BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM

Barre has long been a go-to workout for those who want to tone up without the pounding impact of high-intensity training. Inspired by ballet, Pilates, and yoga, this elegant yet intense method delivers a total-body burn, often with just your body weight or a pair of light hand weights.

But if you’ve ever left a class wondering whether your quivering muscles just got stronger or if your heart-thumping effort counted as cardio, you’re not alone. Is barre strength training? Is it cardio? The truth is: it might be a little of both.

Here’s what experts have to say about the matter, and how to make barre work for your fitness goals.

Barre and strength: where it fits in

To understand whether barre “counts” as strength training, it helps to define what strength training actually is. True strength-building workouts typically involve lifting heavy weights (about 80 percent of your one-rep max) for just a few reps at a time. The goal is to increase the maximum force your muscles can produce, not just how long they can keep going, which is not exactly how most barre classes are structured.

“Barre is an absolutely fantastic way to build muscular endurance,” says Lisa Schale-Drake, instructor trainer at barre3. “It’s heart-healthy and fantastic for core strength, balance, mobility, and stability.”

In most classes, you’ll do high-rep sequences using your body weight or light props like two- or three-pound dumbbells, mini bands, or sliders. You’ll often work within small ranges of motion called pulses that keep your muscles under tension for longer periods.

Rather than building maximum strength, this kind of training is excellent for improving muscular endurance, which Schale-Drake explains as your ability to “move with integrity longer.” This endurance supports everything from posture to injury prevention.

Andrea Fornarola, certified personal trainer and founder of Elements Barre Fit, agrees. “Rather than doing five or ten reps, you might do 24 or more reps per muscle group,” she says. You’ll also hold isometric exercises like planks or wall sits, which challenge your muscles without movement.

If your goal is to deadlift heavy or build major muscle mass, barre might not be your primary strength-building tool. But it’s an ideal way to improve endurance, form, and control, all of which are essential foundations for functional fitness.

Can barre double as cardio?

If your heart is pounding during class, you’re not imagining it; barre can definitely deliver a cardio challenge.

Cardiovascular exercise, or aerobic exercise, refers to any rhythmic activity that increases your heart rate and breathing while using large muscle groups. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adults should aim for 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity per week.

“Barre-style classes can one hundred percent provide amazing heart-healthful benefits,” says Schale-Drake, especially when the class involves sustained, flowing movements. “You’re continuously moving, which keeps the heart rate elevated,” she adds.

Most classes are designed to flow from one movement to the next. Think squats at the barre to planks on the mat and back up again in quick succession. This rapid transition helps create a cardio-like effect without requiring high-impact movements.

“You’re moving quickly through small ranges of motion, so your heart rate stays up,” Fornarola explains. And depending on the class style, some barre formats like cardio barre or dance-based barre lean even more heavily into the aerobic zone.

Choosing the right barre class for your goals

Barre isn’t a one-size-fits-all workout. Some classes focus more on strength or power, while others emphasize cardio, endurance, or dance-based flow.

If strength is your main goal, look for class descriptions that include phrases like “weight-based,” “resistance,” or “strength focus.” For example, barre3 offers dedicated strength classes, and Pure Barre’s Define class targets strength and power specifically.

To boost cardio, check for class names or descriptions with words like “sweat,” “high-intensity,” or “cardio barre.” Dance-based options often sneak in serious aerobic benefits while keeping things playful. “We take it back to old-school music,” Fornarola says. “We get very Jane Fonda meets Madonna.”

Whichever class you choose, don’t expect the same kind of gains you’d get from heavy squats or sprints. What you can expect are results that build a strong, balanced, and mobile body.

Bonus benefits of barre

Beyond cardio and muscular endurance, barre offers a host of other functional benefits.

• Core strength: You’ll train not just your abs, but deep core muscles, including the pelvic floor and spinal stabilizers.
• Balance and mobility: The emphasis on control and alignment helps improve your range of motion and ability to move smoothly through everyday tasks.
• Low impact: Barre is gentle on the joints, making it accessible for people recovering from injury or looking for sustainable movement.

Fornarola emphasizes that this makes barre a smart cross-training tool. Powerlifters, runners, and even professional dancers have used barre to round out their programs with mobility and injury prevention.

One of Schale-Drake’s clients uses barre to complement her marathon training, while another, a powerlifter, sees it as a way to improve her form and stamina. “She’s actually able to lift heavier because of it,” she says.

How to make barre part of your routine

If you’re new to barre, start with one or two sessions a week and see how your body responds.

“You don’t need a big recovery window after barre,” says Schale-Drake. “It’s something that can be done on a daily basis.” And because many classes offer modifications, you can scale the intensity up or down depending on your energy levels.

Check in with yourself after a few weeks. Is barre helping you feel stronger? More energized? Supporting your other fitness goals? If yes, you can consider adding more classes to your routine or simply keep enjoying it for what it is: a fun, functional workout with benefits that go far beyond the burn.

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