I Made My Boyfriend Try Barre And Here's What Happened

45 minutes of “I’m NOT shaking”

He had a rough understanding of barre. Well, he knew it was exercise and how to pronounce it (unlike a certain PM... Ahem, ‘bar-ray’). And while he was physically prepared (in socks, performance shorts, and a tee), he mentally was not. Two minutes in, “You struggling?” I ask. Reluctantly, he musters a cheeky “no...”. Now picture an emoji whose eyeballs dart from left to right. That’s him.

Barre – traditionally a hybrid of ballet-inspired postures, targeted toning moves, and isolated pilates pulses – is HARD. Don’t let its ‘low impact’ nature fool you. Regular practice can not only improve your flexibility but balance, strength, and posture. For the betterment of our health and motivation, I thought I’d loop my ISO boyfriend (and generally, boyfriend COVID notwithstanding) into my 9am barre class on Zoom. As a motivational coach would say, it’s more fun with a friend. For the giggles alone I recommend it.

Working out together isn’t new. It started with a yoga class in Brooklyn four years ago which remedied his 21-hour flight niggles. And here we are today, despite his self-proclaimed ‘inflexibility’. Which, by the way, has improved tenfold. It’s 9.20 when he asks if there are any rebounds or breaks, likening barre to yin yoga. “None,” I say. He gets up to change the song. Convenient timing.

Then the facade cracks: “This shit burns!”

The beauty of barre is that the instructor makes every squat hold and plié pulse look seamless while also maintaining lung capacity to remind us to zip UP and that we’ll only hold for three more breaths (a white lie). Research points to exercising being able to enhance our mental resilience. That being uncomfortable – like in those deathly donkey kick combos – increases our growth. So we continue to opt for what is beneficial over what is pleasurable. The barre burn is good for us.

Centre Stage, 2000

We progress to the abdominal-focus part of the class which is a personal favourite but an “inferno in my stomach” for him. He assures me he’s NOT shaking.

I get the cue to wax poetic about our breakfast options post-class, “tahini-berry smoothies! Scrambled egg and nutmeg wraps?”.

“Eggs in our smoothie” he responds.

There are five minutes to go and he’s the one who’s cooked.

Igor, if you’re reading, I commend you on your willingness, tenacity, and execution of a one-legged bridge. To everyone else, please @theiconicsport when you convince a newbie to try barre. We want to hear ALL about it.

In the meantime, shop barre-ready outfits for you and him.

For Him