Here at Barre Base, we often receive feedback about how our classes have helped our clients with their running training. So, we thought we would share some of the reasons why our running clients gain such great results!

Targets muscles that running does not

Runners often end up at the physio due to issues caused by weak hip abductors and hip rotators — the very muscles that we hone throughout our class. Hello, side leg lifts and clams!

Increasing strength in your abductors and glute medius muscles helps you learn to control your hips and prevent your knees from caving when you're out for a run. In class, we encourage you to focus on keeping your knees tracking over your toes and to not allow the inner thighs to cave. This is especially helpful when we’re running downhill.

Working on your glute medius muscles can protect runners from enduring common injuries such as hip impingement, ITB syndrome, or just simple hip, knee, and ankle pain.

“Barre workouts strengthen your legs as a runner, 360 degrees.”

Barre workouts strengthen every area of your leg and glutes, from quads to hips, glutes, to calves. You will run stronger, more efficiently, and with greater endurance.

Increases your foot and ankle strength

Foot strength is probably not something you’ve considered. Not often do we hear somebody say, “I am off to the gym to train feet.”

Foot stability and strength is inherent in a barre class and is very transferable to running. Often in that releve position, we’re forced to stretch and hold our feet in challenging positions. When we are in releve, we learn to work hard to keep balanced and to weight bear correctly through the feet.

Learning where the weight should correctly bear through your feet is vital for runners, especially those who have a tendency to roll their ankles!

Increased core strength

Barre classes are great for core strength, which helps keep your body in line while you run. A strong, solid centre helps propel you forward while keeping your middle relatively still so you're not rotating side to side which can increase the wear and tear on your joints and tendons.

For those who have been to a barre class, you know how much we focus on the core. It’s not just about doing as many sit-ups as possible though, it’s about learning to move your body while controlling your core. We often remind you to tuck your tailbone and pull your belly button back toward your spine. These deep core muscles are vital for creating strong runners.

Barre Classes are low impact

Barre classes are low impact, giving your muscles a chance to strengthen without placing excess stress on the joints.

"Rather than pounding the pavement day after day, take a step back and focus in on strength."

If you’ve had a running injury too and need an alternative (we know how obsessional runners become) barre is a great swap to aid your recovery. Just be sure to let the instructor know before class, and we can offer a few suggestions or swaps.

It forces you to stretch

Stretching is a major part of each class, another area that many runners neglect! Barre is ideal for runners who need to lengthen their hamstrings, open their hips and increase overall mobility. So many of our runners have tight hips, so barre classes are a great way to open those hips through strength and stretching exercises simultaneously.

We spend at least 10 minutes stretching throughout each class. If mobility is a huge issue for you and 10 minutes is not enough, get along to our Stretch and Lengthen class.

Increases mental strength

Barre workouts will test and improve your mental strength. We know that that final set of pulses can be really tough, but with the music and teacher pushing you through, it’s easy to gain that determination to push until the finish. This mental strength helps you when you’re running. I am sure that hill ahead of you requires less glute power than our seated plie track!

A place for everyone

Remember, barre classes are for everyone! We promise you that it is nothing like a scene from Black Swan. Most of our clients have never danced before. It’s accessible for all ages and stages, and both men and women. Every single person can modify the workout to their comfort or intensify to their liking. So do not be shy! There are no tutus or pointe shoes in this class!

Testimonial from runner, Shauna Pali

"I came to Barre Base with a friend who was also a runner. She loved the style of the class likening it to gym classes, but with a bit more. After about 10 classes, I really noticed a difference. I perceived it to be a lot more like a dance class, but was totally wrong! I love the strength and flexibility that I feel transitioning into my running. My niggles are no longer existent!

The class allows me to work on my flexibility and strength at the same time. I was immediately aware of the weaknesses I have, and these corresponded to what the Physio had been working on with me. I love the idea that barre acts as a preventative to injury rather than a treatment of. In such a short time I have noticed the benefits.

With running hours every week, I found it hard to keep on top of my core, hip alignment, glutes and lower back. Barre works on all this in almost every exercise. The focus is never on how many or how heavy but on the technique. I love that there is always a variety.

The class flies by, and beats an hour at home on my own doing exercises, or struggling away at the gym. You work the core, glutes, legs, arms and back through a series of different movements. There is always a greater challenge for those who are strong in that area, or an option to back off if you are weaker there. The music works well with each movement but does not run the workout. It’s not like a dance class at all, but the beats keep you in time and make it fun.

Anyone can come to barre, it is the best possible combination of anything I have done to enhance my competitive running - Pilates, core, weights, yoga and dance. With additional classes such as stretch, cardio and beginner, there is definitely something for everyone. I also like that not one class is the same, but works all areas of the body equally!"