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Break a Sweat: Try A Barre-Inspired Workout At Home
This week’s shelter-in-place-approved fitness routine can be completed in 30 minutes or less, no bulky gym equipment required
To mix things up in your living-room fitness routine, take a break from full-body exercise and, instead, lean on the Barre method to target specific muscle groups. This sequence, from Stephanie Larson, an instructor at TruFusion Washington, requires only a chair. Shoot for 20 reps of each exercise; you can follow along with this Instagram video.
Wide second plie
Stand with your feet wide, toes pointing out 45 degrees. Hold your hands comfortably in front of your chest, and bend your knees, lowering your hips deeply so your thighs are parallel with the floor. Make sure to keep your back straight, shoulders over hips and your weight back in your heels. Then rise back up, straightening the legs completely.
Wide second plie pulse
Lower down into your wide second plie arms extended overhead. Add a small lift (about an inch) and lower to pulse in your lowest range of motion.
Wide second to alternate lunge
Lower down into your wide second plie with arms extended to either side. Rotate your body to the right, lifting your left heel and shifting into a lunge with arms outstretched in front of you. Rotate back to center and return to starting position. Repeat by rotating your body to the left side.
Lunge
Step your right foot forward. Lower hips toward the floor and bend both knees (almost at 90-degree angles). The back knee should come close but never touch the ground. Your front knee should be directly over the ankle, and the back knee should be pointing down toward the floor. Then rise back up, straightening the legs completely.
Arabesque lunge
Lower down into your lunge. Rise back up and lift your back leg into an arabesque or straight rear-leg extension. Gently land back in your lunge, bending both knees.
Rear attitude
Extend your left leg behind you, hip turned out slightly and a 90-degree bend in your knee. With your supporting leg slightly bent, tap your left shin to the back of your right calf, then lift behind you.
Pulse
From your rear attitude, add a small lift (about an inch) and lower to pulse in your highest range of motion.
Repeat lunge, arabesque and attitude on the opposite side.
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