How Barre Can Improve Your Balance

Balance - a word that most of us struggle to obtain in all the ways: physically, mentally and emotionally. But when it comes to the physical sense of balance, it is much easier to achieve, especially if you are a regular at your local barre (class 😉)! Balance is important for everyday activities and by improving upon it can help challenge our brains, prevent falls as we age and be a sign of a strong and stable body. Barre workouts can help you improve your balance through single leg exercises, work on a stronger core, increase flexibility and improve posture. Let’s dive deeper!

1.) Single Leg Focus. There are not many other different forms of exercise apart from barre that puts a major focus on single leg work. The majority of exercises in a barre class are done using one leg at a time, thus improving static balance and hip stability, both vital in improving balance. Single leg work also gives the brain a great workout and lessens the difference between your “strong” side and your “weak “side, creating a more equal body. Although you may feel like a wobbly baby flamingo at first, with more and more practice, standing on one leg will become second nature!

2.) Stronger Core. Another main focus in barre is engaging and strengthening the core in a safe and effective way. Core exercises train the muscles in your pelvis, brain, lower back, hips and abdominals to all work together. This leads to better balance and stability. Going back to our first point of single leg exercises, a tip I always give my clients when they are finding it a struggle to stand on one leg is to engage their abdominals. Think of it as a way to tighten everything up and hold it all together. A strong core allows the body to function properly and safely which can also prevent back injuries and hip pain.

3.) Increase Flexibility & Improve Posture. An important component of any barre class is stretching. By properly stretching the muscles after use, it strengthens them and allows them to function properly and move within their full range of motion. If you find balancing on one leg a challenge, tight hamstrings or glutes could be the culprit. Try stretching before and after your workout to see a significant difference in your balance. Because barre also puts a large emphasis on proper posture (think ballerina: head held high, chest open, shoulders back), it can also aid with better body alignment and therefore make balancing a way of being!

Although you may still be struggling to figure out how to balance your work/life relationship, you can at least rest easy knowing that your physical balance is much more easily attainable just by doing your weekly barre workouts! By focusing on single leg work, getting a stronger core, increasing your flexibility and improving your posture, your body can be a well-oiled machine!

Ready to reap all the benefits of barre, including gaining back your balance? Join me in-person, on-demand or via livestream multiple times a week! Head to our website to find out how you can meet me at the barre!Hope to “see” you at the barre soon!

Cheers,

Heather McCreight