Do you crave regularity or flexibility when it comes to working out? Are you a barre beginner or a bona-fide athlete? Whichever way you swing, WeBarre On Demand has got you covered!

Workout anytime, anywhere

Between WFH meetings, child care and the craziness of a stay-at-home lifestyle, we don’t always have the luxury to join a scheduled virtual class, let alone have an hour of undisturbed time! Got only 10 or 20 minutes to spare? Sneak in a quick but efficient targeted workout, like “Booty Burn with Pris” or “10 Minutes, 10 Exercises with Anabel”. Need a breather after a tense video conference call? Unwind with “Zoom Fatigue Stretch with Joie”. No matter what your situation, you can make it work!

Super-sculpt your body

A full-length WeBarre Virtual or in-studio class is usually all you need for a great workout, but sweat addicts, we’ve got you! Looking to challenge your arms or your core even more that day? Go ahead and top up your daily burn sesh with our blaster series! Or if you’re feeling extra sore and need a little more TLC and recovery, the On Demand catalogue has got you covered with our library of relaxing and rejuvenating stretch routines.

Spice up the burn with variety

One of the biggest enemies of working out is boredom. After all, your mind and your muscles want to be challenged! The greatest benefit of WeBarre On Demand is the sheer range of videos you can choose from, apart from our classic WeBarre workouts! Need a little pick-me-up? Go for a fun dance-inspired cardio to boost your mood and your heart rate. Interested in polishing that poise? Our resident ballerinas have a selection of ballet-inspired toning exercises. From HIIT to mindfulness, WeBarre On Demand is the answer to your at-home fitness journey.

Best value for your burn

Did we also mention that WeBarre On Demand is our most affordable offering? That’s right! For less than the price of a single drop-in class at our studios, you get a full month’s access to our library of almost 100 workout videos! But that’s not all – from 22 July 2021 to 29 July 2021, WeBarre On Demand is offering an EXCLUSIVE 30% off our Annual Subscription Plan! That works out to only $24.50 per month, or $0.80 a day. For less than a dollar each day, you’ll get UNLIMITED access to our ever-growing catalogue and all the burn you want! Click HERE to get this amazing deal now!

The post 4 Reasons Why On Demand Fitness Should be a Part of Every WeBarre Addict’s Routine appeared first on WeBarre.

Our virtual classes have allowed us to take this dream to your living room, keeping close to each other no matter what comes our way. If you’ve been on our virtual classes, you would’ve heard the familiar call from your instructors: “Turn on your videos, let me see your beautiful faces!” That’s because we do!

More importantly, we believe that having your camera on will change the way you workout from home. Here are 5 reasons why you should go ahead and click “start video”!

1. Brings you closer to your happy place

Yes, all you need for a workout is your props, your instructor on screen, and their instructions. But we can push ourselves beyond our limits when we work together as a community. You get to see your barre-dies power through the burn in the grids next to yours, and the love-hate smiles when your instructor cues to “pulse”. The high of getting through this together will bring fire not just to your quads, but to your hearts!

2. Holds you accountable to your workout

You know that moment in studio, when your instructor looks at you and you feel motivated to go a little deeper into the burn? On virtual, turning on your camera works the same magic. Knowing we’re always looking out and cheering you on, we guarantee you’ll feel the extra drive to fire up your moves. Don’t give yourself the excuse to go easy!

3. You get that personal touch

The best thing about turning your video on is that your instructors can see your movements and give you more targeted guidance to help you go deeper into your moves. Your instructor will become more than just a voice on the screen. Plus, you’ll get the same engagement and challenge as your studio workout.

4. You’re in a safe space

When you log into a virtual class, you’re entering a judgment-free zone. We don’t care if your room is messy or if you’re wearing your pajamas to work out! We just want to help you get the best out of your workout. Trust us – you’ll feel the difference!

5. It’s more fun!

Most importantly, keeping your videos means you can see your barre-dies reunited in one screen. Let loose and get a little playful — after all, we’re all here for some good fun! It’s also a great chance to have a little banter before or after classes, and show off your puppies or kitties or babies. Everyone needs a dose of cuteness in their lives!

