Have questions about becoming a Barre instructor? Unsure where to start? Not to worry, we are going to cover all the steps to becoming a Barre instructor!
What is Barre?
Barre is a style of fitness originally invented by Lotte Berk in 1959 (yep, it's been around a lot longer than you think! You can read more about the creation of Barre here). Berk was a ballet dancer whose career ended with a back injury. Realising she could combine her Physiotherapy with her love of dance, "The Lotte Berk Technique" was born, and it was a hit! As Berk's method has been passed down and brought across the world, it has morphed into what we know today as Barre, with influences from Yoga and Pilates as well.
Whilst Barre classes can be found in Gyms, they are mostly featured in Boutique Fitness Studios. The fitness industry is a booming one, and has only grown in years past at a rate of 8.7%. In 2019, the global fitness industry had an estimated revenue of $87 billion, and although North America is at the top of the revenue list, the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia, is set to take the top spot by 2023. Why is all this important? Well, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, it is reported that Boutique Fitness studios were one of the only sectors of the industry to continue performing well in 2020 and 2021. This shows that Barre and its Boutique Fitness counterparts are a great career choice: not only is fitness not going anywhere, but it is a career that can withstand tough times due to its flexibility in being taught in-person and online.
Do I need to be a dancer to teach Barre?
While a background in dance, particularly ballet, is helpful, it is by no means necessary! Aleenta's Instructor Training Course has a ballet training day that can be added onto the course for those needing to learn the basic technique and terminology. Our Master Trainer, Alicia, has an extensive background and knowledge of dance and will be there to help you every step of the way.
Why should you add Barre to your arsenal?
If you are already a fitness instructor of some kind, like Pilates, or even an allied health professional such as a Physiotherapist, Barre can be a great skill to add to your collection! Not only will you learn some new things, but you are expanding your fitness and anatomical knowledge, opening up new doors for your career. Many studios nowadays offer more than one type of fitness, so being able to teach across multiple styles is a fantastic and highly-employable asset.
For allied health professionals, Barre is a frequently-recommended fitness style for clients with rehabilitative needs due to its low-impact nature. It is generally safe for those with injuries, pre and post-partum, and other conditions. Having Barre under your belt means you can refer your clients directly to you!
How about those of us with no prior fitness background? If you're a dancer, Barre is a fantastic way to dip your toes into the fitness industry, using skills you already have! Supplementing your income as a dancer is important, especially during tough times where work in the arts is few and far between, like the COVID-19 pandemic. What's great about Barre is that you are staying within the realm of what you love, and keeping your fitness and technique strong whilst work may be sparse.
If you're totally new, perhaps only attending classes, Barre is a great place to start making your journey as an instructor. As aforementioned, modernised Barre has become a sort of mish-mash of everything, and you can put your own spin on it. This is great for a few reasons; learning Barre means you also learn about Pilates, Yoga and Ballet, essentially acquiring knowledge for multiple fitness styles in just one course. Find you don't like the Yoga aspect as much as the Pilates? Perhaps your next step into the fitness industry is a Mat Pilates course! The options are endless. The other reason being that while there are classic exercises and moves you should be incorporating into your classes, how you create your sequences is totally up to you. If you have that creative spark, Barre is the perfect choice.
What qualifications do I need to become an instructor?
Technically... none!
Fitness Australia does not require Barre instructors to have prior qualifications, however, a Certificate III in Fitness can go a long way in helping you understand the anatomy and functions behind human movement and exercise. While this is covered in Aleenta's Instructor Training Course, a deeper understanding will likely help you learn how to keep your clients exercising as safe as possible and prevent injuries.
Additionally, you should know about and have a passion for Barre. We recommend our trainees take at least 10 classes before enrolling to get a feel for the fitness style.
How does the course work?
Aleenta's Barre Instructor Training is a 150 hour course divided into two components; online and in-person. Complete ~40 hours of online, self-study modules and then attend a 3-day, practical intensive with Master Trainer, Alicia. Don't fret if you can't do all the self-study prior to your in-person intensive. You actually have up to 2 weeks post-intensive to complete all course work!
How much does it cost?
Aleenta offers several payment options and discounts depending on your individual needs and preferences. The course cost on its own is $1999, and we do offer payment plans. If you are interested in undertaking multiple courses, you can save up to 20% by bundling 2-3 of our courses together!
Are you ready to dive in to Barre? Click here to enroll.
Works Cited
Stasha, Smiljanic. 19+ Statistics and Facts About the Fitness Industry (2022). 5 March 2022. 16 April 2022. <https://policyadvice.net/insurance/insights/fitness-industry-statistics/>.
Zuckerman, Arthur. 50+ FITNESS STATISTICS: 2020/2021 PHYSICAL ACTIVITY & AGE GROUP DATA. 22 May 2020. 16 April 2022. <https://comparecamp.com/fitness-statistics/>.
