Which One Gives You a Better Workout—Barre or Pilates? Trainers Weigh In
Barre and Pilates are trending studio classes, but you can do them at home too. YouTube, apps and even Peloton usually offer both. It begs the question: Which wins in a competition between barre vs. Pilates?
"Barre and Pilates share myriad similarities, not the least of which is the low-impact nature and modifiability of each workout," says Michelle Ditto, the director of training and technique at Pure Barre. "With an emphasis on core engagement, and maximizing full-body efforts, both workouts can provide a truly well-rounded experience."
Working out is a time investment, and studio classes (and apps, for that matter) cost money. When choosing a workout, you want to get the most bang for your buck. Which should you choose: Pilates vs. barre? Plus, what's the difference between barre and Pilates, anyway? Experts in each workout shared their thoughts.
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What is Barre?
Ditto explains that barre combines the core strength found in Pilates, yoga's mindfulness, the high intensity of other studio classes and fun dance music.
Barre has definitely evolved over the years, but its roots can be traced back to Lotte Berke, a ballet dancer born in Germany. After dancing on the European stage, Lotte had a spinal injury so she could practice ballet barre routines while rehabbing. Enter The Lotte Berk Method. Her student, Lydia Bach, introduced the method to the U.S.
These days, we have franchises like Purre Barre and The Bar Method. Different instructors and franchises have distinct features. However, people generally do a mix of exercises on the mat and at a ballet barre (which can be swapped for a steady surface like a chair at home). Light weights and a Pilates ball may be involved, though many moves can be done bodyweight-only. The workouts are high rep-counts, so you'll fatigue the muscles even if you're not clutching massive dumbbells.
"Barre workouts can do incredible things for both body and mind—hello, mind-body connection," Ditto says. "Moreover, barre can provide a deep sense of community engagement within the studio itself. Along with all of those good vibes you’re feeling, you are also doing amazing things for your body every time you step up to the barre."
Benefits of Barre
1. You gain strength and definition
Expect to feel the thighs burning from every which way when instructors tell you you'll be working that muscle group. "If we tell you we are going to work your thighs, we are going to target that muscle group from all angles," Ditto says.
The same goes for the booty, abs, arms and back. Ditto explains that when you strengthen each muscle group thoroughly, you create definition and boost underused muscles.
"While many high-impact exercises like running strengthen large muscles like the quads, hamstrings and calves, adding in a barre workout can help increase overall strength and allow you to fire from more muscles each time you run," Ditto says. "This not only makes runners faster and more efficient, [but] it also helps to prevent injury and strain on the joints."
2. More endurance
Think endurance is something you can only build while training for a marathon? Please.
Each time you take a barre class, you will do different types of movements. Yet, the movements will likely use isometric contractions and tiny, isotonic movements.
Wait, what? Ditto explains that isometric contractions involve tightening or contracting muscles without changing lengths. Think planks, which you'll hold so long your legs might start to shake.
"These contractions utilize your slow-twitch muscle fibers, which can increase stamina and the oxygen capacity of your muscles," Ditto says. "This increases endurance and allows the body to burn energy for longer periods. Small, non-impact movements also mean that barre workouts are safe at any age and that you can continue to take classes for years without any risk of injury."
3. Increased flexibility
First-timers may be intimidated by the number of former ballerinas and gymnasts doing splits with ease before a class. Don't be.
"You don’t have to be flexible to start taking barre classes," Ditto reassures.
In classes like those at Pure Barre, you may never be able to do a split. However, all the stretching will boost flexibility. "Each targeted section of the workout is followed by a stretch of the area worked," Ditto says. "The health benefits of increasing your overall range of movement are endless, from improving circulation to injury prevention."
4. Better posture
Consider barre the perfect Rx for sitting at a computer all day. "In a barre class, your core muscles are used throughout, whether you are working them as the primary focus or they are being used as a stabilizer muscle for a position working a different muscle group such as the thighs or seat," Ditto says.
Ditto explains that as the core gets stronger, so will your ability to sit and stand taller. The result? A lower back that endures less stress and tension throughout the day.
5. Stronger mind-body connection
Barre is quite the physical workout. Yet, it also gives your mind some exercise (and a good decluttering). "Our brains are so often filled with thoughts of work, kids, relationships and what’s next on our busy schedule," Ditto says. Barre classes encourage you to put those thoughts aside and focus on the task at hand: burning it out and stretching.
