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Aug 07
Barre and Copyright Featured Image

Why You Can’t Copyright a Sequence of Barre Poses and Other Legal Facts You Should Know

By Barre Culture, Exercises, Resources for Barre Instructors, Resources for Studio Owners No Comments

When you think about it, one of the first interactions you have with a new fitness studio involves legal paperwork. One of the first things owners or administrative staff will have you sign is a legal waiver. It often includes paragraphs of jargon that you quickly skim over, but have you ever stopped to think about what you’re signing? If you’re a client who instructs, how do you make sure that what you’re learning in class and then teaching elsewhere isn’t stepping on any toes? If you’re a studio owner, do you know what all your rights are, and how to protect yourself?

Since I can’t help answer those questions, I turned to lawyer extraordinaire and self-proclaimed fitness enthusiast Caroline Mankey, a partner at Akerman LLP. Below is a full interview I did with her to help us break down everything from intellectual property laws when it comes to exercises to reposting other feeds’ social media content. Before we jump in, here is the legal disclaimer!

This is not legal advice. This is a general discussion about legal concepts that apply in some, but not all, jurisdictions and circumstances. Caroline recommends seeking the advice of legal counsel in your jurisdiction to advise you specifically on the law applicable in your jurisdiction and to your unique circumstances.

 

Students at The Bar Method's Rittenhouse location exercising.


What protections do you have when it comes to exercises, class formats and choreography?



Melissa: How do studio owners protect their classes from being stolen?

Caroline: This is very difficult to do using intellectual property laws.  Copyright law protects creative works.  However, copyright law does not protect ideas.  It protects the creative expression of ideas, but only where the expression is in a tangible form, such as a book, video, sound recording, photograph, painting or sculpture.  Works that are not recorded tangibly (such as a poem or play that is recited audibly only, or exercise sequences taught in a classroom, and not written, recorded or video recorded) are not protected.

The following are examples of works that are protected by copyright:

      • a book about Pilates (Ross-Nash v. Almond, No. 219CV00957APGNJK, 2020 WL 6947691, at *1 (D. Nev. Oct. 28, 2020))
      • a choreographed dance routine (17 U.S.C. section 102(a)(4)), which is comprised of dance steps, dance movements, and/or dance patterns (Pellegrino v. Epic Games, Inc., 451 F. Supp. 3d 373, 388 (E.D. Pa. 2020))

The following are examples of work that copyright does not protect:

      • a sequence of yoga poses and breathing exercises (Bikram’s Yoga College of India, L.P. v. Evolation Yoga, LLC, 803 F.3d 1032 (9th Cir. 2015))
      • meditation exercises (Palmer v. Braun, 287 F.3d 1325 (11th Cir. 2002))

Melissa: Sounds like the lines are pretty blurred.

Caroline: The line between what is protected choreography and what is simply exercise that is not protected can potentially be blurry.  Barre exercise, however, can be analogized to ballet.  Individual ballet moves and poses are not protected by copyright.  Even a sequence in which the poses are taught is not protected by copyright.  It is not until the poses are combined in such a way as to create an original and unique work, such as The Nutcracker, and recorded in a tangible form of expression, that the sequence is protected as a choreographed routine.

Another method to legally protect an exercise routine would be to enter into contracts requiring students not to teach the exact sequence that the studio owner teaches.  This presents multiple problems, however.  First, will your students agree to sign such an agreement?  Teacher trainees might, but class students might not.  Also, how do you police it?  It’s difficult to track what others are teaching, particularly outside your area.  Finally, how do you enforce it?  It would be prohibitively expensive to file lawsuits against other teachers and studios.

Ultimately, the best way for a studio to protect its classes is to be the best at what it teaches and offer a safe and beautiful space, and a supportive and positive environment that keeps people wanting to come back, even if a competitor is teaching the same material elsewhere.

Melissa: How do studio owners know to the best of their ability that their choreography is not infringing on anyone else’s?

Caroline: It’s unlikely that studio owners would be infringing on any other studio’s rights in the sequences, since exercise sequences (whether yoga, barre, Pilates, or others) are not protectable through intellectual property laws.  Unless the studio owner has entered into any agreements prohibiting their use of certain material, then the studio and its teachers are free to teach any material they want.

Melissa: What recourse does a studio owner have if they think their work is being taken without permission? For instance, a former student teaching elsewhere with the same materials and class formats the studio taught them?

Caroline: If a former student is using a studio owner’s actual written or recorded materials, such as class handouts, worksheets, workbooks, audio or video lectures or videotaped sequences, then the studio owner might have a claim against the former student for infringement of the copyrights to those materials.  But just teaching the same subject matter and/or in the same style is not prohibited.

 

A woman works out at home while studying for a Barreworks barre certification.

