How ballet moves and Pilates have come together to help Delhiites burn calories
For the last two years, Gurugram-based Ananya Biswas had been working out tirelessly for a fitter body. But four weeks back, Biswas started out with something called the Barre workout, which incorporates the dance moves of ballet and Pilates.
The workout, which has lately become a rage among Delhi NCR citizens, has been around for a while now in the West. Known to bring out the ballerina in you, the form involves intense cardiovascular activity to help burn calories effectively.
“I had been doing Pilates for the last two years, but once I was introduced to Barre, I realised that it’s very good for my body type,” says the 47year-old homemaker, who has previously tried gymming and other forms of workout.
“My fitness goals are different from a 20-year-old. Toning always comes with any form of workout, but it is flexibility that I have achieved with Barre. Thanks to this form, I have got my body strength back, and I’m able to balance my body, which helps avoid injuries,” Biswas adds.
Pilates expert Taru Chaddha, who holds Barre workout sessions in Delhi and Gurugram, feels the form is a great add-on to a workout. “Women looking at workout that helps in weight loss must try Barre since it is high on energy, and people want to sweat when they work out. Barre can be advised to all age groups, especially people who are not very active already and are only starting their fitness journey.”
Chaddha adds that the exercise form is a great way for beginners to build up heart rate, as opposed to intimidating activities like running or spinning. “Barre is a part of Pilates, and a fun way to achieve core strength. In ballet, we cull out the ability and strength of the body while including movement based on music. What we cull out from Pilates is a lot of focus on posture, alignment, core stability, coordination of the mind and body, and placement of the body in space. So, it’s a mixture of cardio plus strength training. A (45-60 minutes) session of Barre can burn upto 300-400 calories,” she says.
And it just doesn’t derive from ballet — 42-year-old Vanita Goel from Delhi has revived her connection with Indian classical dance through Barre. “As a kid, I used to learn Bharatanatyam, but left it in my teen years. And now I’m trying to learn Kathak. So, Barre, which has graceful movements on music, makes it easier for me to learn to correct my posture and positioning. Since it has elements of ballet, it’s a lot more structured, and has made my exercises a lot more effective. Also, without even realising that you are doing cardio, your body loses calories,” she shares.
With the soaring interest in Barre, fitness trainers in Delhi NCR are fast incorporating it in their programs. Fitness expert Manisha Ahlawat says, “For the last six months I have been trying to find someone to teach Barre at my centres. But now, I have decided to get someone from Portugal to come and teach here, so that the authenticity of the workout can be attained.”
Another possible reason for its rising popularity is that Barre is a lot cheaper compared to Pilates. On an average, if a 45 minute to one hour session of reformer Pilates (on machines) costs ₹1,500 to 2,000, a Barre session costs about ₹1,000.
Have you tried it yet?
Toning comes with any form of workout, but it is flexibility that I have achieved with Barre. Thanks to this form, I have got my body strength back.
ANANYA BISWAS HOMEMAKER Barre is a part of Pilates, and a fun way to achieve core strength. It’s a mixture of cardio and strength training, and a session can burn 300400 calories.
TARU CHADDHA PILATES EXPERT