The post 5 Reasons Why You Should Turn On Your Video During Virtual Classes appeared first on WeBarre.

Feeling motivated and ready to burn off your weekend indulgence, but daunted by the thought of an hour’s run under the sun? Skip the jog and just HIIT it instead! Here are 3 key reasons why you should incorporate HIIT workouts in your fitness routine.

1. Burns calories efficiently

45 minutes of HIIT burns just as much or even more calories than your regular hour-long WeBarre Signature Multi-level class! Because of the intensity, your body consumes more oxygen post-HIIT for recovery, so you continue burning more calories 2-3 hours after your workout. For those of you who are time-crunched and finding the most efficient ways to workout, this one’s for you!

2. Lowers blood pressure

With the combination of high intensity and rest periods in HIIT, you may find it easier to push yourself to your maximum. That means you’re making the most out of every second of your workout. Plus, this dual process of explosive movement and rest also helps reduce the stiffness of the artery walls, leading to a reduction in blood pressure. Over time, this can help to lower the resting heart rate, improving overall health, and reduce the chances of developing a heart condition.

3. Increases your metabolism

Due to the high intensity of the workout, HIIT can elevate your metabolism for hours after your workout. In addition, HIIT stimulates the production of your human growth hormone (HGH). HGH not only increases caloric burn, it also slows down the aging process. It’s a win-win!

At the barre, we often alternate aerobic and resistance exercises during our HIIT classes. You know how we love keeping you on your toes! So what are you waiting for? Feel the magic of HIIT for yourself and we’ll see you at the barre!

The post Let’s HIIT it!: 3 Benefits of HIIT appeared first on WeBarre.

It’s one of the most iconic moves in ballet, and we do it all the time at WeBarre. Here are some tips to get your form right – not only to challenge yourself more in class, but also to strike that gorgeous pose for a post-class #webarrewefie!

Tip #1: Always find that toe to knee connection

If it looks like a yoga tree pose, it’s not a passé. Don’t get us wrong – the tree pose is excellent for challenging and improving your balance during yoga practice! However, the key difference between the two very similar-looking moves is that a passé engages the calf muscles and stretches the ankle as well. Instead of pressing the entire sole of the foot onto the opposite inner thigh, the passé requires a graceful pointed foot with only the big toe touching the inside of the opposite knee.

Tip #2: Keep your hips square

In a bid to get a higher passé, a common mistake is to lift the hip and lean over to the side. By doing so, you won’t be getting the core and hip strengthening benefits of this move!

Instead, focus on keeping both hip bones level and the spine upright and neutral. If you’re unable to draw your foot up as high as you like when you are doing so, don’t sweat it! With regular practice, you will gain more mobility and flexibility, as well as strength and balance.

Tip #3: Avoid sickling the foot

What is a “sickled foot”? The term comes from the fact that a sickled foot literally looks like a sickle! Sickled feet happen when the ankle is tensed and the toes are scrunched inwards.

Instead, lengthen and stretch the ankle, and engage the arch of the foot to form a proper pointed toe. There should be a long, continuous line from the shin towards the toes, instead of a bend in the ankle. Doing this properly will also tone and sculpt your calf muscles!

Interested in learning more about proper form and alignment, and want to get more out of your regular WeBarre workouts? Then check out our Raise the Barre: Masterclass workshops! In this 2-day, 6-hour workshop, you will also study the body’s anatomy and how the WeBarre Method works on the body, as well as proper breathing techniques while exercising. Click here to book your spot!

The post Barre Breakdown: How to do a Perfect Passé appeared first on WeBarre.

Loving that #barreburn from your classes and want to keep the good vibes going? Then pull up a chair and grab a partner, because here are 3 barre moves you can do anywhere that are as simple as they are effective and fun!

1. Attitude.

Work your core and inner thighs with Attitude (we’re not kidding, that’s what the move is called!).

Set up for Attitude:

1. Hold onto a chair for balance and stand with your heels together, feet forming a “V”.
2. Extend and lift the leg that’s further from the chair. Point your toes!
3. Bend your knee in a 90-degree angle.
4. Tilt your knee outwards so that your inner thigh and inside of your ankle are facing the ceiling.

