Start Slow: How to Ease Into Xtend Barre Workouts
If you ever feel like you’re struggling to stay on count during an Xtend Barre workout, don’t give up — just slow down! “But will I still get results if I do Xtend Barre slower?”
The answer: Yes!
It’s perfectly fine to do Xtend Barre at a slower pace. As long as you’re challenging yourself, you’ll reap the benefits.
And slowing down your tempo, especially as a beginner, can help you achieve better results over time.
Why Doing Xtend Barre Slower Can Be Better
If you’ve ever felt pressure to “keep up” during Xtend Barre, you’re not alone, says Sarah Brannon, Xtend Barre trainer.
“I think people are just afraid that they’re going to miss the benefits of the workout. They don’t want to get left behind,” she says.
But she encourages her clients, especially beginners, to avoid rushing through a workout.
It starts with good form
“It’s better to go slow in the beginning because mastering your foot position and increasing your range of motion will serve you in the long run,” she says. “You’ll have the correct foundation to then speed it up.”
Move too quickly, and you could develop improper form, which could shortchange your results and even lead to injury.
Plus, speed isn’t the goal for most Xtend Barre workouts.
Yes, doing the movements faster will raise your heart rate and offer more cardio benefits.
But Brannon would rather see her clients — even those capable of going faster — focus on their range of motion rather than quickness.
“A better way of getting more out of your workout is to increase the depth of all of your movements,” she says. “If you’re holding a pulse in a plié and you’re used to sitting up high, I want you to go further down and then pulse. That can be a lot more effective than going faster.”
What Kind of Results Can you Expect from Xtend Barre?
Even when performed at a slower pace, Xtend Barre workouts offer numerous benefits.
1. Low-impact
Nearly all Xtend Barre movements are low-impact, which makes them accessible to people who are unable to jump.
Barre workouts use your body weight and minimal equipment to strengthen the entire body while improving balance and flexibility.
The subtle, seemingly small movements fire up hard-to-target muscles in the core, glutes, and legs that provide stability and help with injury prevention.
2. Strength, but not size
There are also visible results. For those seeking muscle definition but not significant hypertrophy (muscle growth), Xtend Barre is the ideal workout.
“I’ve noticed that my glutes, core, and hamstrings have toned up and are more sculpted compared to when I was just weightlifting,” Brannon says.
And barre butt? It’s definitely a thing. “I think that’s why people love this specific workout,” Brannon says. “It’s so glute-focused.”