10 Fat-Burning Barre Workouts for Beginners

These fat-burning barre workouts for beginners are great before almost all of them require no equipment at all! An ordinary chair is all you need for most!

Have you always wanted to try Barre, but the thought of doing a class with all those fit girls in their leg warmers and sticky socks knocks you out of your comfort zone?

I feel ya, girl.

There was a barre studio across from us when we were living in Austin, and I used to walk by and see them doing all kinds of crazy stuff in there. Talk about being intimidated. I wasn’t walking in there to give that a go anytime soon, I’ll tell you that much.

It can be daunting to try new things, especially when it comes to working out.

Nobody wants to be the one flailing around on the mat without a clue what they are doing while the girl next to do is just picture perfect ballerina (or yogi, kickboxer, etc. – they all apply).

On top of that, barre classes and studios can also be pretty expensive. It costs money to get a rockin’ ballerina body!

It’s also time-consuming to have to load your workout stuff, get to the gym, do the class, then haul your sweaty self home to take a shower.

I’m beginning to sound like I’m making a LOT of excuses for working out, right?

It’s just that working out from home is so much better! You don’t have to worry about the hole in your leggings, your undone hair, or how graceless you think you look while doing pliés pulses or arabesques.

Fortunately, there are tons of barre videos online to help you get started. Here are 10 of our favorites that will help strengthen, lengthen, and tone that glorious body of yours.

Tutu is optional.

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1. Barre – Full-Length 30-Minute Cardio Ballet Workout

Jessica Smith has a number of free workout videos available, and this is one of her best Barre videos to get that heart rate up! The moves are deceptively simple, but they really burn the calories.

She includes encouraging reminders that you don’t have to be perfect to get a great workout in, which the perfectionists out there will find incredibly helpful.

The best part of the video is her rolly polly little dog Peanut in the background, who is probably the cutest, laziest workout partner I’ve ever seen.

You can also watch the video on YouTube here.

2. Fitness Blender 39-Min Barre Workout From Home

The videos that Fitness Blender put out are always done in the same format; they tell you exactly what equipment you’ll need before the workout, then demonstrate each move that you’ll be doing right before you do it. This format makes it an excellent workout source for beginners and advanced Barre aficionados alike.

Plus, if you’re totally tired of the canned electronica that is so prevalent in workout videos today, this video doesn’t have music at all. You can work out to your Tuvan throat singing or Wayne Newton free from judgment.

They also have a really great, 10-minute abs video that I absolutely love!

Listen to whatever makes you happy, just keep dancing!

You can also watch the video on YouTube here.

3. Calorie-Blasting Barre Workout You Can Do AT HOME by HolabirdSports

This workout gives you a feel for what a studio Barre class is all about, while still giving you home fitness options to incorporate, like chairs and even soup cans!

This is a fat-busting workout that will leave you breathing heavy, but the instructor gives clear instructions that are easy to follow. It might be a bit challenging for beginners because of the intensity, but everyone can do the moves without injury.

If you’re new and out of shape, take it slow with this one. The instructor is also super perky and energetic, so if always-smiling, perma-cheery people annoy the bejeezus out of you, try another video. 

You can also watch the video on YouTube here.

4. Cardio Barre Workout for the Best Full-Body Burn Ever by Class Fitsugar

Trying to get fit in between classes, during a work break, or when the kids are napping? This quick 10-minute video packs it in and gives you a full-body workout in the shortest time possible.

The moves are quick but low impact, and it has a nifty countdown clock that lets you know how much time you have left. As a commenter pointed out, “As a lazy blob of a human being, can I just say how much I appreciate having a countdown in the corner so I know how long until I’m allowed to die.”

I feel you, YouTube user.

If you are new to Barre, I suggest you watch the video all the way through one time before trying the workout.

You can also watch the video on YouTube here.

5. Classic Mini Ballet Barre Workout by Lazy Dancer Tips

This scrumptious Barre workout has more ballet than most. The piano music almost makes you feel like you’re in an authentic ballet class.

You’re quickly given a demonstration of each exercise before you begin the workout, which is helpful because she uses ballet terms for everything. If you have no idea what “allonge´” or “cambre´” mean going in, you will when you’re done.

Get your “Black Swan” on.

You can also watch the video on YouTube here.

6. BarreConcept ® – Ultimate 20 Minute Barre Exercise Workout

It’s nice to see normal-sized women in workout videos. It’s encouraging and lets people know that anyone can get fit doing Barre!

This “real-feel” video has a hip instructor with an adorable English accent, and the music is wicked cool. You get a great barre workout with a studio vibe that doesn’t cost a penny.

Please note: This video is an excerpt from a DVD, so there is no warm-up or cool down. Make sure to stretch and do a few warm-up exercises before you begin!

You can also watch the video on YouTube here.

7. SheKnows Fitness Studio: 20 Minute Barre Workout

This video gives you a great workout without making you feel like you’re going to hurt too much the next day. It has you use a fitness ball, but if you don’t have one, ain’t no big thang.

If you need a fast-paced video, you probably won’t find this very satisfying. Beginners will appreciate the instructor taking her time and explaining the moves fully.

It’s also got a countdown timer for those of us who need to know how long we have until the torture is over.

You can also watch the video on YouTube here.

8. Cardio Booty Barre Sculpt by Betty Rocker

The cardio moves here will really make your booty burn! There are lots of lunges and deep pliés done at a quick pace that will keep your heart rate up and your muscles engaged.

The instructor also has a mirror behind her, which makes it easier to see what she’s doing from both the front and the back. She also makes you feel like she’s struggling through the workout with you, which I find encouraging.

Is it just me, or was anyone else disappointed that she didn’t use Ozzy Osbourne or Motley Crue as the background music?

You can also watch the video on YouTube here.

9. 30-Minute ‘Knee Friendly’ Total Body Barre Workout by Jessica Smith

Do your knees hate all the pliés every Barre video seems to have? Jessica Smith and Peanut are back for a knee-friendly cardio workout that will have you sweating without the joint pain.

All you need is a little floor space, a chair or countertop, and a couple of small weights. Don’t be fooled by how easy this workout looks; it will kick your booty. Your muscles will be screaming when you’re done.

Has Jessica checked Peanut’s pulse lately? He’s clearly not enthused about this workout.

You can also watch the video on YouTube here. 

10. An Intro to Floor Barre with Ariel by Qinetic Live

Feeling lazy or need a non-load bearing working today? This terrific class will give you everything you need, from light cardio similar to a Pilates workout to intense muscle toning exercises.

You’ll also get an amazing core workout since many of the floor exercises force you to engage the stomach muscles in a way that standing exercises don’t.

My legs and booty get sore just thinking about doing this class!

You can also watch the video on YouTube here.

If you enjoyed this article on fat-burning barre workouts for beginners or have any questions, please leave them in the comment section below!