Working out while studying for a Barreworks certification.
Photo credit: instagram.com/barreworksto





What to know about photography and promotional materials



Melissa: If a studio is hiring a photographer to take promotional photos for marketing materials including social media, are there any general guidelines that they should be aware of? For instance, what is the proper way to credit the photographer?

Caroline: A photographer owns the copyrights to the photographs they shoot.  Purchasing the photos does not necessarily transfer the copyrights unless there is an express written agreement to transfer the copyrights to the purchaser.  You should always have a clear written agreement with every photographer stating expressly:

  • Who owns the copyrights to the photos
  • How the party who does not own the copyrights may use the photos in the future
  • For how long the photos may be used
  • Whether the party who does not own the copyrights may give other third parties permission to use the photos (such as if a magazine asks you for your headshot or photos of your studio for use in the magazine)
  • What credits must be given to the photographer for approved uses
  • How the parties will respond to requests to use the photos in ways not addressed by the contract
  • Payment terms
  • What the consequences are for unapproved uses of the photos
  • Any other terms that are important to the parties

 

What are your rights when it comes to social media content?



Melissa: What should studio owners and the people doing their social media know about posting other people’s content?

Caroline: Posting someone else’s content is risky.  Someone owns the copyright to every photograph.  For example, there are lawsuits all the time by paparazzi photographers against celebrities who post a paparazzi photographer’s photo of the celebrity on the celebrity’s social media page. If you did not take the photograph, or buy the copyright with a written contract, you do not own the copyright and your use of the photo could expose you to liability for copyright infringement.

Melissa: What about if you credit them on Instagram?

Caroline: You should always seek permission to use someone else’s photograph or other content.

Melissa: What do you suggest if another studio is re-posting your photos or creative without crediting you?

Caroline: If someone is using your content, and your content is original and wholly owned by you, then you could have a valid copyright infringement claim against the party using your material.  In order to file suit, you first need to register your copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office, which is pretty easy and inexpensive to do online at copyright.gov.  Filing lawsuits is very expensive and is a very slow and labor-intensive process.

Melissa: What if you just want someone to stop reposting your content who isn’t crediting you?

Caroline: If you simply want the other person to stop using your material, the best approach is to start with a letter explaining that their use of your materials is copyright infringement in violation of federal law and asking them to stop and to take down all copyright protected materials of yours.  Usually, a letter from a lawyer is more effective than a letter from a non-lawyer.  Also, you don’t want to misstate your position when you are asserting your legal rights, so I recommend seeking the advice and assistance of a lawyer if you think your protected materials have been used without your permission.

 

In conclusion, copyright can be a tricky thing to navigate. The barre world is filled with stories of people stepping on each other’s toes. Just look into the history of barre and you’ll find countless stories of deceit, terribly-written legal contracts, and copycats.

We don’t want you to go down the wrong path, so when in doubt it’s always best to check with a lawyer first if you can.

Jun 10
Women taking a barre class in the water.

What Exactly Is Aqua Barre and Which Exercises Can Be Adapted for the Water?

By Exercises No Comments

Aqua barre, or whatever you want to call a barre class that involves water is a fun way to get a resistance-based workout in while avoiding stress on the joints.

Many barre exercises that you would traditionally see in a studio setting can be adapted for the pool. No equipment is necessary but a pool noodle can help with stability or offer buoyancy while in the water.

As you work through these low-impact movements, you’ll notice that these exercises can help improve your coordination and build up your overall strength and stability with the natural resistance that the water would bring.

How does barre in the water compare to barre on land? I spoke to some aqua barre experts for their insight on the differences between land and water barre!

 

Women taking a barre class in the water.

Photo credit: Wet Barre™

Women in an aqua barre class.

Photo credit: instagram.com/scmoves_nc

 

Do you need props for aqua barre?

While not necessary, “the most common pieces of equipment used in aquatic barre classes are noodles, and the edge of the pool,” says Wet Barre™ creator Katina Brock. While she advises other pieces of equipment may be used such as bands or kickboards, in general, they are not as essential as a noodle or pool edge.

Aqua Barre Instructor, Sarah Catherine Carter says she also makes use of resistance tubing, aqua dumbbells and mini bands, in addition to pool noodles. “A couple of members have also added waterproof ankle weights to increase the intensity of the workout.”

 

Water barre demonstration on the pool deck with a noodle.

Photo credit: Wet Barre™

 

What part of the pool do you use for aqua barre classes?

Typically you use shallow water, that ranges from 3-5 feet in depth, since this area of the pool offers more options and many exercises are designed with the pool floor in mind. “Our members are typically in 4-5  feet of water, which is the depth of our lap pool where most aqua barre classes are held,” says Sarah Catherine.

