Win-Win: Barre Meets Low-Impact Cardio

Health club operators and managers witness the immense popularity of group exercise classes year after year, which helps attract and retain members. With new formats, additional accessories and seemingly endless innovation, these mass sweat sessions continue to draw raving fans who value the variety, instruction and camaraderie.

Over the past few years, fusion classes that combine two or more modalities (such as yoga and Pilates, or cycle and core) have proliferated as a way to multitask, maintain interest and maximize ROI. At the same time, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) has become a dominant modality for group exercise and small group training (SGT), as exercisers demand exceptional efficiency and effectiveness. While HIIT is everywhere, it’s not for everyone, and not for every day.

A new fusion modality that is winning fast fans combines the strengthening and lengthening of traditional barre routines with the cardio and fun of a trampoline. Fitness trampolines, equipped with a special barre, offer a novel platform for exercisers to blend low-impact, but high intensity, cardio with strength drills, core work and active flexibility. 

Unlike some HIIT workouts, these cardio trampoline-barre regimens are easier on the joints, thereby offering broad appeal to exercisers of all ages and fitness levels, from novices to advanced. Beginners can rely more on the barre for balance and extra stability, while experienced exercisers can boost intensity with higher jumps and a faster pace. The workouts can be easily regressed and progressed to suit individual needs and preferences. 

Plus, rebounding on a trampoline adds an element of fun, without the repetitive pounding, that other modalities simply can’t deliver. Additional benefits include: 

• Increased cardiovascular endurance
• Improved circulation and lymphatic flow
• Elevated metabolism
• Stronger musculoskeletal system via increased G-force
• Better balance
• Higher endorphins
• Fun

And barre exercises are more challenging on the trampoline due to the instability of the mat. With a focus on precise, small movements; isometric contractions; and repeated pulses and squeezes to achieve muscle fatigue and failure, barre workouts also provide:

• Greater muscular strength and endurance 
• Enhanced flexibility
• Better posture
• Improved core strength
• Mind-body connection

Taken together, combined rebounding and barre sessions are total-body exercise powerhouses.

Benefits from cardio trampoline-barre classes aren’t limited to exercisers. Health clubs that implement these innovative workouts can experience higher group exercise participation, increased adherence and retention, a popular point of differentiation from competitors, and a potential new revenue stream. 

Tracey Mallett is the creator of bootybarre BOUNCE, a JumpSport Fitness Premier Partner, and can be reached at tracey@thebootybarre.com. For more information, visit jumpsport.com/bootybarre.