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Ashley McGovern

Mar 26

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Teaching Barre

By Barre Culture, The Dailey Method One Comment

Being a fitness instructor is a rewarding job, whether it’s barre, OrangeTheory or F45. While every instructor has their own unique style, I can say a few things are certain for every fitness instructor: We love our clients, we love, and try to lead, a healthy lifestyle and we always want to be seen as a good barre instructor.   

 

 

 

What I’ve learned about being a barre instructor

I have been a barre instructor for four years now. By no means do I think I have it all figured out, because I certainly don’t! However, I’ve learned many lessons about being a good and a bad barre instructor. 

Below I use my own experiences to explain my opinions on being a barre instructor at different types of workout facilities. I list pros and cons to the four different facilities I instructed or currently instruct at.

I first started taking barre classes at a boutique barre studio while I was in college. Eventually, I fell in love with the exercise program and was asked if I would like to be an instructor, which of course I accepted the offer! I soon learned how much I enjoyed instructing barre. 

 

Pros of the boutique studio:

  • Freedom to teach whatever you would like that day.
  • I would get my workout in as I taught.
  • It was a beautiful set-up, one of the most beautiful studios I’ve ever seen.

 

Cons of the boutique studio:

  • Since I didn’t have a format (such as how many sets of thigh or abdominal work to teach this day), I would sometimes have 20 minutes left of class and not know what to teach next. There wasn’t a balance or structure to the classes so you never knew what exactly you would do more of in a class (legs or arms for example).
  • I taught and took the entire class. Since this is what all the instructors did, I thought this was normal. Personally, I feel when you’re performing the entire workout with the class you can’t focus on your client’s form and correct as needed. Tip: I would definitely demonstrate complex exercise moves but not the entire time.
  • When you’re a boutique studio, I saw there was a struggle with helping get the word out. Not everyone knew what barre was or what type of exercise studio this facility was.

 

Students at The Bar Method's Rittenhouse location exercising.

 

After I graduated college, I wanted to continue my love for teaching barre so I enrolled in a barre certification class, Barre Intensity. It was informative and had a great format! Once I completed the in-person training, I sent in my video online to complete the certification. Once I was certified, I then taught this method at a country club and yoga studio. 

 

Pros of the country club:

  • I was paid really well. 40$ a class.
  • I had a great mentor/supervisor who had been teaching pilates and barre for a long time.
  • The class times I taught worked great with my schedule.

 

Cons of the country club:

  • I never knew who or how many people I would have prior to class. Most studios use MindBody as a way for people to sign up for class. Most country clubs or large gyms do not use this.
  • Some clients didn’t care about the form. In country clubs and large gyms, people usually want to get their sweat on fast and easy, and that is completely fine but for barre it’s tricky because it takes time to learn the form and moves. There would be times where I would try to correct a client’s form and they would walk out! 

 

Pros of the yoga studio:

  • I loved the instructors and owners I worked with.
  • I enjoyed all the classes the studio offered.
  • I made wonderful relationships.

 

Cons of the yoga studio:

  • The clientele wasn’t there for barre so we had a hard time building up a demand for barre classes. Since it was known as a yoga studio, people went there for yoga not barre. Note: I still teach a barre class with one or two clients, but I love having a full class because I feed off of my class’s energy.
  • I was paid per head. This means that I would get paid a base then for every three to five clients I bring in over a certain amount… I would get paid an extra amount. For example, I was paid a base of 15$ an hour but for every person over 10 people in the class I would get an extra 2$ per head. This was difficult when people weren’t there for barre. Additionally, I feel this creates a competitive nature among instructors instead of a team environment. 

 

People working out at a Dailey Method studio.

 

 

After realizing I wanted to instruct solely for a barre studio, I did some research to see what was in my area. I found The Dailey Method Indianapolis, a barre and cycle studio. This studio is a franchise, meaning there is more than one studio. Right away, I was hooked on the workout. I contacted the owners to see if they needed instructors and luckily for me, they were! 

I have been a Dailey Method instructor since 2018 and I love everything about it–the workout format, the clients, the instructors and the owners! 

If I were to list a con, I would make note that if you do instruct for a franchise such as, The Dailey Method, typically you have to sign a non-compete agreement. Some studios are more strict than others (I don’t think we are strict), but this can limit how many studios you could potentially instruct at. 

