The Bar Method Review

The Bar Method is a comprehensive workout that is based on techniques developed by German ballet dancer Lotte Berk in the 1940s-50s. Though it's also been around for a while, the Bar Method continues to garner notice and devotees thanks to mentions in magazines that celebs like Drew Barrymore, Denise Richards and Lisa Rinna are fans of Bar Method classes to keep in shape. Bar Method studios are found in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Washington and Vancouver - but if that's not where you are, you can get the workout with the DVD series Bar Method Body 2-Pack - a Fat Free DVD and a Designer Sculpting DVD - which do not require a dance bar in your home.

The Bar Method is designed to stretch and strengthen every major muscle group in the body using the body's own weight with a blend of interval training (burn fat), isometrics (shape muscles), and dance training (elongate muscles) - along with some principles of physical therapy thrown in to protect against strain and overuse injuries to the joints and back. Though it's rooted in ballet and dance training, worry not - dance experience is not necessary to perform the moves and benefit from the workout. The aim of the Bar Method is to make you leaner by burning fat, and firmer and more sculpted thanks to its shaping and elongating strength training exercises, which also contribute to better posture and improved body alignment. A workout typically encompasses free weights and push-ups, legs and abdominal work on the ballet bar, and core work and stretching on mats. Many of the movements involve holding body weight in position while performing small, controlled moves to increase strength and flexibility, which many practitioners find requires a good deal of concentration and really amps up the sweat factor.

If this sounds similar to Pilates to you, you're not alone. But the Bar Method people insist that their workout is more intense and effective than Pilates, because Pilates works the small muscle groups while the Bar Method works the large muscle groups, which revs the metabolism higher and nets greater muscle density. In layman's terms: it's a more intensive workout.
Will you lose weight practicing the Bar Method? If you're adhering to a healthy diet and watching your calories: Absolutely. And you'll tone up nicely as well. The only downside: limited availability of (and priciness) of actual classes.