| How The Bar Method Exercises Work
| 1. How
does the Bar Method sculpt the body?
The Bar Method shapes and elongates every major muscle group, burns away fat around these muscles, and then stretches them. The result is a clearly visible change in body shape. Muscles look longer and more defined, the body becomes leaner and more slender, and posture becomes more erect.
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| 2. Will
the Bar Method help me lose weight? |
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Absolutely! The Bar Method exercise class is equivalent to interval training. It alternates between exercises that demand intense bursts of energy and deep stretches. This format produces both a high caloric burn and firmer muscle mass. Most students who do the Bar Method regularly become slimmer and lighter, sometimes within months. |
| 3. Is
the Bar Method aerobic? Yes, even though the exercises look different from those of conventional aerobics. The Bar Method body sculpting workout challenges the body’s strength and endurance throughout the class and delivers a high level of overall fitness.
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| 4. How
is the Bar Method different from Pilates ? |
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The Bar Method workout is more intense than Pilates and so gives students greater stamina and muscle definition. Other differences are that Pilates works the small muscle groups, while the Bar Method works the large muscles groups, thereby adding muscle density and an increased metabolic rate. Pilates uses machines and mat-work to realign the core muscles, while the Bar Method uses the body’s own weight to isolate, strengthen and reshape. Pilates is corrective, while the Bar Method is transformative in that it creates significant body change and peak fitness. |
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| 5. How
is the Bar Method different from Yoga?
Yoga is a highly developed method of physical, mental and spiritual release and renewal. This spiritual approach to movement focuses the body on surrender and enlightenment. Yoga is not a comprehensive program of exercise. Though it increases flexibility, especially in the hamstrings, its poses do not strengthen key muscles in the arms, legs and core. The Bar Method focuses exclusively on fitness. It strengthens, stretches and aligns all major muscle groups resulting in power, physical grace, stamina, and significant body change. |
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| 6. How
often should I do the Bar Method Workout? |
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Research shows that exercise yields the best benefits when performed three-to-five times a week. So to get good results from the Bar Method, or from any strengthening system, stick to 3-5 times a week for basic conditioning! |
7. What do you do in a Bar Method workout?
The Bar Method targets all major muscle groups by contracting or stretching them by means of controlled isolations performed to music. After a simple warm-up to get the heart rate going and the muscles warm, students work the upper body with free weights, push-ups and stretches using the ballet bar. Next come challenging exercises for the lower body, most of them performed in various standing positions while holding onto the bar. The Bar Method’s workout continues with floor exercises for the abdominals and gluteals and concludes with a relaxing series of back and leg stretches. |
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8. Where can I take a Bar
Method classes? Exercise Classes Click to see a complete list of Bar Method studios.
The Bar Method Exercises — with
Burr Leonard
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Thigh work:
High Heel Parallel
- Shapes the thighs
- Increases daily caloric burn by building
dense, compact muscle in our body's largest
muscle group;
- Strengthens and aligns the muscles
around the knees.
Result:
- Beautiful, longer-looking, gracefully
defined legs;
- Increased stamina;
- An overall leaner, slimmer, more youthful
body.
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Thigh work: Diamond Shape
- Sculpts the thighs, hips and seat;
Result:
- Slimmer hips and flatter outer legs.
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Standing Seat Work
- Lifts the seat muscles;
- Narrows the sides of the hips;
- Tapers the upper thighs;
- Improves posture.
Result:
- Slimmer, longer-looking legs;
- Elegant carriage.
- A healthier back.
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Pretzel
- Tightens and defines the seat muscles;
- Tones and slims down the sides of the
waist.
Result:
- High, round, “cut” buttocks,
and a smaller, firmer waist-line.
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Curl
- Strengthens and flattens the abdominals;
- Stretches the postural muscles;
- Increases over-all stamina.
Result:
- A straighter, slimmer, more youthful
torso;
- A healthier back.
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