If you are looking for a barre workout for beginners at home, do not worry. This article will provide you with relevant information on the best workout moves to include in your routine.
You can try out these moves with or without equipment depending on your preference and workout space.
What do I need to start barre at home?
Barre workouts are typically done using a ballet barre. Though you can use any type of stable piece of furniture to do the exercises, a ballet barre provides the most stability and ease of use. Typically, it comes in 3-4 feet wide and 7 or 8 feet tall. You can easily purchase one for between $100 to $300 depending on the quality.
You do not need anything else except a pair of lightweights (1-3 pounds) if you want to add a little extra resistance to your workout. You can add them to any move you want or add them all at once if you are familiar with the exercises and good at modifying up/down weights.
What are the benefits of barre?
Barre workouts are beneficial because they allow you to strengthen and tone your body using just your body weight.
It is a low-impact workout which the Mayo Clinic considers an excellent way to ease into exercise after not exercising for a while, such as during your pregnancy.
People who wish to achieve toned, dancer-like bodies can benefit from barre workouts.
7 Best Barre Workout for Beginners
Here are the top 7 moves that your barre workout for beginners at home should include:
1. Tuck and Side Kick
This move targets the following muscles: Gluteus medius, gluteus minimus (butt muscles)
Instructions: Stand with your feet together. Move your hands to your hips and bend your knees slightly. Lift one knee up as you kick it back at an angle. Return the foot to the center position before repeating on the other side. Make sure that you are striking the side of your raised leg and not the back of it. A good way to ensure that you are using the right muscles is to keep your front foot flat on the floor and not let it rise up when you kick.
2. Plié Squat
This move targets the following muscles: Gluteus maximus (butt muscles)
Instructions: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Bend the knees and lower down into a squat position. Keep your back straight and make sure that you are looking forward throughout the exercise. Slowly raise to the start position before repeating the process again.
3. Plié Side Kick
This move targets the following muscles: Gluteus medius, gluteus maximus (butt muscles)
Instructions: Stand with your feet together. Bend the knees and lower down into a squat position. Keep your back straight and make sure that you are looking forward throughout the exercise. Slowly rise up to the start position before repeating the process again. This time, lift one leg out to the side as you kick it back at an angle. Return the foot to the center position before repeating on the other side. Make sure that you are striking the side of your raised leg and not the back of it.
4. Plié Skier Swing
This move targets a wide range of muscles including The abdominals, rectus abdominis (abs)
Instructions: Stand with your feet together. Bend the knees and lower down into a squat position. Keep your back straight and make sure that you are looking forward throughout the exercise. Slowly rise up to the start position before repeating the process again. This time, bring both arms out in front of you as you raise one leg to the opposite side. Bend the raised knee as you bring it back down and then straighten the arms again before repeating on the other side.
5. Plié Tuck Jump
This move targets a wide range of muscles including The abdominals, rectus abdominis (abs)
Instructions: Stand with your feet together. Bend the knees and lower down into a squat position. Keep your back straight and make sure that you are looking forward throughout the exercise. Slowly rise up to the start position before repeating the process again. This time, jump up in the air as high as possible with a slight knee bend while bringing both arms up overhead. Jump back down to return to the start position.
6. Side Leaning Leg Lifts (Lunge)
This move targets the following muscles: Gluteus maximus, quadriceps (legs)
Instructions: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and take a big step out to one side while keeping the opposite leg straight and the toes pointing forward. Keep your back straight and focus on lifting the toes of the working leg up toward the ceiling. Lower down to return to standing before repeating with the opposite leg.
7. Single Leg Balance
This move targets a wide range of muscles including The abdominals, obliques (sides), and Erector Spinae.
Instructions: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and lift one leg up behind you. Keep it elevated as you balance on the other leg while making sure that your back is straight at all times. Hold for 20 seconds before swapping legs.
The Bottom Line
With these basic moves, you can work your way up to more advanced plyometric exercises that require no equipment whatsoever.
For example, the box jump will let you develop explosive power as it requires a great deal of force from the legs and hips as they contract very quickly in order to send you soaring high into the air.
In time, you could even progress to a jump squat, a very powerful plyometric exercise that requires no equipment whatsoever and can be great fun when done with a partner.
