The One At-Home Workout You Need to Try During Self-Isolation

Let’s clear something up straight out of the gate: maybe that headline is a little misleading. You don’t have to do anything during self-isolation. This is a strange and unsettling period for all of us, and you need to treat yourself with kindness and care right now.

Everybody’s isolation is going to look different. Some people are being productive, others are taking care of their mental health by reading comfort novels and watching soothing television. And others are turning to at-home workouts to keep their minds and bodies active. If you are someone who is taking pleasure in working out at home right now, then yes, we’ve found the one workout you need to try at home.

There is a myriad of at-home workouts to try right now, so much so that the choice can be overwhelming. That’s why we turned to our friends at Barre Body to learn more about their online offering, as well as to ask them why barre is so uniquely placed as a routine that you can try from the comfort of your own lounge room.

It comes down to the fact that Barre Body, which is a combination of pilates and yoga that work together to increase flexibility and strengthen your core, can mostly be practiced in a small space with just your trusty old yoga mat. No fancy equipment and no need for a massive apartment. If you’re trying to make do with minimal space to work out, and you have a mat on hand, you can try Barre Body at home. Barre Body also prides itself on offering workouts for every fitness level: they have more than 200 videos on their online platform, which you can filter by difficulty and duration. If you’ve been mulling over trying barre for the first time, now might be your opportunity.

Want to learn a bit more? We spoke to Barre Body founder Emma Seibold to talk about the benefits of barre (think core strength, posture correction, and maximum flexibility) as well as how to get started on their workouts from home. Time to get stretching!

For those not familiar, how would you describe barre?

Barre Body blends the poise of pilates with the flowing sequencing of yoga. Barre is pretty, pacey and powerful. We use bodyweight exercises, often complimented by light hand weights and small props like balls and bands with beautiful sequencing to deliver a dynamic toning class where time passes quickly. Your muscles shake and fire, you ‘glow’ with sweat, while most importantly, feeling graceful and fun. It’s also pronounced “bar” (as in wine), not “bar-e” (as in raspberry beret), if anyone would like to let our Prime Minister know.

Can barre help to increase flexibility? If so, how?

Absolutely! All of our barre classes have dynamic, flowing movements which encourage your body to stretch and lengthen. Our classes are formatted to have a stretch and savasana at the end of class. This section is important to make sure your muscles recover from your workout, as well as release tension. It’s such a beautiful way to start your day, or alternatively rinse off the day.

How does barre build core strength?

Barre is known for delivering a killer workout, and a strong core is one of the many payoffs. Because so much of barre is around correct alignment, naturally our core is firing just holding these positions. Our classes run through a clever layering series which means that we target all areas of the core, from our superficial (6-pack abs) to deep core through exercises both on and off the barre.

Can barre also help to correct your posture?

To build on why barre is so great and the benefits of building core strength... The emphasis on correct alignment throughout the class assists in strengthening all of those really important muscles around your core and spine, hips and shoulders. This means you’ll find yourself sitting taller in your office chair when that 3pm slump would usually hit.

Can barre help to keep your mind calm as well as improve your physical health?

Exercise generally is integral in helping to maintain a clear and calm mind. You, for the entirety of the class, occupy your mind completely on your own body and the way it’s moving. It releases endorphins and helps you to refresh and recharge. At Barre Body, we’re trailblazers in mindful movement, and we believe exercise should nourish, not punish your body. This sentiment vibrates through all of our classes, making sure you’re left feeling calm and refreshed, ready to hit the next part of your day.

How can people incorporate barre into their at-home workouts now?

Barre Body has an incredible online platform, Barre Body Online, which houses over 200 workouts which can be streamed on-demand, wherever you are. Our classes range from barre to Pilates, yoga to dance cardio. You can filter by duration (anywhere between 10 minutes and full, hour length classes), equipment (many require none at all), and difficulty level. It’s the perfect at-home workout because it only requires the space of a yoga mat, and our expert cueing and layering means it’s safe for all fitness levels to participate in.

Do you need to be at a certain fitness level to participate or is everyone able to join in?

We make it our mission to cater to everyone. Our expert teachers are the best of the best. They’re trained to offer modifications for all levels, so you’re guaranteed to have a version of every exercise that works for you. If it’s your first barre class, you’ll probably find your thighs shaking pretty quickly, but this is normal! We’re all about good form to keep you safe from injury and to help you get the most out of every class. We have special programs for pre- and postnatal mamas, those brand new to barre or returning after injury, advanced practitioners, and even kids!

Want to try a quick barre workout? Try Barre Body's 10-minute energising morning flow on our IGTV now.

For more from Barre Body, follow them at @barrebody or sign up at barrebody.com.au.

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