Is Barre Is Having a Bit of a Comeback? (But Why That’s Not Actually the Point)

Like fashion, fitness is cyclical. 

One minute it’s all about lifting heavy. The next, Pilates is the golden child — all slow, controlled movement and beautifully curated studios. You know I think both deserve their moment. Strength training is phenomenal for bone density and long-term health, and Pilates has helped people reconnect with movement in a calmer, more intentional way.

But quietly, almost cheekily, I can feel barre stepping back into the room.

Think of it as Pilates’ slightly meaner little sister. Still precise. Still controlled. But with a bit more spice, a bit more shake, and a little more carefree.

And yet — here’s the serious bit — the comeback itself isn’t what matters. Every study on exercise ever done has concluded that we stick with what we enjoy. 

Trends Don’t Build Habits. Joy Does.

One of the biggest myths in the fitness world is that you need to be doing whatever is currently “best.” The perfect protocol. The hottest class. The method everyone else is talking about.  This was great when I first started out as barre was having its time in the sun.  But the last 4 years it’s been cast out in the cold. 

Consistency doesn’t come from pressure. It comes from pleasure.  My members can attest to this. 

If you dread it, you won’t do it.
If you feel judged, you won’t come back.
If it doesn’t fit your life — your real, messy, busy, midlife life — it won’t last.

What actually builds a habit is finding movement that makes you feel good in your body and calmer in your head. Movement that leaves you feeling stronger, not smaller.

For some women, that’s lifting heavy. For others, it’s Pilates. And for many, barre sits beautifully in the middle — low impact but deeply challenging, focused yet fun, structured yet joyful.

Barre Isn’t Just Ballet Arms Anymore

My barre isn’t what people assume.   Yes, there’s still the signature burn — the tiny pulses that wake up muscles you forgot existed. But modern barre has evolved. It blends strength work, mobility, balance, and cardio in a way that feels accessible but seriously effective.

It’s not about chasing aesthetic perfection. It’s about building useful strength — the kind that supports your joints, protects your back, and keeps you moving well as life gets busier and bodies change.

And perhaps most importantly, it’s a practice so you can start at any level.  You don’t need to feel “fit enough” to start. You just need to begin.  My Start Where You Are Series is the perfect place to pitch up and begin. 

A Medicine Cabinet, Not a One-Size-Fits-All Plan

Here’s where I think the industry sometimes gets it wrong: no single modality is the answer to everything.

Optimal health doesn’t come from one magic workout. It comes from variety — like a medicine cabinet of movement options you can reach for depending on what your body needs that day.

Some days you might want barre for strength and stability.
Some days you might crave mobility or stretching.
Some days you might feel like picking up heavier weights and feeling powerful.

That’s why my platform isn’t just barre.  I worry all the time that people aren’t getting the message:

 There are serious strength training classes called Upbeat Lift. 

There are mobility classes that help you move better. 

There are shorter workouts for days when time is tight and you still want to feel  like you’re moving. 

There are low / no equipment workouts for when you’re travelling. 

Hell, there’s even a Lower Back Series because, well, we are of that age….

My mission has always been to help the glorious yet underserved midlife woman.  The goal isn’t to make you fit into a trend.  The goal is to help movement fit into your life.

The Real Comeback Story

So yes — barre is, I think/ hope, starting to have a bit of a moment again.  And I love seeing it recognised for what it really is: smart, effective, and deeply empowering.

But the real comeback isn’t about a workout style.

It’s about women reconnecting with movement in a way that feels joyful rather than punishing. It’s about letting go of the idea that exercise has to be extreme to be effective. It’s about building strength, confidence, and energy in a way that actually lasts.

Because when you find something that makes you smile while you’re doing it — not just after — that’s when exercise stops being another thing on your to-do list and starts becoming part of who you are.

And that’s the kind of fitness that never goes out of fashion.