While there are more options for Katina when utilizing the shallow end of the pool, she says that some exercises that use a pool noodle as a flotation can be done in either the shallow or deeper water, especially if there isn’t enough space for everyone in the shallow end.

 

A woman leading a water barre class.

Photo credit: Wet Barre™

What about using the wall versus the center of the pool? You can use both! While mostly sticking to the wall, Sarah Catherine directs clients to the center of the pool when there are larger groups, less wall space, and people need to spread out.

I have class plans that make use of the wall as well as class plans that are strictly for the center of the pool. With smaller groups, I enjoy the added challenge of using the wall for abs (for example hands flat, facing the wall, walking the feet up the wall and back down) or for other challenges such as tricep dips. – Sarah Catherine Carter.

According to Katina, while using a wall in the water can help to mimic the feel of a barre class on land that would primarily utilize the barre and floor, a mix of both wall and center of pool exercises offers the best of both worlds. In fact, she says that while the wall offers some great ideas, more options are available away from the wall. As for when to use the wall, she says, “It depends if it benefits the efficacy of the movement or if it benefits the participant as a modification or progression.”

How do you compare barre in the water to barre on land?

There are many similarities between barre in the water versus in a studio setting on land. Many exercises can be adapted for the pool, even if they may look slightly different. According to Sarah Catherine, most leg and seat exercises work well without much modification, and “instead of lying down on the mat, we use noodles and floating to complete core work or standing abs,” she says.

You’re also focusing on the same muscle groups as well as posture, alignment and breathwork, Katina points out.

 

Women doing aqua barre in a pool.

Photo credit: instagram.com/scmoves_nc

Sarah Catherine says that she incorporates a bit more cardio in her aqua barre classes because the water makes the exercises even more low impact. “I can incorporate jumping movements for members of all ages and abilities with an extremely low risk of impacting the joints or injury,” she says. “This adds some heart-healthy aerobic exercise to our routines in addition to building on muscular endurance and the strengthening of the stabilizer muscles that we typically see in a traditional barre class.”

What are the added benefits that you can get from exercise in the water that you can’t get from a studio barre class?

Katina points to a couple specific benefits. First of all, she says that water offers resistance in every direction, and not just against gravity. “Instead of one muscle getting really overworked and trying to offer the opposing muscle a similar training intensity, you can more effectively work both muscles and have any direction as a training option.”

Think of a bicep curl, she says, which contracts the bicep muscles when bending the elbow. “In the water, it will also work the triceps when straightening the elbow with similar force.”

“This is not the case on land as it primarily only loads the biceps in either direction up or down. The lowering phase or eccentric contraction of a biceps curl on land can actually cause more soreness than the concentric or lifting phase. So in water, there’s less soreness which is wonderful and also better for those with inflammatory or fatigue issues!” – Katina Brock

Not to mention that “there’s also potential to burn up to 28% more calories in the water than on land because of this added resistance.” says Sarah Catherine.

 

Photo credit: instagram.com/scmoves_nc

Buoyancy is another benefit that Katina points out because it allows you to do things in a floating or somewhat suspended position that you wouldn’t be able to do on land. For anyone whose skillset might be limited on land, the buoyancy can help assist the execution of some moves. Katina uses jumps as an example.

“The hydrostatic pressure and support of the water against the body also offers additional benefits for pregnant participants, those with back issues, blood pressure issues, edema and more,” she says. “In addition, the cooling effect of the water is enjoyable and also a better option for certain conditions like MS.

Katina adds that the tempo in the water is slower because of the resistance which helps people go at their own pace and not feel the pressure to say on the beat. This works really well for mixed-level classes, she says, where the experience level varies and more modifications may be required.

 

Can you adapt most standing barre exercises for the pool?

Sorry no back dancing or seated pretzel exercises in the pool, for obvious reasons, but there are many standing exercises you can adapt for the pool from the studio.

Katina compares barre in the water as more of a sibling than a twin to barre on land. “Probably half or fewer of barre exercises translate well into the water, with the keyword being well,” she says. Not all barre exercises that can be done in the water, should be done in the water because they wind up being not as effective as their land counterparts, thanks to gravity or lack thereof.

For Katina, it’s all about striking a balance between moves in aquatic barre that honour the foundational idealogy of barre and the properties of aquatic fitness.

“In the interest of good programming and challenging participants and not just having them go through the motions not all that can be done, should be done.” – Katina Brock

 

A woman doing barre in the pool.

Photo credit: instagram.com/scmoves_nc

 

Does the water make an already low-impact workout even lower impact?

We know that barre is low impact so I wanted to know does taking a barre class in the water make the exercises even more low impact?

