7 Barre Exercises to Rock Your Core

A toned and strong core never seems to go out of style. And rightfully so! A strong core isn’t just a pretty picture – it’s also imperative for overall physical health. And luckily, there are so many barre core workouts to help you rock some solid barre abs.

Barre core workouts are surprisingly challenging. If you don’t feel a burn within the first few reps, you’re likely not doing the exercises correctly. Seriously, your abs will burnnnnnn . . . but in the best way possible!

If you don’t feel a burn within the first few reps, you’re likely not doing the exercises correctly.

Because when it comes to killer core exercises, there’s nothing better than a barre core workout to develop some serious barre abs.

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Practice These 7 Barre Abs Exercises for a Killer Barre Core Workout:

Luckily, you don’t need a ballet barre to practice barre – especially not barre core workouts because the majority of these exercises are practiced on the floor.

So grab a yoga mat or a rug and get ready to develop some amazing barre abs.
 

1. Plié Oblique Crunches

This seemingly simple exercise targets your “side abs” or obliques from a traditional ballet position with a little twist.

Let’s try it:

Start standing with your feet wider than hip-distance apart in a standard ballet second position If you’d like, hold two small weights in your hands. You can use standard dumbbells or get creative and hold water jugs or milk gallons Turn your heels in and your toes out to create external rotation in your thighs Bend your knees and lower your upper body into a squat position (or a ballet plié) Reach your arms out wide by your sides so that your hands are in line with your shoulders Inhale to elongate your spine and exhale to side bend your torso toward the right Reach your right arm toward the floor and stretch your left arm toward the sky Return your torso back to neutral and repeat going the opposite way Continue alternating side bends for about 10 to 30 repetitions

2. Side Plank Pulses

Another target for your obliques, this barre core workout also tones your upper and lower body while making your abs burn. It’s a win-win all around!

Let’s try it:

Start lying on your right side Place your right forearm on the ground Align your elbow underneath your shoulder and turn your hand to face toward the left side of your mat so your forearm is parallel to the short edge of your mat Stack your left leg over your right and squeeze your legs toward each other Place your left hand on your hip and cinch in around your waistline Press firmly into your right forearm and your feet to lift your hips off the floor into a side plank Pulse lifting your hips up farther away from the floor and lowering them back down to their original position in your side plank Continue to pulse for about 10 to 30 repetitions Stop and hold at the top for about 10 to 30 seconds Slowly release and switch sides

3. Genie Abs

Feel the real barre abs burn with this magical core exercise.

Let’s try it:

Start seated with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor roughly hip-distance apart Take hold behind your knees and lean your torso backwards slightly to create a C-curve in your spine and feel your abs really “turn on” Hollow out your belly and draw your navel toward your spine Release your hands and stack your forearms on top of each other so that your right fingers touch your left elbow and vice versa Align your elbows with your shoulders and keep them there Lift your right foot off the floor and keep your knee bent as you draw your shin parallel to the mat Twist your torso toward the right to touch your left elbow to your right knee Return back to your starting position with a C-curve in your spine and repeat, twisting the opposite way Continue alternating your twists for about 10 to 30 repetitions

 
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4. Hip Lifts

When it comes to barre core workouts, this one may look super simple but it is deceptively hard. And while you may not enjoy it in the moment, you’ll thank us later when you’re rocking your killer barre abs.

Let’s try it:

Start lying down on your back with a ball, block, or pillow between your thighs Draw your legs up so that your hips are at a 90-degree angle and your shins are parallel to the floor Rest your arms by your sides with your palms facing down Pulse your legs toward each other to squeeze the prop between your legs twice Then, without using momentum, keep the same shape in your legs and use your abs to ever so slightly lift your hips off the floor Slowly lower your hips with control and repeat about 10 to 30 times

5. X Abs

Turn up the heat in your abs with this classic barre core workout.

Let’s try it:

Lie down on your back with your arms and legs splayed out wide into the shape of an X Cinch in around your waistline and draw your navel to your spine to keep your core strong and active Simultaneously roll your torso up off the floor as you lift your right leg toward the sky Reach your left arm to meet your right foot Slowly, with control, roll back down to the mat and repeat the criss-cross crunch on the opposite side Continue alternating sides for about 10 to 30 repetitions

 
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6. Scissor Kicks

Ohhh that classic barre abs burn of the scissor kicks. We promise the results are worth it!

Let’s try it:

Lie on your back and draw your knees in toward your chest Wrap your arms around your legs and lift your head and shoulder blades up off the floor Keep your upper body lifted and interlace your fingers behind the back of your head. Keep your elbows open out wide toward the sides of your mat Stretch your legs up toward the sky and point your toes Keeping your upper body lifted, lower your right leg to hover above the floor Return your right leg back up toward the sky and stretch your left leg out long to hover above the floor Continue to scissor kick your legs for about 10 to 30 repetitions

7. First Position Kick Outs

This is another barre core workout that doesn’t look like much, but we promise, it is!

Let’s try it:

Start lying down on your back with your arms relaxed by your sides Press your lower back into the floor and tighten your entire abdominal wall Lift your feet off the floor to create a 90-degree angle at your hips with your shins parallel to the mat Draw your heels to touch and point your toes out into a ballet first position Energetically draw your inner thighs together Keep your feet as they are and press your heels forward in space to straighten your legs and let them hover above the floor Draw your legs back to your starting position Repeat about 10 to 30 times

 
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Own Your Barre Abs With This Killer Barre Core Workout

Barre abs are desirable because they’re toned, strong, and extremely functional.

Our core is the very center of our bodies so it helps us to support every single movement we make. It supports our lower back and improves balance and stability. Really, a strong core is so valuable to our overall health.

Barre abs are desirable because they’re toned, strong, and extremely functional.

And while core exercises come in many different shapes and forms, barre core workouts might be some of the most beneficial for building real core strength and stability. Just because they appear to be simple, doesn’t mean that they don’t create incredible results.

So give this barre core workout a try and see for yourself!
 
 

Ready to Rock Your Own Barre Abs?

Practice Barre Core with Kelly Richardson on YA Classes!