Does Barre Ever Get Easier??

We get this question a lot from new clients. And the answer is…

The first twelve weeks of barre is quite a journey, and you may not be aware of what all is happening inside your body. Rather than a simple yes or no, we want you to be able to spot and celebrate those changes. When you workout consistently about three times a week with us, these are the milestones you may notice.

WEEK 1

Oh my goodness… Why am I shaking?! From the very first barre class, you FEEL the difference. Muscles you didn’t know you had wake up, you feel stretched out, and your posture feels like it has been reset. After the first week or so, many people even feel taller. You become more aware of all of the muscles in your core and spine working to hold you upright.

WEEK 2

Ouch… still finding new muscles! During week two, you may get a small burst of energy and feel energized after classes. You'll begin to notice new flexibility and stamina kicking in. Positions are still challenging, but you're more mentally focused and know what to expect. *Tip- try using magnesium spray before or after class to help with better muscle connection, to soothe stiff and sore muscles, and to recover faster.

WEEK 3

Your nervous system has renewed connection to so many more muscles than when you started, and you’re engaging more of them in positions. Your heart is pumping more blood flow and oxygen to those muscles. More muscle fibers are being used for the work, and the work is becoming more effective… but maybe not easier yet.

WEEK 4

Am I hitting a slump? Why am I so tired? You're definitely feeling stronger, but because muscle connection is so much stronger in so many new areas, you’re actually using more energy during the work. That’s great news that lets you know the muscle is getting stronger. Feeling lower in overall energy may feel like a slight setback. Trust us, it’s not.

WEEKS 5-6

After five or six weeks of consistency, baby muscle fibers are just beginning to form!! Most of the change so far has been nervous system change, new muscle connection, and tearing down muscle fibers. But you’re entering into the growth phase!

WEEKS 7-8

All of the connection work and muscle tear down for the first six weeks is paying off. Your body has now had time to grow tiny new muscle fibers, and that process goes even faster if you’re getting in your protein. You may actually be seeing definition of new muscles, and you will notice that your stamina and strength are allowing you to stay in positions longer, explore new positions, and take a few of the advanced options that your instructor offers in class!

WEEKS 9-12

It’s all growth from here!! You’re over the major hump. You’ve built new habits but also a new lifestyle. The discovery of what your body can do and how it can change is still just beginning. If you’re working on changing body composition, this gets much more effective after the foundation of new muscle growth is laid.

Continue learning how to nourish your body well and progressively challenge yourself in classes, and you’ll be able to track so many new changes. By this time, you and your instructor will have learned so much about what your unique body needs and responds to, and we can go deeper together to set meaningful goals for you.

What happens after 12 weeks?

Another year down the road and hundreds of classes into the future, and you’ll still be finding new ways to challenge yourself and transform. You’ll be growing stronger as you progressively load your muscles with new positions, variations, class formats, and added weights. As muscle mass grows, body composition changes, and your body benefits in so many new ways. Paying attention to all of these little changes will cause you to appreciate your body and all that it does for you, even when a class doesn’t feel “easy”. You can also appreciate the time and consistency you’ve invested into yourself when you know what is happening under the surface.

So… Does barre ever get easier?

Yes, positions will become more automatic, flexibility opens up, and your stamina and strength does improve.

There will be measurable changes in your body. You will feel how to use your muscles more effectively to feel strong, even when it gets challenging.

But do you ever outgrow it?

Nope. The good news is that there will always be a new challenge waiting for you, even in the same classes and positions. Working one inch lower. Connecting better. Taking advanced options. Improving form and flexibility. Boosting energy with fun cardio. There will always be a fun new way to grow.

**As we get closer to the phase of opening our new studio, we will be sharing more information about the different classes and formats we offer beyond Foundations. You’ll be able to get a complete, well rounded program in each week. Stay tuned for big announcements!! We will be sharing details on our location THIS MONTH!