The answer is yes! “The water is also really helpful in eliminating tension in the hip flexors – leg lifts, grand battements, passés, and more feel better in the water because there is less gravity,” Sarah Catherine says. “Plus, the water adds additional resistance to work the muscles differently.”

“It’s also always possible to dial-up or dial back the intensity. Too easy? Jump higher! Grab a larger set of dumbbells! Too intense? Eliminate the weights, stay on flat feet, march instead of jogging, etc.” – Sarah Catherine Carter

 

A woman leads a water barre class.

Photo credit: Wet Barre™

 

Just a Few of the Barre Exercises You Can Easily Adapt for the Pool

Need some inspiration? Here are a few barre exercises that can be adapted for the pool.

Marching

You know this exercise most likely from the beginning of barre class when you’re marching on the spot. It’s a great exercise to get your heart rate up and it works well in the pool too. Now you’re competing with balance and a lot of resistance through the water as well.

Start by lifting your knees up to hip height through the water, marching on the spot. Throw in a twist if you like to work your obliques.

Pushups On the Pool Ledge

We all know you can use the barre for modified pushups, so the same goes for the pool. Just use the wall edge as your barre. 10 of these at a time work well.

 

Calf raises (first or second position)

Calf raises are great in a studio but also work well in the pool. Start out in the first position with your feet turned out in a narrow V position, heels together toes apart. Raise your heels off the ground, then back down 10 times or more.

 

Wide Second Variation

Turn your feet out into a wide second position, wider than hip-width. Plie, raise your calves, rise up tall to straight legs and repeat this motion 8-10 times.

Wide Second Calf Raises sequence in the water.

Leg Lift Series

This is a great top-of-the-thigh exercise, that has many variations.

Setup

Stand profile to the edge of the pool. Your feet should be in a parallel position and hip-distance apart. Place your inside hand on the ledge of the pool. Your outside arm can hover above the water or be held on your hip. Keep your core engaged and your shoulders over your hips. Your knees should have a tiny bend in them.

  • Variation 1: Lift your outside leg as high as you can get it without leaning back, then bring it back down to the floor of the pool. Repeat 8-10 times.
  • Variation 2:  With your leg lifted as high as it can go, straighten then bend your leg, so you are doing a bend-stretch motion. Your foot is in a pointed position. Repeat 8-10 times.
  • Variation 3: Lower your leg to the pool, lift it back to hip height or as high as you can lift it, followed by a tiny bend-stretch motion. Repeat 8-10 times.
  • Variation 4: Flex your foot at hip height and just repeat a tiny lift, lift, lift motion, 8-10 times followed by a hold at the end.

 

Lunges

Everyone’s love to hate exercise in the barre classroom translates well to the water too. Now you’re also competing with balance, (in a different way).

Standing (Floating) Pretzel

We know that you obviously can’t do a seated pretzel exercise in the pool but there is still the standing option which is great for your seat.

Set up

You can use the ledge of the pool or hang onto a pool noodle for this exercise.
Start by facing the barre in a parallel position. Bring your heel toward your seat. Soften the standing leg. Toes are pointed. Next, rotate up and over the left shoulder, lifting up through the side body so you are now working in an open hip position, facing profile to the barre. Your hips are still square.

  • Variation 1: Pulse up in one-inch movements.
  • Variation 2: In a circular motion rotate the leg. Repeat 8-10 times, then change directions.
  • Variation 3: Keep your leg lifted while you point and flex your foot. Repeat 8-10 times.

Repeat this entire series on the other side, to even things out.

Where can you find Katina and Sarah Catherine?

Katina is the creator of Wet Barre™ and a continuing education provider in aquatic fitness. She offers weekend trainings with a variety of workshop topics to choose from such as Wet Barre: Booty, Wet Barre: Pilates, Wet Barre: With a Twist (rotational movement), Wet Barre: Power (cardio/strength intervals), Wet Barre: Extend (legs) and much more. You can find her at wetbarreworkout.com and at @wetbarreworkout on Instagram.

Sarah Catherine Carter teaches at the Hollow Rock Racquet & Swim Club in Durham, NC and can be found at @scmoves_nc on Instagram.

Nov 01
Michelle DuVall demonstrates 3 self-adjustments you can do at home or in class for barre workouts.

3 Self-Adjustments You Can Do to Make Your Barre Workout More Effective

By Exercises No Comments

We can make barre classes more effective by giving ourselves the power to improve our barre classes through our own intuition and efforts. I would also argue getting more out of class makes it more fun! Knowing that you’re feeling it in the “right” places as well as feeling more muscle engagement is self-empowering.

Now that we are taking more online, or socially distanced classes we may be missing out on the benefits of hands-on adjustments. We no longer have the chance (at least for now) for our instructors to use their hands-on guidance to improve our workout.

