Raising the Barre :: 5 Barre Myths (From a Skeptic)

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Less than a year after opening their first Wichita location, Barre Forte is happy to announce a second Wichita location on the east side. Now you can “Meet Your Best,” east or west!

They will be offering preview classes at their new east location from December 1-8, with a regular schedule beginning December 9! If you are interested in attending a free preview class, please email them here.  

For the last several months, I’d been slacking on my fitness regime because the gym I joined was clear across town.  So when Barre Forte Wichita opened just two miles from my house, I had no excuse not to try. I had always been skeptical of barre, mostly because I don’t look anything like a tall and slender dancer, but when I dropped in for an introductory class, I immediately fell in love.  Here are a few of the myths that I debunked myself that day:

1.     You have to have a background in dance. 

barre studioFalse. I was on drill team in high school, mostly for the socialization aspect, and I danced as a youth (like 2nd grade level, “step-ball-change” is as much as I remember) but I am NOT, nor was I ever, a ballerina. I can barely keep count. I don’t know dance postures or positions, and I can barely manage to identify the different between left and right! At Barre Forte, though, that doesn’t matter. I can mimic what the instructor does right in front of me, and her instructions are easy to follow. It helps that their movements are usually small (a classic barre characteristic) and the music is awesome!

2.     You have to be skinny and in shape.

Absolutely not! I am not skinny. In fact, I do run and weight train to stay fairly in shape, but I’m still overweight. However, I’ve never been ashamed or embarrassed about my body type at Barre Forte.The barre workout can be modified as I need it to be and all of the instructors encourage me to challenge myself, rather than compete with the person next to or in front of me. Everyone, from a size 0 to a size 22, in shape or not, will shake and burn (sometimes involuntarily)!

3.     You have to be flexible.

Flexibility may be helpful, but it is definitely not required. You will feel the burn and shake every single session regardless of your flexibility level. Modifications are frequently shown throughout the hour-long class. Stretching becomes a welcome relief after each target area regimen, which helps improve flexibility over time.  Of course, I follow their recommendation of lot of hydration and stretching following every class, which helps keep my muscles in shape for the next round.

4.     You need time and expensive clothes.

barre studioUmmm…yes and no. You only need an hour, BUT, I’m not drenched in sweat when I leave, so I can fit a few errands in after if needed! Also, Barre Forte offers Mini Barre childcare sessions too (west location only), so bring your kid!  As for clothes, you should always look the part, right? Minus the expensive part. I typically wear leggings and a tank. These don’t have to be $100 items and there is a broad range of styles represented at Barre Forte—all very comfortable. The one thing you truly do need, though, is a pair of grippy socks! Trust me, they make the planks easier! 

5.     It’s not a workout.

This is the biggest “myth” that I debunked. Although barre is a low- impact workout, it is nonetheless very intense and challenging.   Through the use of high repetitions and small movements, barre workouts engage your small, accessory muscles, in addition to your larger muscle groups. This low impact/high intensity combination is fabulous, because as I begin to age and knock on 40’s door, throwing kettle bells and battle ropes and jogging everyday is not as easy for me as it was a few years ago. Tucking and pulsing is every bit as challenging, yet more forgiving on my joints—AND I can do it every day! Barre is a workout that I am excited to say, will sculpt my body, build my core, while still being gentle on my body. It is even a workout I would encourage my mom to do, too!

This skeptic is totally hooked now and I attend every day, so meet you at the barre!

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Barre is a dance-inspired fitness format that incorporate elements of ballet, yoga, and Pilates—but is none of these. At Barre Forte Wichita (east or west), we use small, targeted movements in high repetition along with isometric holds to exhaust both the large and accessory muscles in a way many other workouts cannot. We then immediately stretch the muscles, which improves flexibility and helps produce a “long and lean” look. It is a low-impact workout that is appropriate for all fitness levels–no dance experience required!
With the addition of our second studio, we now offer a pricing scheme “Barre Across Town.” These new pricing options are valid for classes at both locations, so you can “Meet Your Best,” east or west!
Rachel Banning
Originally from the Wichita area, Rachel’s greatest adventure began 20 years ago when she married her husband. Together, they have one living child with Asperger’s (Dylan, ‘03) and one heavenly daughter with cerebral palsy (Mia, 2000-2013). She is a homeschool mom and business owner. Rachel is an unapologetic advocate for children of all abilities, a bookworm, and she will find any excuse to use her Kitchen Aid and wear Junior League red.