 

How to be a good barre instructor

Every instructor cares about their clients (at least I hope so!!). As an instructor, I want to make meaningful relationships with all my clients. I want to learn about their fitness goals, the challenges they face with barre and on a personal level, about their family and life. 

From a client and barre instructor perspective, I expect the following from the instructor when taking any fitness class. I feel these make instructors experienced and good at what they do.

 

  1. Modifications. How can I make an exercise less intense or how can I do this specific exercise in a way that doesn’t hurt an injured body part? Or maybe you are just super sore and need to scale a move back for a few reps. I personally like when instructors begin an exercise as the modification and make the move harder from there.
  2. Motivational. If I had a bad day and don’t think I can push myself at the gym, I want someone else to do that for me. I want to get my money’s worth!
  3. A format/outline. When I try a barre class or any fitness class, as an instructor, I can pick up on the format of the class pretty quickly. While I do love innovation with certain exercise moves, for the most part, I want the workout format I know I signed up for.
  4. Being Human. I think this gets overlooked a lot. I enjoy when my instructor uses her own personal experience to explain a move or uses her humor to correct a word she messed up. For example, I tell my clients often how tight my hamstrings are so there is no one I could do this move I’m about to make them all do. I think it’s important for clients to realize that your instructor is learning and growing in their barre journey just like you. We are human and make mistakes too! The other day I meant to say “lead with your chest..” when I actually said “lead with your breasts!” My clients laughed it off with me. 


I would love to hear your feedback! Again, these are my own opinions and thoughts. Everyone is unique and has a different view on what makes an instructor good or bad. 

Jan 05
Women working out at a Neighborhood Barre Arlington class

What You Should Know About the Difference Between Barre and HIIT

By Exercises No Comments

A barre workout may be confusing to some people. While other types of workouts seem like a no brainer to whether or not it’s cardio, strength training, weight training or stretching, a barre workout doesn’t instantly tell you what type of workout it is. So in order to better understand barre, I’ll explain the different types of barre workouts and what type of workout they are considered to be.

 

Students getting ready to take a cardio-based barre class at Barre Centric in Buffalo.

Students getting ready to take a cardio-based barre class at Barre Centric in Buffalo.

 

What are barre classes like?

There are a variety of barre classes from basic to fusion to interval; however, not all studios offer the classes below so be sure to do your research before trying a class. 

    • Basic barre class: This type of class is a full-body strength-training class that combines elements of Pilates, dance, and yoga. This class structure is slower as is the range of motion for most movements. Your instructor may cue something similar to this: “Make it smaller!” “Contract the engaged muscles!” “’Decrease your range of motion!” and “Less down; more up”.
    • Fusion/cardio barre class: This type of class is a cardio- and strength-training workout combining elements from a basic barre class but adds in opportunities where you can speed up the movements to get a heart pumping workout. This is done at the ballet barre or in the center of the room and is a much faster pace than a typical basic barre class.
    • Interval barre class: This is a blend of a barre workout and interval training. This is as fast paced and upbeat a barre class can get. In my opinion, this is the definition of a HIIT workout besides that it’s much longer than a normal HIIT workout. Scroll down below to learn more about HIIT workouts. This class is bound to leave you sweating and shaking as the high repetition movement is designed to create lean muscle definition. The speed of this class can help improve your endurance and condition your cardiovascular system. So yes barre can be considered a HIIT workout.
    • Beginner/Intermediate/Expert barre class: Lastly, your barre studio may offer classes that are named based off of the level types. I recommend to take a beginner barre class for your first 15 to 20 classes. This way you can learn the terminology and form of barre. After 15 to 20 classes, I would move to intermediate then after 40 or so, move to expert barre classes. However, if you’re super sore from a class and are looking to take it easy, then attend a beginner or intermediate barre class. Listen to your body!

 

Women working out at a Neighborhood Barre Arlington class

What is HIIT and how does it work?

Earlier I mentioned HIIT workouts (High-Intensity Interval training or Sprint Interval Training), this is a cardiovascular exercise technique alternating short periods of intense anaerobic exercises with less intense recovery periods. 