Movement:

1. Lower your bent leg to tap the floor, and lift it back up. Repeat 8 times.
2. Keeping that Attitude nice and high, pulse your leg up to deepen the engagement in your core, hip and inner thigh. Repeat 8 times.
3. Repeat the move on your other leg.

2. Curtsey to Battement Tendu

This dynamic move not only works your quads and calves, it gives a great cardio kick as well!

Set up for Curtsey:

1. Stand with your heels together, feet forming a “V” shape. Hold onto a chair for balance.
2. Place your outer foot directly behind your supporting foot.
3. Bend your knees to create a diamond shape between your legs (as pictured).

Set up for Battement Tendu:

1. From Curtsey, brush your back foot through the floor and throw your leg forward and up in the air into a long, graceful kick. Keep your toes pointed!

Movement:

1. Starting in Curtsey, sweep your back foot forwards into a Battement Tendu and return to Curtsey. Repeat 8 times.
2. Up for a challenge? Keep that last Battement Tendu lifted in the air and pulse it up 8 times.
3. Repeat the set on your other leg!

3. Partner-assisted Chair Plié

You’ve done this move many times at the barre, but do you know that you can also do it with a partner? Double up that burn and work your thighs, glutes and core with this iconic barre move!

Set up for Chair Plié:

1. Stand toe to toe, facing your partner.
2. Grasp each other’s hands firmly and sit back into an imaginary chair at the same time.
3. Hold in that position.

Movement:

1. Starting from standing, sit back into the chair plié position at the same time and then return to standing. Repeat 8 times.
2. Staying in chair plié position, move your hips up an inch, down an inch to deepen that quad burn. Repeat 8 times
3. Hold the chair plié, and just hang in there! Have a chat about what’s for dinner, or share your plans for the day. Or maybe just stay in position and dare your partner to stand up first. Nothing gets us more fired up than a little friendly competition!

There you go, 3 simple barre moves to get you in the groove. But if you’re still itching for more, then check out our all-new On Demand platform for full-length and targeted workouts! Whether you’re strapped for time and want a quick sweat session on the go, or if you’d like to prolong your post-class barre high, there’s something for everyone. Sign up now, and get your first 7 days free!

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Pitta Mask

Overall best ranking

• Breathability 5/5
• Wearability 5/5
• Fit 4/5

The hot favorite amongst WeBarre instructors, you’ve probably seen them wear this mask in the studios. It’s made with polyurethane and is designed to fit the facial contours. As the mask curves away from the nose, it’s possible to take deep breaths, especially when the workout gets tough! Plus, the material resembles a light and sponge-like, which wicks away perspiration quickly.

However, since the mask is so porous, it’s not recommended for day-to-day wear. Outside of exercising, stick to surgical masks or fabric masks with filter inserts.

Under Armour Sportsmask

• Breathability 4/5
• Wearability 5/5
• Fit 4/5

Recommended for athletes! While the mask looks thick, it’s actually very light and breathable. Like the Pitta mask, the Under Armour mask has a structured shape and curves away from the nose to allow for clearer breathing. The only drawback is that it gets muggy when you sweat, and feels uncomfortable with prolonged wear.

Uniqlo AIRism Face Mask

• Breathability 1/5
• Wearability 5/5
• Fit 5/5

Rated one of the smoothest and most comfortable masks to wear – but not to exercise in. Due to its built-in filter layers, it’s excellent for day-to-day wear and light walks. However, because of that reason, the mask is thicker than most and is not recommended for cardio-intense workouts. Perfect for WeBarre Stretch & Technique classes, though!

The post Masks for Working Out: WeBarre Instructors Rate Their Favorites appeared first on WeBarre.

Flexibility is often a skill associated with yogis, dancers and gymnasts who can leap into air splits on request (and kudos to them). But the fact is, whether you’re a pro contortionist, a corporate bee, an athlete, or a home-based hustler, flexibility is something we should all incorporate in our muscles to improve our health and well-being. So, why exactly is flexibility so important?