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What is Pilates?
"Pilates...is a method of exercise that focuses on strengthening muscles while improving postural alignment and flexibility," explains Laura Fielding, the lead instructor at Club Pilates Cherry Hills and Club Pilates Cherry Creek in Denver, Colo. Pilates was developed by Joseph Pilates, a German bodybuilder, in the early 1920s. It's a mind-body practice with six guiding principles:
Breathing
Concentration
Centering
Control
Precision
Flow
"Pilates also emphasizes breathing and concentration to promote mindfulness and body awareness," Fielding explains. "It's often used to improve core strength, enhance balance, and rehabilitate injuries."
Pilates is low-impact. Though it's not specifically for dancers, injured dancers often gravitate toward it for its emphasis on core, balance and precision. "It is a very effective full-body workout while being gentle on the joints. Pilates is often used as a form of rehabilitation," Fielding says. "The method is quite gentle and is often recommended after an injury."
Benefits of Pilates
1. A core workout
You may not even know you're working the core during moves like single leg lifts, but you are. "Pilates is a full body workout centering around a strong core," Fielding says. "In virtually every Pilates move, the core is engaged to provide stability in the body. Pilates exercises primarily target the muscles of the core, including the abdominals, back, hips and glutes."
2. Pain relief
The muscles worked in Pilates, combined with its low-impact nature, can actually help relieve pain—hence why it's so popular with people recovering from injury.
"Many people practice Pilates after a back injury to strengthen the core, which can help alleviate certain types of back pain," Fielding says.
The hefty amount of stretching involved doesn't hurt. "Pilates exercises often involve stretching and lengthening muscles, which can help improve flexibility and range of motion in the joints," Fielding explains. "This can be particularly beneficial for individuals who are prone to stiffness or have tight muscles. This can help combat the effects of sitting for long periods of time."
3. Muscular balance
Pilates is not a one-sided ordeal. "Pilates exercises focus on working both sides of the body evenly, which can help correct muscular imbalances," Fielding says. "This can reduce the risk of injury and improve overall body alignment."
4. Body awareness
Pilates helps you learn your body. "Pilates emphasizes concentration, control and precision in movement, which can help individuals develop a greater awareness of their bodies and how they move," Fielding shares. "This increased body awareness can translate into improved coordination and movement efficiency."
5. Better posture
Pilates targets the muscles that support posture and improves body awareness, which can help you sit straighter and taller. "By focusing on proper alignment and balance, Pilates can help individuals move more safely and efficiently," Fielding explains.
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Barre vs. Pilates: Which One Is Better?
It's all about your preference. Ditto and Fielding agree that whether you opt for barre or pilates depends on your goals, preferences and home equipment (if you're opting for at-home workouts).
"There is truly no 'better than' in fitness," Ditto says. "The gold standard of what is best is whatever works best for you consistently. I emphasize the word consistency beyond any other because while there are key benefits to fitness after only one bout, including boosts in energy and mood, the physiological and mental benefits of fitness compound with time and consistency."
For Ditto, barre is just that, and she says the workout can offer some perks that distinguish it from Pilates. "The minimal equipment required for most barre regimens and the focus on body weight exercises, matched with the faster-paced modalities included in some barre techniques, can make barre studios a true one-stop-shop for a well-rounded fitness routine," Ditto explains.
However, Fielding points out that Pilates workouts can also be mat-only. Pilates exercises target the entire body, but there's more of a core focus. "Pilates exercises target the core muscles, including the abdominals, back, hips and glutes," Fielding reiterates, adding this emphasis can boost strength and stability. The intensity and energy are also generally more predictable than barre.
"Pilates workouts can range from gentle and rehabilitative to more challenging and intense, depending on the specific exercises," Fielding says.
Still, Fielding agrees: You get to pick your own winner. "Ultimately, the choice between barre and Pilates may depend on individual preferences, cost, fitness goals and interests," she says.
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Sources
Laura Fielding, the lead instructor at Club Pilates Cherry Hills and Club Pilates Cherry Creek in Denver, Colo.
Michelle Ditto, the director of training and technique at Pure Barre
