Barre and Pilates have something in common: they both focus on strengthening and toning the core muscles of the body. Pilates is a full-body workout that works to improve posture, flexibility, balance, and coordination. Barre, on the other hand is a series of low-impact exercises choreographed to music and is based on a combination of ballet moves and strength-training exercises. Knowing this, which is best for you? The answer depends on your individual needs and goals. Generally, any type of exercise can be beneficial, especially when combined with a healthy diet and lifestyle. You’re advised to choose based on your preferences so that you’re more likely to stick with it. That said, you might need to know a little bit more about each exercise to decide which one is best for you. Here’s a comprehensive pilates vs barre comparison to help you decide.
Not that knowing the origin of the exercises has much to do with you enjoying it, but it does serve as interesting knowledge.
Pilates was created by German physical trainer Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century. Pilates’ father was a gymnast and his mother was a naturopath, so Joseph had a strong interest in physical fitness and conditioning (9).
Growing up, he was often sick and he began searching for ways to improve his health. He eventually developed a system of exercises that emphasized the core muscles, breathing, and body control.
Barre is a combination of ballet moves and strength-training exercises that was popularized by Ballerina Lotte Berk in London in 1959 (3).
When Berk injured her back performing, she began to look for ways to stay in shape and help her recover. She combined elements of ballet, yoga, and other exercises that focus on isometric strength training and stretching.
Her goal was to combine ballet routines with rehabilitative exercises in order to create a gentle yet effective workout. This is the basis of the modern barre class.
Read More: Do These Pilates Exercises At Home To Tone Your Core
Weight loss is a common goal for most people who engage in physical activity. While cardio and lifting weights are more or less mainstream weight loss activities, Pilates and Barre can also be beneficial for slimming down.
A standard Pilates class involves controlled movements, often in repetition and with a small range of motion. Your heart rate will get elevated, more so if it’s a Pilates reformer class. As a result, you’ll burn calories.
How many calories you burn depends on your body weight, intensity, and the length of the class. Calorie burn estimates for a 150-pound person in a 50-minute Pilates class range from 175-254 calories (1).
Pilates can further improve your body composition through muscle toning, which can help you look slimmer. And finally, by improving your strength and flexibility, Pilates can help you lift weights more effectively (5).
Barre is similar to Pilates in that it focuses on low-impact, controlled movements that increase your heart rate and help you burn calories. However, it has a dance component that gives it a calorie-burning edge.
The more you move, the more calories you burn. It also increases muscle strength and tone, which can help you look slimmer and more toned (6).
So while both Pilates and Barre can be beneficial for weight loss, if you’re looking for an extra calorie-burning edge, then it’s worth considering Barre.
Note that in comparison to other types of exercises such as cardio or weight training, Pilates and Barre are lower-intensity activities. As such, these may not be the best choice to rely on if you have a large amount of weight to lose.
Pilates and barre classes are both great for improving your strength and flexibility (11).
In a typical Pilates class, you’ll be required to stabilize your core muscles and move through small ranges of motion. This helps to increase strength and control in your smaller stabilizing muscles, as well as build overall strength and flexibility (10).
You’ll also be encouraged to focus on your breathing, which can help you stay relaxed and in control throughout the class.
Barre, on the other hand, is slightly more intense as it combines elements of ballet and strength training. Barre classes usually involve putting your body in various positions and using isometric exercises to target specific muscles.
You’ll work your muscles to failure, which increases the strength and endurance of those muscles while also improving your flexibility.
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Both Pilates and Barre can be useful for injury rehabilitation. Both methods focus on controlled movements and muscle toning, which can be beneficial for those recovering from an injury.
Pilates is especially helpful for injury rehabilitation, as it focuses on strengthening the core muscles and improving body control. The slower pace and controlled movements help minimize joint stress and reduce the risk of injury (2) (4).
Pilates can also be modified to fit an individual’s needs, which makes it ideal for those with pre-existing injuries.
Barre is also beneficial for injury rehabilitation. Its low-impact, strength-training exercises help build stability in the body and speed up the healing process. Barre is also useful for strengthening the muscles in a safe and controlled way, which can help prevent future injuries.
So, as far as getting back in the game after an injury, both Pilates and Barre can be beneficial.
Slouching, hunching, and a weak core are all modern-day posture issues that both Pilates and Barre can help to improve.
Pilates focuses on strengthening the core muscles and improving body control and coordination. The exercises also emphasize body alignment, which can help to improve posture. Pilates can also help to release tight muscles that are contributing to poor posture (7).
Barre classes also incorporate postural movement and alignment into the exercises. Posture is improved as you work your muscles from different angles and work to increase your range of motion.
Barre also adds in more dynamic, full-body movements that can help to strengthen your posture over time.
If you’re looking to improve your posture, then both Pilates and Barre can help.
Read More: When To Start Doing Wall Pilates: You’re Never Too Old (Or Too Young) For This Gentle Workout
As both pilates and barre have similar benefits, consider the following factors when deciding which one to choose:
There are nuances to both Pilates and Barre, so it’s important to decide which one appeals to you more. Perhaps you have a history of ballet, or you are more interested in the core-strengthening exercises of Pilates.
Think about what piques your interest and go from there. Why that’s important: If you’re not interested in the class, you won’t be likely to stick with it.
How easy will it be for you to get into Pilates? Conversely, how easy will it be for you to get into a Barre session? If you have a class that’s close enough, well-priced, and conducted by experienced instructors, then that’s a good place to start. Accessibility is key to making fitness a lifestyle.
If you have any pre-existing injuries, then it’s important to be mindful of the type of class that you choose. Consulting a doctor or physical therapist can help to determine what type of class will best suit your needs.
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Here are some tips for beginners and experienced practitioners alike to make the most out of their Pilates or Barre class:
Before a class, eating a light snack can help to provide energy. After a class, eating a meal that is rich in protein and carbs can help to replenish your muscles (8).
Both Pilates and Barre can be beneficial for fitness and injury rehabilitation. When deciding which one to choose, consider your level of interest, accessibility, and any pre-existing injuries.
With the right information, you can make an informed decision that will help you reach your fitness goals.
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