These workouts can be anywhere between five minutes to 45 minutes. Personally, I think longer than 45 minutes, and sometimes even 45 minutes, is too much for the body to handle since the objective is to go as hard and as fast as you can during work intervals. 

I think it’s important to note that in an interval barre class, which are 45 minutes long, you are also doing a light warm up, abdominal work in between intervals and a cool down so you are not doing intervals for 45 minutes straight. Again, listen to your body and take your time—the first time I tried an interval barre class I could barely get past the first 15 minutes!! 

For your first HIIT workout, I recommend staying with a 15-to-30 second range. This means resting for 15 seconds and working for 20 seconds (jumping jacks, burpees, etc) or vice versa if that is too much for you.

 

Women working out at a Neighborhood Barre Arlington class

Are barre classes worth it?

Yes yes yes! Barre training can do wonderful things for your body;  I always recommend adding some type of strength training into your weekly workout routine. I do barre, weight training, running, cycling, SolidCore and much more! These workouts check all my bullet points off for what I’m trying to achieve with my fitness journey—don’t ever feel like you have to stick to one workout! 

In order to get the most bang (or burn) for your buck, shop around and see which classes make you shake, sweat and challenge you. Additionally, I recommend shopping around to see which instructor checks off all your bullet points for what you are trying to achieve. Some instructors may be harder or more enthusiastic—some people like this while others don’t and that’s okay! For example, see below:

  • Is the instructor challenging me?
  • Is the instructor motivating me?
  • Is the instructor positive?
  • Is the instructor correcting my form? 

Oftentimes, I have heard people say they felt like they didn’t get a work out in after trying a basic barre class. While you are not always drenched in sweat because the movements in a basic barre class are minimal, I try to tell people to wait a day or two and see if they feel sore and usually they do! Give it time as with anything!

 

 

About the Author

Ashley fell in love with barre while in college. After taking classes for a year, the owner asked Ashley if she would like to be a barre instructor and the rest is history! After Ashley graduated, she decided to continue her love for instructing barre at a variety of studios around Indiana. Ashley is a current barre instructor at The Dailey Method Indianapolis. Ashley has a passion for helping others find or continue their fitness journey, and she enjoys the friendships she makes along the way.

Dec 07
A woman demonstrates chair pose at the barre

The Complete Guide to Barre-related Lingo

By Exercises, The Dailey Method No Comments

Barre terminology may, at times, seem like a foreign language, especially when you’re a barre beginner. 

Each barre class is not the same at every studio; neither are the barre terms. Universally, I’ve noticed one word remains the same in just about every barre studio: tuck. A tuck is a movement in which you tilt your pelvic bone under while your pubic bone makes an upward tilt towards the bottom of your ribs. A tuck engages your glutes, lower abdominals, and depending on what position you are in, it can engage your quadriceps and hamstrings.

Below is a list of barre terms and definitions you may hear at one or more studios. 

 

Barre Positions

 

Plié / Wide turned out

A movement in which you bend the knees and straighten them again. The feet are in a turned-out position while you are in a wide stance. 

First position / Narrow V / Athletic V

You are standing on the floor with your heels touching and your toes apart. If you gaze down, your feet should make a ‘V’ shape. 

Second position / Turned out squat

Stand with your feet a little wider than shoulder distance and turn your toes out slightly on a diagonal.

Parallel

A stance where the feet look like the number 11. Usually, the feet are placed together or hip-width apart. 

Parallel squat

Place your feet directly under your hips with your feet and knees facing forward.

Pretzel (sitting position)

This may be done at the barre or on the ground. This is a more complicated barre move. On the ground, start with one leg in front and one leg back. Place your front shin in line with the mat or baseboard and keep your back leg slightly behind the hip. 

 

A woman showcases the seated pretzel and standing pretzel positions in a barre studio

Demonstrating the seated and standing pretzel position. Photo: Ashley M. Location: The Dailey Method Indianapolis

 

Back Dancing

This is when you lay on the floor with your feet pressing into the ground. As you press your feet into the floor, lift your hips up towards the ceiling while squeezing your glutes.

 

Woman demonstrates back dancing at the barre

Ashley demonstrates back dancing. Photo: Ashley M. Location: The Dailey Method Indianapolis

 

Chair pose (generic version)

A position in which a person pulls off the barre as they sit in a chair as if it were really there. Your knees should track over your ankles while your hips stay in line with your knees. Your hips stay underneath your shoulders. Your shins face forward.