But I believe we can take things into our own hands! Try these 3 self-adjustments in class or at home:

1. Fist under the chin

Neck placement is important to ensure that the upper body is in proper alignment to avoid any strain or pain, especially during abdominal exercises like crunches. It is also a hard placement to feel or see in one’s own body.

How to: Make a fist with one hand and place it under the chin. Create space and elongate the neck by resting the fist under the chin and on the clavicle.

Why: To create and honor the natural spinal curves in the front and back of the neck (cervical spine). This helps avoid compression in the vertebrae and/or craning the neck.

When to apply: This self-adjustment can be used during all abdominal exercises lying supine on the mat, which will help prevent the neck from dropping too much towards the chest and compressing the spine.

 

2. Hip re-placement

When the leg is being lifted off the floor in standing barre exercises, the hip often hikes up. This causes certain muscles to overwork and the body to be misaligned. Without a spot from a teacher, it can be a difficult position to master. Try this self-adjustment to put the hip back in its proper placement.

How to: Hold on to a barre or a chair with one hand with the feet in the first position. Lift one knee up and grab the back of the leg with the freehand. Hold the leg and allow the arm to take its weight. With the knee bent, try and level out the hips from right to left so they create a straight line from both sides.

Why: To find a more neutral pelvic position when doing leg lifts. This will keep the work from gripping the hip flexors and overworking the quads.

When to apply: Try doing this for any exercise that has the leg being lifted up off the floor while standing. If you feel the hip hiking up, do this self-correction to make any adjustments in alignment.




3. Ball bracing

We hear the words “engage your abs,” all the time in barre classes. Actually achieving it and really feeling it can feel very elusive. But using the ball as a tool is a great way to become more engaged.

How to: Place an inflatable ball on the abdominals with both hands places on the ball slightly pressing inward. As you inhale, push the ball into the hands. When you exhale, think of pulling the abdominals away from the ball as if you could hallow out the stomach and make room for the ball to fit in the abdominal cavity. Once the abdominals are scooped in try to at the same time create as much length in the lower spine as possible.

Why: Engaging and bracing the abdominals create support for the lower spine. Using a prop allows for a tactile experience to find a better abdominal connection.

When to apply: You can do this while standing, kneeling, lying supine and prone (using the floor instead of hands).

 

 

The ability to literally give yourself support so you can take more ownership out of your barre classes is an exciting achievement to obtain. Class begins to feel like follow the leader and more empowering with tools like these self-adjustments in your pocket. Now, get out there and take things into your own hands!

 

About the Author

Michelle DuVall is the creator of Barre Variations, a compressive method and manual with an expanded syllabus of choreography and technique. She is also a passionate motivator who creates inclusive experiences for her community through movement sessions, wellness events and retreats.

Sep 04

How People With Joint Replacements Can Get the Most Out of a Barre Class

By Exercises One Comment

Barre promotes better posture and delivers on its promise to strengthen and tone, but the emphasis on proper form, holding poses for what can often feel like an excruciatingly long period of time, and building muscle fatigue can make getting the most out of a class difficult for people with joint replacements. Looking in the mirror and seeing that your form is just not quite right can also be a turn-off for individuals with joint restrictions.

Instructors promote barre as a low-impact alternative to more cardio-heavy fitness classes, making the tucking and signature shaking during extended holds ideal for joints that can’t handle traditional high-impact programs like HIIT. Correct as these claims are, introducing modifications for those with joint replacements (or really any structural limits on motion and flexibility) makes for a better experience.

And I should know. In 2015, I had a total right hip replacement which left me with a limited range of motion. As so often happens with these surgeries, my right leg is also about half an inch shorter than my left, adding some additional challenges to any physical activity. I started attending barre classes in Cleveland in 2017 while following my physician’s advice to seek out low-impact workouts that would put less stress on my joints.

During my first sessions, however, I was discouraged by my wacky form and off-balance attempts to get into signature positions. I nearly threw in the towel and decided that barre just wouldn’t work for me. Fortunately, with the help of some instructors, I learned modifications that allowed me to get the most out of my workouts while also protecting my joints. I recently completed my barre instructor training and prioritize making barre accessible for everyone, including people like me!

Below are some examples of modifications for taking barre with joint replacements or restrictions:

 

1) Wide Second position

Let’s face it: My wide second position is not very wide. As you can see in the picture below, my right knee cannot rotate back because of my replacement and limited range of motion. This prevents me from a) getting low in wide second and b) achieving the correct form where my right knee moves over my second toe. People with knee replacements might also have this problem.

