counting) of video workouts that sculpt and tone every part of the body. If you’re interested in taking a test drive, a 7-day trial is available for newbies.

Visit Silhouette by Alexis to learn more.