If you are a beginner just getting into barre, the amount of DVDs to choose from can seem very overwhelming and confusing.
Where do you start?
Well, you can always just grab one of the “beginner” barre workouts, there are some good ones as you’ll see below.
But there are a couple of advantages to starting with a more advanced barre workout:
- They contain modifications for beginners – which allows you to go at your own pace
- As your strength improves, you can incorporate more of the advanced moves. No need to purchase another, more advanced workout (unless of course you’re like me and you feel compelled to have every barre workout that comes out ;))
It just comes down to preference and your current physical condition (i.e. injuries, fibromyalgia, etc.), in which case you may want to choose a barre workout that was designed for beginners.
Check out the list below, and see what you think.
Let’s start off with the best “beginner” barre exercise DVDs.
Best Barre Workout DVDs for Beginners
1. The Bar Method Beginner’s Workout
Now, honestly I don’t own this particular video because it didn’t exist when I first started doing barre.
However, I will tell you that The Bar Method puts out some of the best barre DVDs. They really focus on teaching you how to get into position and use correct form.
In fact, it wasn’t until about 6 months into doing the Bar Method DVDs consistently that I finally worked up the nerve to get to a live class. It’s funny because the instructors were really impressed with my form, and couldn’t believe it was my first class. I told them I had been doing the DVDs – and they couldn’t believe it. So believe me when I tell you, The Bar Method will change your body.
For this reason, I would recommend ANY of The Bar Method DVDs to a beginner (with the exception of the older ones Designer Sculpting and Fat Free – don’t even bother with those).
Here is a clip of The Bar Method Beginner’s Workout:
2. Burn at the Barre for Beginners (Ballet Workout)
This is another workout that I don’t own because it’s fairly new. But one thing I noticed about it is its slower pace.
If you have any injuries that are easily aggravated by exercise, or you have bad knees or a condition like fibromyalgia, a slower pace may be best to start.
In no other situation is it more important to start slow, learn to recruit proper muscles, and gain strength. You can always advance from there.
Here is a clip of the Burn at the Barre for Beginners (Ballet Workout):
3. Tracey Mallett’s The Booty Barre Beginners & Beyond
Tracey Mallett’s workouts are always fun and never boring. She’s also an excellent instructor and very genuine and likeable (I used to work as a trainer at her studio in South Pasadena, California-she really is a nice person for real).
This workout is only 30 minutes long, which is nice if you’re a beginner or you’re short on time. It’s challenging enough for you to feel like you really accomplished something, but not so difficult that you dread doing it.
The moves are a little fast paced, so that’s definitely something to consider…some people don’t like the speed of her moves.
The arm work in this video is pretty good, and there are lots of leg lifts and plies – which are great for toning your lower body.
Here is a clip of The Booty Barre Beginners & Beyond Workout:
Intermediate or Advanced Barre Workouts with Best Modifications for Beginners
1. The Ballet Physique DVD Collection
This 2 DVD set is one of my favorites, and made my list of the top 5 barre workouts for weight loss. Very challenging, but really great modifications for beginners.
You can work your way all the way to an advanced level with this workout, so you will definitely get your money’s worth.
The Amped Up DVD clocks in at 45 minutes, which I love when I’m short on time. It’s a faster paced workout and a little more intense than the Signature Sculpt, with emphasis on fat burning.
The Signature Sculpt is 60 minutes long and a little slower paced (but definitely not any easier).
Both workouts have a pretty thorough upper body segment, with plenty of tricep work to tighten up the back of your arms. All the moves are dance and/or ballet based like plies, hip rolls, leg lifts, and pulsing.
Here’s a clip from the Amped Up Workout:
Here’s a clip from the Signature Sculpt Workout:
2. Xtend Barre: Lean & Chiseled
Another one of my favorites, Xtend Barre has a nice intensity and fantastic modifications for beginners.
This workout is a little different than The Ballet Physique in that it includes some bigger movements and in some ways has a little more of a cardio effect with a slightly faster pace.
It’s not better or worse, I guess it just depends on your preference. One thing I will say is that my glutes are always the most sore the day after, so if you are looking to tone up your backside, this may be the DVD for you!
Click here to read my Xtend Barre review .
Here’s a clip from the Xtend Barre: Lean & Chiseled Workout:
3. The Bar Method Accelerated Workout and The Bar Method: Change Your Body
As I mentioned above, any of The Bar Method workouts would be suitable for a beginner.
These are the two workouts I started with 3 years ago when I first began barre.
These are the workouts that got me compliments from strangers, asking me if I was a dancer….no lie.
They seem easy at first, but they are pretty tough and you will be working hard. They actually get harder the more you do them.
I still pull them out to this very day, so they are definitely worth the money. They deliver the results promised and there is no dread factor.
Here is a clip of theThe Bar Method: Change Your Body:
Here is a clip of The Bar Method Accelerated Workout:
That’s all for now, and hopefully it’s more clear to you which DVD you want to start with. If not, you can always leave me a comment with any questions ;).
Otherwise, you can also check out my list of the top 5 barre DVDs for weight loss. It’s been updated as of 2014 🙂 Enjoy!