 

Wide second modification for someone with a hip replacement

 

A modification is simply to not get so deep into the position. I learned that I have to go about 70% of the way down and to shorten my stance a bit. This allows me to get some of that outward rotation with my right hip without forcing the position. My form is not perfect, but what matters in this position (and any others in barre) is that you are still working the targeted muscles, in this case, the inner thighs and glutes for plies. Even though I am not as wide or low, I can still feel the stretch and lengthening in my thighs, letting me know that the pose is working.

For those with knee replacements, modifications are similar for many poses like wide second. Practice focusing on the moves without going as deep. You can still get the same effect by doing shallow plies or pulses.

 

2)  Parallel and First Positions

I don’t have as many issues with parallel and first positions with a hip replacement, but these can be especially challenging if you have a knee replacement. Apart from accepting that you won’t be able to go as low as others in the class, placing a ball between your knees will help to stabilize your joints. You’ll also be getting an extra boost in this position because you will be using your inner thighs to hold onto the ball while getting the quad work with smaller plies, pulses, and holds. With a joint replacement or knee issues, you get a double-duty workout!

 

Parallel position with ball

 

3) Standing Barre Moves and Mat Work

Here’s a good modification to have in your back pocket if you have a replacement or joint restriction yourself or if you’re an instructor: 95% of positions that can be done at the barre can also be done on the mat and vice versa. I often find it challenging to do standing poses at the barre like the standard leg lift below.

For many people who have joint replacements (even with extended physical therapy), overcompensating with the non-replacement joint means that side tends to get fatigued earlier than the other. This translates into me not being able to hold proper form, leading to lower back pain (always something to avoid no matter what pose) and the feeling that I’m not getting my working leg high enough for a solid workout.

 

Barre seat exercise modification option for someone with a hip replacement

 

An easy modification is to simply move to the mat and perform the same movement on all fours. You’ll be working the targeted muscle group but will be able to focus more on feeling the micro-movements in the glutes or thighs rather than focusing on how high you can get your leg. You can further modify by moving to your forearms.

This modification in many ways is a mental change in your approach to barre. You have to convince yourself that it’s okay to move down to the ground and look different from everyone else and that you are getting the same benefits from the poses.

The same goes for people with knee replacements. Doing mat work while kneeling can be torture. If that is the case, you can move up to the barre and maybe add a slight bend in the non-working leg.

There are many modifications that you can do to ensure that you or your clients have a good experience in class or at home. And if you have a joint replacement, you have an extra advantage in that focusing on the muscles and movements no matter how low or wide you can get helps to build a mental connection that leads to a more effective workout!

No matter what, learn the difference between the discomfort that is part of pushing yourself to achieve your working zone in a pose from sharp pain that indicates the need to modify your movements. This is key to getting the best workout and reaping all of the benefits of barre!

 

About the Author

Steph Hinnershitz completed her barre training in 2020 through Cleveland’s Barre Fly studio. She is also a published historian and an education consultant and lives with her husband in Montgomery, Alabama.

Aug 24
Lauren George and friend in barre class.

Need More Guidance on How to Add Cardio To Your Barre Classes? Read These Tips!

By Exercises No Comments

Throughout barre studios, whether in-person or online, there is a growing number of barre-adjacent class options on the menu, particularly cardio offerings. As the barre landscape evolves it appears that now more than ever, there are more hybrid options available to clients as demand grows for heart-elevating classes that feature cardio sequences while still giving you the proper barre burn.

Within the barre world, there is one subject matter expert who stood out as having an acute awareness of changing barre trends. To walk me through this topic I turned to Lauren George, co-creator of the enhanced Barre Above® program among many other equally commendable accomplishments.

Lauren George Fitness Class

Is it just me or are cardio-infused barre classes growing in popularity?

First I had to ask if she also felt like there was a growing appetite for cardio-based barre classes. “That’s really where the barre industry is trending, ” she said. “If you’ll notice Pure Barre and The Bar Method and all of these [franchises] have a cardio-type format now. People like to get the most bang for their buck, especially now when people’s attention spans are only about 45 minutes,” referring to the surge in virtual workouts amidst the pandemic.

“When you’re adding in that cardio element they’re feeling breathy, not necessarily breathless but breathy, they’re sweating, they feel like they’re getting a lot more bang for their buck. They are also improving their cardiovascular endurance along with their muscular endurance!”

Anecdotally, I’ve noticed that people are either seeking out fusion classes that marry some sort of high-intensity training with the low-impact movements of barre. She agreed.

“HIIT barre was one of our most popular classes because it bridged the gap between different formats. We weren’t a barre exclusive studio so our people that loved HIIT and Kettlebell [classes] would come to HIIT Barre because it was less choreographed. They really liked that every other song was an athletic interval and they didn’t have to be on beat. It was also a really good way to bridge the gap between your barre population and your more hardcore HIIT, strength training population.”

