Pure Barre Exercise For Love Handles

by Jaime Young 0

The popular workout Pure Barre has a fresh philosophy on fitness, and it involves more than just toning the tush. The 55-minute class fuses key elements of ballet, Pilates, and weightlifting. Through use of a special barre and small isometric movements, the intense class sessions work to burn fat, tighten abs, and firm arms, glutes, and thighs. The result is a graceful, challenging workout designed to build a lean dancer's body. If you can't get to a class, we've brought one of the studio's most effective moves to you. The burn starts with your seat and then works deep into the love handles.

The Setup

• Begin by lying down with your belly on the mat, toes together, and knees apart.
• Ground your palms on the floor, placing them on top of one another with your forehead resting on the back of the hands.

Leg Lifts

• Squeeze your seat and lower back, floating your toes straight up toward the ceiling and lifting your knees off of the ground.
• Take 10-15 lifts with your toes aiming for the sky.

Upper-Body Lift

• With your legs still floating off of the ground, lift your forearms up in one motion.
• Keep your back and seat engaged while you lift your upper and lower body together. Do this 10-15 times.

See the bonus move after the break.

Active Stretch

• Stay lifted as you extend your arms back behind you to grab hold of your ankles.
• Relax your shoulders and stay active in the stretch for 10 counts. Keep your whole body engaged, holding your highest position for the best stretch.

Source: Pure Barre instructor Juliann Witt at Pure Barre San Francisco, CA