1. Lowers the risk of injury

And we mean both sport and everyday injuries. The NSCA’s Essentials of Personal Training discovers that “among the more common problems seen in individuals with poor flexibility is lower back pain potentially resulting from tight quadriceps, iliopsoas, and back muscles”. By having more flexibility, your joints can move through a larger range of motion. You’ll be able to move through your day with less movement restrictions, and go deeper in your pliés with greater ease too!

2. Improves your posture and balance

We all know that the #desklife causes lots of shoulder tension and tight hips, hence resulting in the all-too-familiar postural slouch. Grayson Wickham, founder of Movement Vault explains, “When we spend time in suboptimal positions, certain muscles in our body — such as shoulders, back, core, and neck — actually shorten”. By improving flexibility, tight muscles can then lengthen and improve your body’s physical structure and balance!

3. Enhances mobility

Think better arm and shoulder extensions for tennis players, better shoulder rotations for swimmers, longer strides for runners. Did you know that mobility is closely linked to flexibility in that both affect the body’s ability to function properly? Stretching and improving flexibility can allow muscles to lengthen, relax and work through a greater range of motion. thus, help athletes perform better in workouts and in competition. This translates into being able to maximise your muscle engagement, getting more out of your workout each time!

4. Allows you to feel more free, open, relaxed and confident inside out

Lengthening your muscles through improved flexibility is a sure way to feel prouder and taller in your daily movements! Bonus, you may find it easier to unwind once your body feels more relaxed and free. As Joie says in 3 Reasons Why Stretching is the New Massage, a stretch class is more than just physical stretching. It’s your moment to “re-centre and recover mentally and emotionally”. Improving flexibility therefore helps you loosen up tight muscles, stretch your mind toward more positivity and equip you with the mood to seize the day. 

5. Gives you greater comfort in your general day

Because of the ability to sit in many different positions and deepen into those “shiok” stretches you otherwise cannot do with tight muscles, being flexible definitely gives you the luxury of being in greater control of your body and bend it to your will — literally!

Here’s the good news: improving your flexibility is 100% achievable and relatively easy. It’s really just about stretching and lengthening your muscles regularly. At our happy place, we like to do it while grooving to upbeat music and throw in a little dynamic burn. You know us, we never say no to a double whoop for self-care!

As Chef Gusteau says, “Anyone can cook”, we say “Anyone can stretch” – and should! Take it from us, flexibility is a marathon, not a sprint – get started and be consistent. We promise you’ll start to feel the magic within your body in no time!

The post 5 Reasons Why Flexibility Training Is Essential appeared first on WeBarre.

Currently expecting or have recently delivered, and wondering if WeBarre Pre & Post Natal classes are for you? Be inspired by new mama Anabel Chew and mama-to-be Pearl Grover, as they talk about how giving birth or being pregnant during a pandemic didn’t stop them from getting stronger.

The Non-stop Warrior

If you’ve been regularly taking our virtual classes, you would’ve seen our co-founder Anabel teaching regular WeBarre classes up to her 37th week of pregnancy. And if that’s not impressive enough, she returned to teaching just mere weeks after welcoming her lovely baby girl!

How does she do it? “Just the WeBarre workout!” says Anabel.

Finding prenatal pilates classes too slow for her and needing a higher “burn factor”, Anabel realized that the WeBarre workout was the perfect one for her all along. “It’s low-impact, easily modified for prenatal clients and always delivers on the burn,” she explains. “I love that I can continue staying active like I used to, by making some modifications.”

On top of teaching 6 to 8 classes weekly, Anabel also attends one WeBarre Pre & Post Natal class per week. “The classes work at a slower pace so that we can be more mindful when we move,” she says. “As our pregnant bodies changes almost every week, we are constantly adapting to these changes.”

The classes also focus on things like core activation and pelvic floor strengthening, which are crucial for delivery and recovery.

“My birth process was like a HIIT class – you need the stamina and strength to power through!” she says. The prenatal classes, like all other WeBarre classes, are great for building endurance. And it’s something that definitely came in handy for her 24-hour-long labour!

