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Misty Copeland has inspired us to check out how ballet can help reshape the physique!

Have you seen Misty’s Under Armour ad? Her body is sick! Her claves, her abs, and her arms all look powerful without being bulky. It’s clear that practicing ballet has helped her achieve this shape, and that has some wondering about a ballet workout.

Barre classes have been popping up all over the place for the last few years as instructors offered up a tough routine that looks deceptively simple. If you’ve tried Pilates (and survived), this will be a little easier for you. However, anyone can try it!

Most women might not be able to achieve Misty’s look (every body is different), but ballet delivers some great benefits aside from making you a little lighter on your feet.

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Boosted Calorie Burning And Metabolism

According to TheBodyBarre.com, the barre workout targets large muscle groups, like the thighs and butt. Continuing with the balletic exercise routine will eventually help you to develop more lean muscle, which can increase your metabolism and help you burn more calories. That means you’ll be able to shed pounds a little easier as you achieve a more graceful physique.

Improved Posture and Flexibility

Stretching is a huge part of the barre workout, and students will find that they have a greater range of motion over time. Along with that, this Pilates-influenced workout will strengthen your core, helping you to stand a little taller without putting extra pressure on your lower back muscles to help you stay upright. The improved posture will help you give you a leaner look!

Low-Impact, High-Intensity

Barre takes you through a series of controlled isometric movements that are repeated until you can’t do it anymore. WellBridge.com states that the squeezing and pulsing utilized in this workout is hard on the muscles, but they’re mercifully easy on the joints and your back.

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If you can’t make it out to a barre class in your area, you’re still in luck! This workout doesn’t require a lot of expensive equipment (you can even do it barefoot) or a lot of space. All you really need a straight-backed chair and YouTube!

Typing in “Barre Workout” or “Ballet Workout” will give you a number of different videos you can try at home for free! Before you dive in, though, it would be best for you to clear this workout with your doctor.

Ballet Beautiful | Total Body Sculpt Workout: Mary Helen Bowers

Instructor Helen Bowers takes you through a floor routine that targets every part of your body in just 15 minutes. It’s not a bad way to wind down at the end of stressful day.

Cardio Barre: Lower Body Shred Workout

Kelly Newkirk amps us the usual Barre workout to make you feel a little more burn in this 15-minute video for the thighs and booty!

Barre Standing Abs

There’s more than one way to sculpt your abs! Instead of getting on the floor for you usual set of crunches, vlogger Jessica Smith is guiding you through a standing abs workout.

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