Although widely known overseas, barre classes aren’t hugely understood here in Dunedin. Even after 6 years in the business, we know it can be tricky to try and explain to friends what we do!

Here are a few ways you can tell your friends what Barre Base offers!

What is barre, and how do you pronounce it?

The short answer

A fusion of Pilates and Strength Training, using a handrail or bar for balance! Barre is the French spelling of bar, and it’s said as just that – bar!

The long answer

Typically, barre workouts are strength-based workouts that focus on moving with strength, length and grace. The big misconception is that they're a dance class – instead, the classes focus on body-weight strengthening exercises that dancers would do to gain better strength. This concept has been transformed into the fitness world and has empowered non-dancers to gain the benefits of this practice too. The barre allows us to feel more stable and in control, while working toward moving with good posture and alignment.

“Barre fuses Pilates, strength training, and mobility work — and certainly does not require any dance experience.”

The beauty of having the ballet barre to hold onto is that we can move into postures with an extra level of support. Holding onto the barre allows you to feel more confident as you move, allows you to stand taller, and can support you to stretch with more ease.

Tell me about Barre Base?

As a studio, Barre Base brings their own style too. We have created a barre class that is suitable for the masses. Most of our clients have never danced — yet our classes are designed to give clients the feeling of length and strength that dancers possess, without the need for twirling or jumping or excessively pointing your toes.

We bring a big focus on breath, core and pelvic floor to all classes – which is why we love the blend of Pilates and Yoga that Barre Base offers.

"The strength training of Pilates is vital for our bodies to be strong and healthy, yet the yoga brings a focus on mobility, relaxation and an escape from our busy lives."

Beyond barre classes

At Barre Base, our classes have diversified to meet the needs of our clients and community!

Within the scope of barre classes we offer:

Beginner’s Barre
A slow and simple introductory class that focuses heavily on technique. Clients will really feel the burn as we will spend time in each posture to allow you to tune into how you should be moving, and what you should be feeling. This class is foundational, but brings a great challenge for new (and existing) members.

Gentle Barre
A combination of barre strengthening work with stretch. The class weaves stretching, breathing and self-care into your favourite barre moves. We take a slow and steady approach to our barre movements, with fewer repetitions and more time for working on mobility and mindfulness. Gentle Barre is perfect for those who want to feel the heat, but in a way that is less repetitive on their joints. The pace of the class allows time for mind-muscle connection, and is fantastic for injury-recovery, or those with joint pain.

Barre Sweat
A cardio-infused barre class for our adrenaline junkies! This class is fast paced, and offers a few more advanced movements for members who have been coming to class for a while. It’s great fun, the music is loud and you will SWEAT!

Yoga Barre
This class is a fusion of our classic barre classes, with yoga. Although all barre classes have elements of yoga, this class combines barre moves for your upper body, thighs and glutes with athletic, vinyasa-style yoga for flexibility, balance and energy. With a combined focus on mindfulness and strength, we work on toning your deep core while keeping your mind focused and relaxed.

But Barre Base also offers mobility and yoga classes:

To compliment the heat the barre classes bring, we really encourage clients to slow down, tune in and tune up! Many people come to Barre Base solely for our stretch classes, and they hugely compliment other exercise that people may do week to week.

Stretch and Lengthen
Stretch and Lengthen caters to athletes wanting to increase their mobility, and those who may lead a more sedentary lifestyle due to their work or certain circumstances! This class combines deep stretching, breath and myofascial release. This class uses yoga principles to combine stretching with breath and mindfulness in order to effectively stretch overworked or chronically tight muscles.

Self Care Sunday
In Self Care Sunday, we take the time to tune into the body at the end of the week. Finish your week with 60 minutes of barre, yoga flow, and stretch in the ultimate combination of strength-building and relaxation. Every class moves through barre sequences followed by breath-centred yoga flow and finishes with deep stretching, self-massage, and guided rest. Learn body awareness and take the time to notice how your body is moving in space. This foundational class sets up our clients for the week to come.

Men’s Yoga and Mobility Class
Our weekly Men's class offers a safe space for men to focus on flexibility and moving well. There is no need to have any experience in yoga or barre to attend this men's class. All levels are welcome and encouraged.

Vinyasa Flow
As our clients grow stronger and more confident in yoga-based movement, we want to encourage them to take their practice to another level and further explore their strength and mindfulness. Vinyasa Flow offers this challenge. This class is constructed around surya namaskar sun salutation flows that are designed to energise and wake up your body. This class is designed to build heat in the body, with a strong focus on simultaneously gaining strength and mobility.

Who comes to the Barre Base studio?

The client base at Barre Base is diverse. Men and women from all walks of life, all ages and stages! The beauty of our diverse schedule is that we can offer something that suits a range of people and abilities.

What do you need to bring?

Barre Base has yoga mats here for anyone to borrow, but if you have your own - do bring it! Bring a water bottle to sip on through the class, and just wear nice stretchy gear that you feel comfortable in!

How much does it cost?

We have drop in prices of $16 (or $14 for students) and a First Timer’s Deal that is $55 for 4 weeks. This is a great way to test the waters and try all of the classes we have on offer. You will figure our what classes gel with you pretty quickly!

We have lots of other payment options too if you enjoy the classes. We take eftpos at the studio.

How do I book?

Here with our website timetable. Book in, and then pay at the studio!