Enjoy Barre3 Streaming Workouts At Home #barre #barre3

I love Barre3. Well, you may have noticed that I love a variety of Barre workouts, most recently I have been focused on Barre3. I am currently doing the Barre3 Challenge (starting week four). I have been doing a mix of live studio classes and online streaming workouts. I love the positive energy and the way Barre3 instructors promote the joy of movement.

While, I love barre workouts in general sometimes barre instructors focus too much on selling the workout as a way to “look like a dancer”. I love that the Barre3 instruction in class and online is more focused on the functional benefits and how the workout should feel. Yes, sometimes they do mention appearance. Improving my appearance is one of  my many motivations to exercise. It just isn’t the only one.

I love to exercise at home. I also exercise in a gym or fitness studio, but have effective at home options helps me be more efficient and more consistent with my fitness program.  I have previously posted reviews of several workout DVDs, however, this will be my first streaming workout subscription review.

Summary for Barre3 Streaming Workout Subscription Service:

Price: $15 pr month (sometimes you can get a better rate as part of a package deal)

Instructor:  Varies, includes Barre3 founder Sadie Lincoln and several other fabulous Barre3 instructors
Difficulty Level: Beginner to advanced, Barre3 workouts are multi-level
Run time: They include a selection of 10, 30, 40 and 60 minute workouts
Purpose: Mostly “toning”, core strength and flexibility similar to Pilates, Barre and many Yoga classes
Music: Generic electronic instrumentals
Equipment Used: Varies some require no equipment. Some require some or all of the following: barre or sturdy chair, playground ball, yoga mat, light weights.
Impact Level:  Very low impact
Setting: A simple, well lit studio setting.  Or a simple, well-lit living room setting. All movements are clearly visible.
Background exercisers or modifiers: Most workouts feature two background exercisers. They are Barre3 instructors and demonstrate excellent form. One demonstrates modifications for beginners, people with injuries, or who just want a milder workout that day.

 

What I Like About Barre3 Online Streaming Service:

I like that Barre3 offers a variety of workouts that are different durations–10 minutes, 30 minutes, 40  minutes and 60 minutes. This offers options to fit your schedule almost any day. If you feel to busy for a full hour-long workout, why not commit to a 10 or 30 minute workout?

I also love the core emphasis. One of my favorite aspects of Barre3 is the core work. I don’t really enjoy a lot of traditional isolated ab work.  I have also never noticed positive results from endless crunches other than an increased ability to do crunches. I have better results with planks and more comprehensive core work that strengthens all the core muscles (including the back).  I also do well with functional fitness moves that include balance challenges. Barre3 fits right in!

After my very first Barre3 studio class, I felt sore muscles in a place where I forgot I had muscles! The sore muscles were on the sides of the rib cage, I couldn’t figure out which exercise did it. But really the whole class was a holistic core workout that activates the deeper core muscles.

My lower body responds well to barre workouts and body weight training in general. I find they help with my improve my balance and help improve my endurance and ability for my other active hobbies (hiking, dancing, swimming, golf).

I feel the workouts are well-balanced. Some barre workouts can be a little heavy on the quads and the abs, but I don’t feel that way about the 60 minute barre3 workouts. I also find that my posture, flexibility, ease of movement and balance are enhanced by these workouts. These workouts engage various muscles from many angles.

I also like how Barre3 includes a nice mix of tiny isometric contractions and larger full range of motion exercises. The range of angles and types of contractions can sometimes work muscles that are easy to miss with a lot of other workout styles.

Quantity of workouts (when I counted):

• 152 10 minute workouts (I stopped counting at 1o0)
• 18 30 minute workouts
• 15 40 minute workouts
• 12 60 minute workouts

I find the Barre3 website well organized and easy to navigate. The Barre3 Online Streaming Program also includes access to seasonal, healthy recipes and to Barre3 mini-rotations (including a 7 day rotation and a 28 day rotation).

 

Any downsides?

While there are a lot of workouts, the variety is more in length and subtle variation. Most focus either on stretching or core focused dance inspired body weight training. I crave a lot of variety in my workouts. Long term, I would not be able to focus exclusively on Barre3 streaming as I prefer variety in activities and workout genres. This really isn’t a complaint, I would feel this way about other programs as well. I do feel there are enough different workout options for me to use in coordination with other workouts.

I still feel I need a little aerobic activity beyond what Barre3 offers in their streaming workouts. This really isn’t downside for me, but it may be for someone looking for one source for all their workouts. If you prefer heavy lifting type strength training you may not prefer this, however I think barre is a good complement to a little heavy lifting.

I didn’t love the music in the streaming workouts. This is typical of most DVDs and streaming workout services due to copyright expense and issues. I didn’t find the music better or worse than typical, but thought I would mention is as readers sometimes ask about the music. Once you know the workout and form well, you can turn the volume down and play your own music.

 For More Information:

For more information, please visit the Barre3 website for more information on Barre3, access to their online shop (featuring items like the cute tank top I am wearing in the selfie), their live studio class locator and online streaming subscription options.

 

Disclosures: I don’t have many disclosures with this post as it was not sponsored and based on a service I purchased access to. Barre3 did send me some great Barre3 goodies and information when I reached out to them about writing about the Barre3 challenge.