“Being bodily aware and understanding my body helped me gain confidence through my birthing journey and trust my body to deliver my baby safely and calmly – no screaming required!” she adds.

Immediately after giving birth and recovering in the ward, Anabel was already thinking about strengthening her pelvic floor muscles again. “As a result I was able to gain control of my pelvic floor and was mobile fairly quickly,” she says. “I remember 12 hours after giving birth I was already on my feet, out and about and drove myself home in the car!”

However, Anabel acknowledges that the return to fitness is still a journey that she’s on. “I’m definitely not where I used to be before giving birth. I’m learning to be patient with my body and take baby steps.”

Part of her recovery journey includes taking WeBarre Pre & Post Natal classes again, this time as a postpartum new mum. “Having to struggle with simple core exercises is a very humbling experience for me. But it also gave me a new perspective in understanding other pre and postnatal clients’ experiences too,” she says.

For ladies who have just given birth, Anabel has some recommendations. “Go slow, and come back with some WeBarre Pre & Post Natal classes first before resuming regular classes,” she says. “Your body has been through so much! The pace, muscle group focus and structure of these classes is imperative to help any postnatal mama slowly regain her fitness slowly and in a safe manner!”

The Virtual Devotee

For client Pearl Grover, her prenatal fitness journey has been entirely virtual since her pregnancy coincided with the circuit breaker.

“I heard about barre classes from friends who swear by it, but honestly did not think it would be as challenging as I’ve come to realise it is,” she recalls. “One of the first classes I tried was a private class with Linda. My arms, calves and glutes ached from the small but repetitive movements! I was pleasantly surprised.”

“So I signed up for the weekly unlimited virtual package when the circuit breaker was imposed and I haven’t looked back since,” she says.

Because she was still in her first trimester when the circuit breaker happened, Pearl began by taking both the WeBarre Pre & Post Natal and regular WeBarre classes. “I enjoyed the different pace that the classes offered,” she explains. “Now in my third trimester, I’m also grateful for the additional time I’m able to save by doing the classes online versus travelling to the studio.”

Even though Pearl’s workouts are limited to virtual classes, she has found tremendous benefits to attending them regularly. “I enjoyed the benefits of the posture and breath work that the instructors keep emphasising, and also the pelvic floor exercises that we do towards the end of each class,” she says. “I’m pretty bad at doing these on my own time!”

The carefully guided stretching that is done during the virtual classes is another great benefit for Pearl. The hormone relaxin increases during pregnancy. It’s meant to help the body accommodate a growing baby as well ease the delivery process. However, it also increases one’s flexibility and might lead to injury from over-stretching.

“The stretching sets during the prenatal classes provide helpful guidance as to what is safe to do throughout my pregnancy journey,” Pearl says.

Apart from the fitness benefits, the virtual WeBarre Pre & Post Natal classes also provide another undeniable perk: company!

“I’ve introduced a few friends to the prenatal classes and we hold each other accountable and motivate each other to attend the sessions,” she says. “Plus the instructors are always full of energy and enthusiastic – it’s infectious!”

The post Pregnant at the Barre: 2 Fit Mums Share Their Prenatal Fitness Journeys appeared first on WeBarre.

Circuit breaker might have made the world slow down, but for these ladies, it only made them go faster! Read on to find out what kept them motivated on their journey to hitting their 100 (and for some, 200) class milestones in just a few short months.

1. Make it convenient

When your workouts require zero travelling time, there’s literally no excuse not to sweat it out. “Prior to the circuit breaker and Covid-19, I was doing at most 3 classes in studio weekly,” says Winnie Low, who works in e-commerce and has already taken almost 200 virtual classes since April 2020. “Virtual has made it really convenient; I could literally just roll out of bed for a 7:30 am class which I probably wouldn’t be able to do otherwise.”

Valencia Kuo, a speech and drama instructor, also credits the convenience of virtual classes for helping her get over 100 classes under her belt. “Even if my outfits don’t match, it doesn’t matter!”

