I have a love-hate relationship with workouts; however, over the past couple of years, I have found various that work for me, including our Peloton, my walking pad, and Pure Barre. I started taking Pure Barre in 2014, took a couple of breaks, and joined the local studio in the fall of 2023. I like to have a mix of high and low-impact workouts, and Pure Barre has options for both. I appreciate workouts that have a consistent flow, and I thoroughly enjoy these workouts. I am dedicating this post to answering the question: What is Pure Barre? And sharing everything you should know if you are considering trying out.
What is Pure Barre: Everything You Need to Know
Pure Barre offers four group classes with unique full-body workouts focused on low-impact, high-intensity movements that lift and tone muscles and improve strength, agility, and flexibility for everybody. Classes are 45-50 minutes long, depending on the format. In addition to these 4 consistent class styles, there is a “focus” class that changes month-to-month and often blends multiple formats or a specific focus, like core, resistance, and balance.
How Does Pure Barre Work
The technique at Pure Barre has improved my strength, endurance, flexibility, and balance. The certified teachers guide the class through the four unique class formats inspired by yoga, Pilates, and ballet. Each class features musically-driven choreography, with an effective full-body workout that benefits every fitness level and protects your joints from injury while strengthening and toning your entire body.
Are All Pure Barre Classes The Same
Pure Barre offers four different class formats, all 50 minutes or less. Each class has a different vibe depending on what your preferences are in workouts. Regardless of that, each format offers a great group fitness vibe and a really great workout.
What is Pure Barre Classic
Pure Barre Classic™ is the original barre class. This technique is the fastest, most effective full-body workout. For 50 minutes, you will be guided through a series of low-impact, small movements designed to improve your flexibility while strengthening and toning your entire body.
I really enjoy this format the most because I appreciate the chunked class. You can expect a warm-up with a 90-second plank, then an arms series, followed by a set of 3 thigh exercises, 2 seat work sections, repeated on the left and right side, an ab series, and then the stretching portion. You may use the tube or a ball throughout class and the weights during the warm-up and arm section. All of these pieces of equipment are provided in the studio. As a recovering control freak, I appreciate the control that the movements in class require. All movements are really small, often prompted by the instructor as an inch with movements matching to the beat of the music.
What is Pure Barre Align
Pure Barre Align™ combines the classic strength-building barre technique with a unique emphasis on flexibility and balance training to deliver a restorative full-body workout. In 50 minutes, there is a focus on various flows of stretching to increase joint mobility while building muscular strength and stability.
I often double up Classic and Align on Sundays, and I really love the stretching portions of class. The last 15-ish minutes of class really focus on stretching and feel like a nice yoga class. While the class is still relatively fast-paced, the music has a bit of a calmer vibe and offers the opportunity to lean into the movements.
What is Pure Barre Empower
Pure Barre Empower™ is a fusion workout of Classic Pure Barre and high-intensity interval training designed to elevate your heart rate, build strength, and increase your metabolism. For 45 minutes, you’ll use dynamic movements with ankle weights and a plyometric platform to target different muscle groups simultaneously. There are ankle weights provided at the studio, or you can bring your own. I have this set and use it in my workouts at home, too.
I will admit that Empower is a more daunting workout for me, though I always really enjoy it after I finish. This class is super fast-paced and has the highest intensity, in my opinion.
What is Pure Barre Define
Pure Barre Define™ fuses concepts from the classic barre technique with weight-based strength training to develop muscular strength and power. In 50 minutes, you will experience the best of our Pure Barre technique fundamentals combined with additional dumbbell training in functional movements to enhance muscular definition and build confidence in your form.
This class format is fast-paced with heavier weights. It is in 8 sections, so it moves quick with big, dynamic movements. This is quite different from the small movements in Classic and Align. I enjoy this workout for building more strength, and the class choreography changes frequently.
What is Pure Barre Engage
If you’re new to Pure Barre, or even barre, this is a great place to start. Pure Barre Engage™ delivers a 30-minute full-body workout showcasing the barre technique in a small group setting. While I never took a foundations class to speak to it personally, I can attest that this class would help you learn the barre workout process.
What To Bring To Pure Barre Classes
- Sticky Socks
- Reusable Water Bottle or Cup
- Towel
What To Wear To Pure Barre Classes
Beyond Yoga Matching Set
I love Beyond Yoga matching sets! Their fabrics are the softest and come in the prettiest colors. Given the use of some equipment, having tighter clothes is more of my move. This tank and these leggings are my favorite set.
Lululemon Align Leggings
I love these leggings so much for Classic and Align classes, and the ribbed fabric is so nice.
Lululemon Scuba Oversized Funnel-Neck Half Zip
I live in this oversized funnel-neck half zip, and I wear it to start a workout if it is chilly in the studio.
For other athleisure favorites, check out my review of Fabletics.
Is Pure Barre Worth It
Pure Barre is one of my absolute favorite parts of my day. I take classes at least 3 times a week, and I love the strength and mobility that it provides me. It is so good for my mental health, and the dopamine hit I get from class is so great. It has also been cost-effective for me because I take at least 10-15 classes a month. Group fitness classes were always hit or miss for me until I started Pure Barre, and I always missed it whenever I took a break.
Here is Pure Barre Reviewed from my perspective! Sign up and take a class at your local studio, and let me know what you think!
