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Its a similar feeling to what you might get from a tough lifting workout.
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So what kind of strength can barre build?
Some exercises also use a classic ballet barre to help you balance.
This doesnt mean its any easier, though.
The challenge comes from doing a ton of repetitions of these tiny contractionssometimes for minutes at a time.
These have a much higher resistance to fatigue and they also recover really, really quickly, Patterson says.
However, you wont win any Strongman Challenges just by taking barre class.
But if your goal is tomaximizeyour strength, barre isnt really the best strategy.
The muscle fibers are only adapting to the stimulus that youre giving them, Dr. Reed says.
At a certain point, youre just maintaining rather than continuing to accrue more adaptation.
That said, many barre studios are evolving to enhance the strength benefits of the workout.
And many barre studios now have strength-focused classes that use up to 15- or 20-pound weights.
But there are other solid reasons to check out barre too.
Of course, stronger muscles arent the only reason to work out.
Other aspects of your fitness can get a bump from barre class too.
Two of the biggest benefits harken back to barres balletic roots:flexibilityandbalance.
Schale-Drake says she actually sees barres balance challenges as functional core training.
We rarely lie on the floor and just do crunchesthats not very functional.
That booming playlist in barre class also has its benefits.
Because all the movements are set to a musical beat, it can encourage you to push harder.
Barre can seamlessly slot into the rest of your workout routine.
Tempted to give barre a try?
Plus it can benefit your fitness no matter where youre coming from.
Pretty new to strength work?
Barre workouts can be a fantastic entry point for heavier lifting.
Schale-Drake says they train proper alignment and build endurance that can help you to eventually take on higher loads.
I say its foundational to supporting other activities that require a higher amount of resistance, she says.
But that doesnt mean you cant benefit if youre already a big lifter.
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