 

Lauren George leading a barre class

 

Three different ways to include cardio

If you want to turn up the cardio factor in your barre class, Lauren described three different approaches.

Cardio Bursts

These are 30 seconds or less of all-out effort. “It feels more like a HIIT interval,” she explained. “A lot of times we’ll put those at the end of songs. We’ll go through the traditional barre sequence and then have an explosive burst at the end.”

Variable interval training

This is where you weave more cardio exercises into a certain sequence. “I teach a lot of my sequences verse-chorus, so on the verse, we’ll do an exercise and on the chorus, we’ll do another one,” Lauren said, describing her verse-chorus approach. “With variable interval training, every time the chorus comes on I would do the cardio move so it still feels very barre and very choreographed but you’re having cardio moments.” She goes on to further explain that “these are not all-out efforts that take you to breathless, rather moments that increase the heart rate a bit and make participants breathe a little harder.”

Steady-state cardio barre class

Steady-state cardio is all about moderate intensity. This is where you are incorporating more full-range of motion exercises, so “like lunges, second position plies, and curtsy lunges. These exercises work large muscle groups which help to elevate the heart rate. Additionally, we incorporate the upper body by using dumbbells which takes it up even another notch!”

Types of barre exercises that work well with cardio

“I teach two different types of Cardio Barre. I teach HIIT Barre where there are a lot of moments that are timed and unchoreographed and then I have my traditional Cardio Barre class,” Lauren explained.

“For both of those, I really emphasize the importance of making sure your cardio exercises are still barre exercises, so instead of going from a first position plié to a chest to floor burpee or a first position plié to sprints across the studio, you want to make sure you’re still choosing barre-themed exercises.”

“The big differentiating factor between HIIT Barre and Cardio Barre is in my Cardio Barre classes I do way less impact, so we don’t do a lot of jumping, we really focus more on full range of motion exercises, adding things like gliding discs or dumbells to pick the cardio up.” If you’re in need of a more detailed explanation about the difference between HIIT Barre and Cardio Barre, read this.

Lauren suggests taking anything that uses large muscle groups like lunges, curtsy lunges or squats and turning them into more cardio exercises by increasing the range of motion, adding lengths, making the arms bigger or adding a plyometric. For instance, “instead of taking it from a curtsy lunge to side leg lift, maybe you take it into alternating curtsy lunges, then increase the range of motion, and then give the option of adding a jump and turning it into a skater,” she explains. “A curtsy lunge still feels like you’re doing barre but now you’ve added a plyometric, it’s gotten bigger and it’s going to make your heart rate go up a lot.”

“Another one I utilize a lot in my classes is a second position plié, so you take a regular second position plié, up and down and then maybe you give the option to add a relevé, and then maybe the option to do plié pop, from the second position, then jump in, arms overhead, heels touch in the first position. This still feels like a second position plié barre exercise but now you have given them several ways to add a cardiovascular challenge!”

 

Lauren George and friend dancing

Pitching cardio classes to traditional barre class diehards like me

I’ve never shied away from trying a cardio-based class but I’m a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to barre classes. I tend to like them without a tonne of high-intensity sequences. I was curious to know if she had thoughts on how studio owners can make their cardio classes appeal to people like me who might not immediately gravitate to cardio classes on the schedule.

It’s all in the details of the class description

Lauren recommended using descriptive language in the class descriptions so clients understand how cardio is going to be applied in class. For instance, say “all cardio based on barre-themed exercises,” she suggests. “In one of my descriptions, I even made a joke about it. I said ‘join us for heart-pumping cardio barre, don’t worry no sprints involved,’ so then they kind of know they’re going to be keeping it very barre friendly.”

Offer a range of options for all levels

Lauren also recommends offering options to all levels of experience. “With Barre Above, anytime we add cardio to our classes, we always give three options,” she explained. “We always offer a speed option, a range of motion option, and then a plyometric option.”

“You always want to teach the non-jumping option first. We would never go straight into ballet burpees, we would teach a full range of motion plié, and then maybe plié to relevé and then maybe a plié pop and then say ‘hey, if you want to take this to the floor, this is how you do a ballet burpee.’ So always keeping those levels in mind, especially for the more cardiovascular part.”

At the end of the day, barre can never get boring when there are so many different combinations of props and choreography.

“People love trying new things. When we add in fusion formats like Cardio Barre, HIIT Bare, or Pulse and Flow, it keeps instructors energized, our members excited and prevents their bodies from plateauing because we are constantly challenging their bodies in new ways!”

 

Want to learn more?

On the subject of cardio, there was a lot to dive into, and we only scratched the surface. If you want to know more, catch Lauren George at this year’s Virtual Barre Summit, where she’ll be leading a few sessions including one on cardio!