 

A woman demonstrates the chair position at the barre

Chair position. Photo: Ashley M. Location: The Dailey Method Indianapolis

 

High C-curve

This is a movement in which you create a ‘c’ shape with your spine. Sit on the floor with your knees bent and your hands gripping your hamstrings; press your feet into the ground as you start to round down one vertebra at a time. Tip your hips and try to touch your tailbone to the ground. 

 

A woman demonstrates the high c-curve position at the barre

Ashley demonstrates the high c-curve position. Photo: Ashley M. Location: The Dailey Method Indianapolis

 

Prone

A position in which you are lying face down. Typically, you will work on strengthening the back body in this position.

Extension / Foldover / Flat back foldover

This is a position where you pull off the barre (fold over the barre) and lift one leg. Keep the leg in line or under the hip. You will maintain a neutral spine but square off your shoulders and hips.

 

A woman demonstrates foldover with extension at the barre

Ashley demonstrates a foldover with an extension. Photo: Ashley M. Location: The Dailey Method Indianapolis

 

Barre Categories

 

Seat work

This is when you will perform exercises designed to focus on the hamstrings and glutes area.

Thigh work

This is when you will perform exercises designed to focus on the quadriceps.

 

A woman demonstrates thigh dancing at the barre

Ashley demonstrates thigh dancing which is an exercise that works the top of the thighs. Photo: Ashley M. Location: The Dailey Method Indianapolis

 

Flat back on the floor or wall

Abdominal work either performed with a neutral spine on the ground or at the wall.

 

A woman demonstrates flat back at the wall, a position commonly referred to in barre class.

Ashley demonstrates flat back at the wall. Photo: Ashley M. Location: The Dailey Method Indianapolis

 

Neutral spine

A position held with the back perfectly in line from the tailbone to the spine to the neck and head.

Round back

A position in which the spine is curved, a flexion position.

 

Barre Terms / Phrases

 

Burn

When the muscles are about to fatigue and you begin shaking. Instructors may say something similar to “find that burn” or “find that shake”.

Pulse

A movement typically done to the beat of the music with a very small range of motion. It’s similar to when an instructor says “down-an-inch then up-an-inch”.

Relevé

The word is used to instruct you to lift your heel off the ground.

Point / flex

A point is when you extend your toes away from your shin. The idea is to lengthen your muscles and reach with your toes. A flex position is when you pull your toes up towards your shin giving you a calf and hamstring stretch.

Bend stretch

A tiny quiver in the joint followed immediately by an extension and contraction of the muscle being worked.

Down-an-inch-up-an-inch

A one-inch range of movement in a slow, controlled motion. Slightly larger than a pulse, smaller than a full range of motion.

Heavy tailbone

A position that is held by engaging the core and bringing the spine to neutral, creating a straight line from the head to the tailbone.

Hold / Isometric movement

A movement held in its deepest, tightest, lowest position to achieve isometric contraction. May be used with down hold, lift hold, squeeze hold, circle hold, etc.

Low impact

A low impact exercise that keeps at least one foot on the ground at all times.

Pelvic floor

The pelvic floor consists of the deepest muscles of the pelvis located between the two sitz bones from side to side and between the bases of the sacrum posteriorly and the pubic bone anteriorly.

Pressback

Typically refers to a movement of the knees backward while keeping a heavy tailbone position. The two motions create the opposing forces at work to lean and tone the muscles.

Shake

A movement in which your muscles start to quiver because of the difficulty of the position.

Stall barre

A piece of equipment used for corrective and strengthening exercises. It is secured to a wall and people typically hold at the very top of it and hang down.

While there are a variety of barre terms not mentioned, I feel these are the most confusing when trying a barre class your first time. Additionally, the exercises and phrases may be used interchangeably. 

 

About the Author

Ashley fell in love with barre while in college. After taking classes for a year, the owner asked Ashley if she would like to be a barre instructor and the rest is history! After Ashley graduated, she decided to continue her love for instructing barre at a variety of studios around Indiana. Ashley is a current barre instructor at The Dailey Method Indianapolis. Ashley has a passion for helping others find or continue their fitness journey, and she enjoys the friendships she makes along the way.

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