How Many Calories Does Barre Burn?

If you’ve ever asked yourself “How many calories does a barre class burn, again?” while you’re mid leg-lift, you’re not alone. The short answer: most students burn 250-500 calories per barre class — and your body continues to burn additional calories for several hours afterwards. Though the exact number of calories burned in barre class varies from person to person, you can rest assured (well, maybe not rest exactly, if you’re mid leg-lift!) that each class you take at one of our studios is helping you torch calories and provide other amazing benefits to your body. Read on to learn more about the science behind how barre burns calories and what factors influence your individual calorie burn.

Why does the number of calories burned in barre class vary?

Pinpointing the exact calorie burn from a barre class is tricky because it depends on several individual factors, such as:

 

• Height
• Weight
• Muscle mass
• Fitness level
• Age
• Overall exertion  

Even factors like the studio temperature and your hydration level can subtly influence how many calories you burn in a barre class. This variability makes it difficult to give a one-size-fits-all answer, but the good news is that barre still offers a great workout that burns calories, challenges your muscles and gets your heart pumping. 

What is the afterburn effect in barre?

Not only will you burn calories during barre, but you get the added benefit of something called “the afterburn effect.” Scientifically known as  “Excess Post- Exercise Oxygen Consumption” or EPOC, the afterburn is when your body’s metabolic rate stays elevated for a period of time after a workout, meaning you continue to torch additional calories even after you’ve stopped sweating. 

Because barre classes often consist of high repetitions of smaller movements and isometric holds, it can tax your muscles and create microscopic tears. To repair these tears, your body requires more oxygen, causing you to burn additional calories. This afterburn effect adds another layer of benefit to your barre workout, making it a calorie-burning powerhouse.

How can I maximize the number of calories burned in barre class?

Even though the exact number of calories you’ll burn during barre may vary based on individual factors, there are still things you can do to increase your calorie burn during each training session.

• Focus on deeper muscle contractions. Don’t just go through the motions of the exercises. Really squeeze your muscles and hold them for a full count. This will challenge your muscles more and help you burn more calories.

• Add more weight. Use heavier weights if you are able to maintain proper form, or opt for a Bar Strength class, which includes more weight work in a circuit training format.
• Engage your core. Your core is the center of your body and is responsible for stability. By engaging your core throughout your barre workout, just like in pilates, you’ll be working more muscles and burning more calories.

What does barre do for your body?

Not only is barre a great calorie-burning workout, but it boasts many other benefits, too. Barre classes combine the elements of strength training, cardio, and pilates movements, leading to a variety of benefits, including:

• Improved balance
• Better posture
• Toned muscles
• Increased flexibility and range of motion 

The low-impact nature of barre also makes it easier on your joints, similar to pilates or yoga, while still providing a challenging workout that can boost your endurance and burn calories. 

Does barre help you lose weight?

Absolutely! The Bar Method’s exercise formula is specifically designed to maximize weight loss while strength training muscles. Most students who do The Bar Method regularly become slimmer and lighter — sometimes within months. These results are what keep our clients coming back for more.

One of the reasons The Bar Method is so effective is that it intentionally targets your largest, most calorie-hungry muscle groups (those in your legs and glutes) and keeps them working at an intense pace. This combination of strength training and stamina building boosts the volume of energy you burn in each class.

The Bar Method also adds density to your muscle fiber, making your body more efficient at burning calories all day long. Plus, The Bar Method’s quick and noticeable results keep students motivated and feeling great about the transformation they can see in their bodies. It’s a great incentive to continue with the program and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Is barre considered cardio?

Some barre studios incorporate more cardio exercises, while others focus more on muscle endurance and strength training. At the Bar Method, we offer classes that are sure to challenge your muscle strength and your cardiovascular system, creating an intense workout that burns calories throughout the class — and for several hours after the workout. With each class, you’ll get both the strength and aerobic benefits your body needs to burn calories, as well as improved flexibility and range of motion. We even have a Bar Method Cardio class format, specifically designed to elevate the heart rate for most of the class.

How often should you do barre to see results?

The number of barre classes you should take per week depends, again, on your individual fitness level and your personal fitness goals. Research shows that you get the best results from exercise by working out three-to-five times per week. The Bar Method is non-impact and safe for your joints, so unlike other workouts, you can pop by a studio six days a week and still allow enough time for your muscles to recover.

We advise that students listen to their bodies to find the frequency that works best for them. If you feel yourself getting stronger and feeling more confident, your frequency is at a good level. If you start feeling fatigued, you’re probably over-doing it. The right frequency for you also depends on what else is going on in your life. If you’re working 10 hours a day and not getting a lot of sleep, you might try taking class three days a week to see how that feels. Always be sure to listen to yourself and your body.

The Bar Method can help you burn calories with barre classes

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to how many calories you’ll burn during a barre class, but there are some ways to ensure you’re maximizing each workout to see the best results. If monitoring your calorie expenditure is important to you, we suggest wearing a fitness monitor to class to better gauge your personal performance and numbers. We also recommend supplementing your Bar Method workout with a healthy diet and various other forms of cardio like walking, running, dance, pilates, or sports to boost your overall results.

 

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