This year’s summit takes place online over two weekends beginning October 16. Visit barresummit.com for more details and to purchase tickets. Register by August 31 and you’ll receive a free shirt from Whimtee valued at $40 in your welcome bag. That’s in addition to the early-bird pricing discount and Booty Kicker portable barre ($80 value) that you receive with registration.

The Barre Blog is proud to be the event’s Media Partner. Look out for more complimentary content in the weeks to come!

About Lauren George

Lauren is co-creator of the enhanced Barre Above® program, creator of The Musicality Method, Master Trainer for Balletone® and host of the “Fit and Fierce on the Mic” podcast. She was named 2018 EMPOWER! Fusion Education Partner of the year.

Jun 22
BarreAmped's Suzanne Bowen on a mini trampoline

5 Ways to Incorporate a Rebounder Into Your Barre Routine

By Exercises 7 Comments

Barre has traditionally been a floor and mat workout, but that hasn’t stopped people from pushing the creative needle forward when it comes to how and where you can perform barre exercises.

Think about all the different ways you can take a barre class. I’ve seen aquatic-based classes, barre on paddleboards and aerial barre. One of the more common apparatus that we see being used in barre studios is the rebounder (mini-trampoline). Bounce classes as they are sometimes called have risen in popularity over the last few years, as clients are looking for ways to get in more cardio-based workouts, while not entirely deviating from their barre routine.

Outside of the floor workout, performing barre exercises on a rebounder is probably the next best-known way to perform barre exercises. Marrying a low-impact barre workout with a low-impact cardio workout through the use of an instability apparatus like a mini trampoline is one of the best full-body workouts around, since it burns a tonne of calories but is easy on your joints.

BarreAmped® has developed a program that incorporates barre moves with the use of a rebounder, called BarreAmped® BOUNCE. They have partnered with leading trampoline manufacturer JumpSport to develop a co-branded trampoline specifically for the workout, complete with a handle that is meant to mimic a wall-mounted barre. This is a unique feature of other trampolines available on the market. As a heads up, this article contains an affiliate link, so if you do feel like purchasing any products from JumpSport, consider using the link through this page. I would receive a small commission from the sale, which helps keep the lights of the site on, so I can continue bringing you all of this content!

I spoke with BarreAmped® founder and creator Suzanne Bowen to get the lowdown on the benefits of incorporating a rebounder into your regular barre routine and to find out which top five exercises from the BOUNCE program she recommends.

What are your top 5 barre-based exercises for the rebounder?

 

Wide Second

Wide Second targets the thighs (quads and abductors)

BarreAmped's Wide Second rebounding exercise explanation for mini trampolines.

 

Big Curl to Extension

Big Curl to Extension is a dynamic core exercise that addresses both the front and back of the body.

BarreAmped Bounce promotional image featuring the Big Curl to Extension Exercise

 

Inclined Pull-ups

The attached handlebar on the rebounder is perfect for Inclined Pull-ups.

BarreAmped's Inclined Pull up exercise explanation for mini trampolines

 

See Saw

See Saw is one of my favorite moves to target the hips, seat, and back of the leg

BarreAmped's See Saw seatwork exercise explanation for mini trampolines

 

Parallel Thighs

A classic barre thigh exercise, Parallel is taken to the next level on the unstable surface of the trampoline.

BarreAmped's Parallel Thigh Work exercise explanation for mini trampolines

 

What would you suggest to a barre enthusiast who is afraid of deviating from their regular, traditional barre routine?

Warm-up your muscles and get the blood flowing before your normal barre workout by bouncing for 3-5 minutes on the rebounder. Crank up your favorite playlist! Then take your workout to the trampoline. Traditional barre moves performed on the unstable surface of the rebounder take your workout to the next level! You’ll likely find that familiar exercises are a brand new challenge, especially for your feet, ankles, hips, and core.

Barre instructors and personal trainers — your clients might be intimidated at first, but starting slow and adding the rebounder is a phenomenal way to mix up your workouts and keep things fresh!

 

What are the benefits of using a rebounder?

Rebounding is amazing! Even low-impact, gentle bouncing is beneficial for joint health, bone density, and those with pelvic floor issues. Any intensity level will stimulate the lymphatic system (our body’s “garbage disposal” system) and offer efficient cardiovascular exercise. Plus, it’s FUN!

 

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Thanks to Suzanne and the team at BarreAmped® for helping us with this guide. If you’re interested in any of what you just read, you’ll be happy to know that we’ll be running a pretty sizeable giveaway in the near future. You’ll definitely want to keep your eyes on the blog’s Instagram feed (@TheBarreBlog) for details, which will be released in the next few weeks. Stay tuned!

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