SHELDON—People can raise the barre in terms of fitness in 2019.

Barre classes are an option at the Northwest Iowa Lifelong Learning and Recreation Center on the campus of Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon.

Barre is a form of exercise that combines aspects of ballet, Pilates and yoga.

It gets its name from the ballet barre, a static horizontal rail that provides support in balance exercises as well as flexibility movements.

Instructor Kristin “KP” Bailey said barre is primarily about technique with lighter weights and less repetitions.

“You are barely moving, but you feel the burn,” Bailey said.

Half of the activity in the class takes place in the center of the room and the other half is performed near the ballet barre.

Bailey said the low-impact class is great for all fitness levels and ages.

“You are not jumping up and down, but your heart feels like you are,” Bailey said. “People who have worked out for years can come and feel like they have muscles they have never worked out before.”

The effect is accomplished by utilizing isometric exercises. Isometrics are contractions of muscle groups while holding the body still.

Bailey said this provides people with improvements to strength and overall toning. It improves general core strength which helps reduce lower back pain and strength weak hips. Bailey said barre also can improve balance.

“There are few things barre is not,” Bailey said.

The nature of the exercise and the benefits of the workout make barre a popular class at the LLRC.

LLRC coordinator Greta Giese said 6-15 people participate in the barre class.

“It is an upbeat class with an upbeat instructor,” she said. “It is a different way to do strength training that is meant to be challenging.”

Giese agreed with Bailey, stating that one of the first things people will notice after taking a barre class is seemingly new muscles.

“You use muscles that control the body, and the movements follow the beat of the music,” Giese said. “Once you experience the effects of barre, the descriptions of it make sense.”

The classes at LLRC are held at 10 a.m. on Mondays and 6:15 a.m. on Fridays.

Bailey said since barre does not engage plyometrics or intense cardio workouts, there is an easy transition between the class and the beginning of the workday.

“You get the cardio without the sweat,” she said.

Bailey said she became passionate about barre when she lived in Baton Rouge, LA.

When she knew she was going to move to Sioux Center, she made sure barre would continue being part of her life.

She decided if there were not barre studios or classes in N’West Iowa, she was going to bring it with her.

When Bailey made the move in 2015, she found some classes in the area that were a barre blend, so she decided to teach a barre class herself.

Not only does she offer classes at LLRC, but also at Rise Gymnastics at 6 a.m. Thursdays. Bailey’s dream is to own a barre studio in N’West Iowa — something she thinks is a possibility.

“Word travels fast,” Bailey said. “The barre workout is like nothing else. You can work out every single day and be challenged by barre. You can modify it if you need to. The toning results are real. My heart starts pounding just by doing plies, moving an inch up and down. It is fun to switch things up and we never do the same thing in barre.”