2. Get inspired by great instructors

For Priscillia Tan, a human resources manager, getting positive vibes from the smiles and energy of her favourite WeBarre instructors was what propelled her towards reaching her first 100 class milestone.

“It keeps me wanting to workout daily because I get to see them. I always feel good and energetic after class and all through the day,” she says. “I’m always excited 30 minutes before class because the email comes in to remind me it’s time to barre-burn!”

3. Celebrating the positive changes

Nothing keeps you feeling motivated more than seeing and feeling the results of your hard work take shape. Take it from Rita Chia, who not only hit 200 classes, but even went through the most recent round of WeBarre instructor training!

“Prior to CB, I only took one class per week and would feel sore the next couple of days,” she says. “Now, I am able to take daily classes, so I think my fitness level and strength have gone up. Also, some friends and colleagues say I look more toned now.”

“I could only manage 3 classes a week at first,” adds Winnie. “I gradually built up my endurance and it has since become a daily affair, sometimes twice a day for me. Also, I used to only do WeBarre Fundamentals because that’s all I could manage, then progressed to WeBarre Signature Multi-Levels. One day, instructor Gretel invited me to join her for Joie’s WeBarre HIIT and since then I’ve been hooked on HIIT classes!”

“I’ve definitely become more lean and toned,” says Priscillia. “My arms and calves were always toned because I used to do kickboxing, but now my friends are telling me that they are even more defined. So I’m really glad to see the transformation!”

4. Keep track of your progress

To stay accountable, Rita turned to social media. “During circuit breaker, I decided to keep a daily log of my daily classes on IG as a way to keep myself going,” she says. “I found that my body got accustomed, and I continued with it even without the daily IG posts!”

Valencia has a different way of tracking her progress: her body. “I find myself developing a higher pain tolerance and can now hold out longer in a tough sequence,” she says. “Working out has also helped me with acid reflux, I don’t get it when I barre! So now I don’t take long breaks from barre anymore.”

5. Make it a lifestyle

The best way to stay committed to fitness? “Get addicted to it!” says Li-Anne Fones, who hit 100 classes in less than five months of joining WeBarre. “It’s one fun-filled hour, and I get the satisfaction of having my workout done -sometimes still in my early-morning zombie state.”

“I have been really sedentary and unfit most of my adult life after entering the workforce,” Rita says. “To be able to find a workout that I enjoy, and to stick at it for so long, really makes me happy and satisfied.

“Barre with WeBarre is not just a simple workout to me, it’s also a lifestyle!” adds Lilian Zhao, who’s done over 200 classes. “The classes refresh me, and bring me positive energy throughout the day.”

The post How to Stay Committed to Your Workouts, According to These Barre Super-Achievers appeared first on WeBarre.

Incorporate these simple barre exercises as shown by our co-founder Linda and instructor Cherisa, and feel the #barreburn from the comforts of your home!

Plié to Lunge

Start in a 2nd position plié (wide-legged position, in turn, out, knees tracking over the toes) and pivot and rotate the hips towards your chair, sinking your outside knee to a 90 degree bend to fire up the quads and glutes. Pivot back into your starting position and repeat.

Plié to curtsey

From a 1st position plié (heels touching, feet fanned out, knees bent), curtsé into the furniture creating a diamond shape with your knees. Bring your outside arm to reach over the furniture for a side body stretch!

Knee to elbow

Facing into your chair or couch, extend one leg out, reaching it away from you, with your toes pointed. Soften the supporting leg and extend the opposite hand to the back leg away from you, keeping your hips squared to the floor. Reach both hand and foot away, then curl it into the centre.

Plié in relevé

Holding onto a chair, zip your heels to touch and come up to your relevé (tippy toes) in a 1st position plié. Extend your knees to stretch up to the ceiling, hand to follow in front of you to overhead above you.

Modified pushup

Leaning onto a table or couch, set up in a modified pushup. Squeeze your elbows into your ribs as you seesaw down to the furniture, firing up your triceps. Lift one leg up for added intensity and weight into your upper body. Switch legs after 10 reps.

The post 5 Moves to Get Your Barre Fix at Home appeared first on WeBarre.