You guys—I have some great news to report. In-studio experiences are finally a thing once again. You know what this means? We can now get back to sweating it out with our besties and our favorite fitness instructors at our go-to fitness spots—just in time for summer.  

If you’re like me, you’re probably pulling out your phones right now and packing your schedule full of workouts. If you’re familiar with some of my previous posts, then you are aware that I am a bonafide fitness fanatic. Before the pandemic hit, I was hitting a spin class seven days a week and sprinkling in some yoga sessions as well. However, when my fitness studio went on lockdown, I had a really hard time finding a stationary bike that suited my needs and to be honest, I do not have Peloton money. Instead, I embarked upon an at-home fitness journey and started doing barre a few times a week. I know, I know—if you read my last blog post I wrote about my barre experience, you’re probably shocked that I kept at it.  

But you know what? Even after just a few classes, I started noticing changes in my body. My legs were stronger and more toned—which was definitely a plus for this spin addict. So now that we’re back to in-studio experiences, I’ve kept up with my spin-every-damn-day habit and have been a regular at my local Barre3, as well. Not to mention, I live in Phoenix where summer temps are regularly at a cool 120 degrees, so you literally feel like you’re being set on fire when you go outside. Seriously—why do I even live here?! Needless to say, shorts are what I live in these days so having ballerina-esque legs is a huge win for me.  

Have I convinced you to try barre yet? If not, you should know that this addictive exercise is great for all levels, but it will challenge you from beginning to end and help you achieve the body of a dancer—even if your dance moves are as awkward as mine. Before you decide to plié your little heart out, here are some tips to help you crush your next barre class. 

New here? Check for intro offers 

Who doesn’t love a good deal? If it’s your first time at a barre studio, check to see if they have an intro offer for newbies. Lots of studios have deals to encourage customers to check out what their studio has to offer for a very reasonable drop-in price. So, before you sign up, make sure you check for local intro offers—your wallet will thank me.  

What you wear is important 

Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to show up looking like a ballerina. A good rule of thumb for any barre class is to wear what you would sport in a yoga class—ideally pants that fall below the knee. This is not the time to bust out those shorty short shorts because you’re going to be on the floor a lot doing a bunch of different positions—I think you see where I’m going with this. 

Socks matter 

For barre, you'll want socks that absorb sweat and have good traction. Many fitness stores are now selling socks with grips on the bottom, which are ideal for barre. Your studio might sell them on their website as well. 

Fuel yourself before and after class 

Having a solid pre-workout and post-workout meal is a must when taking a barre class. I personally can’t eat too much before a workout—especially if it’s an early morning class—so I stick to something simple that gives my body the carbs it needs to get through the class like a banana. And after class I like to drink a protein shake to help my muscles recover—trust me, they are going to need it.  

Embrace the shake 

In a barre class, you’ll quickly learn that you’ll start shaking almost immediately after the class begins. Lots of folks get nervous and think they are doing something wrong when their legs start acting like baby deer legs. But those intense trembles are actually the goal, believe it or not. When your body shakes, you are exhausting that muscle and forcing it to tone, so learn to love the shake! 

Practice self-care after class...like immediately 

Look, the difficulty of a barre class can be a little deceptive. Even though you feel like your muscles are breaking while you’re in class, you feel light as a bird by the end.  Don't let this fool you, you will be SO sore the next day—like the sorest you have ever been. I’m not joking—after my first barre class, I had to walk my dogs in high heels because I couldn’t get my feet to fall flat to the ground. Why did this happen? Because the airiness I felt after class got the best of me. To decrease your chances of getting super sore, you need to either stretch at home, take a bath infused with Epsom salt—or ideally do both. Releasing your muscles will not only ease your body for the next day, but it will also help you gain more flexibility. 

Don’t let the soreness overrule your next workout 

Nobody appreciates a rest day more than this gal—but the day after a Barre class is not the time to veg out on the couch. Like I said above, the day after a barre class is the sorest you will ever feel, so it's easy to talk yourself out of working out. This is surprisingly the most important day to go back. If you work out on the second day, you will push through your soreness and feel so much better—I promise! 

Stick with it—you’ll love the changes you see 

I started noticing a difference in my body—and my spin performance—after taking a few barre classes per week. The more you take class, the easier (and less sore) you will be after the workout. I mean just think about it—barre exercises are supposed to mimic what professional dancers do in their rehearsals. It’s no wonder why they look so long and lean.   

Ready to try barre? Book a barre class on Mindbody.