Barre Workout at Your Kitchen Counter

Barre is a great workout that combines yoga, pilates, and ballet. Classes can be found nationwide, but how many of us have trouble getting to the gym? Okay, so pretty much all of us right? We are busy! So, as busy lady myself, I have put together a fun Barre sequence that you can do while at your kitchen counter. Meaning, while you are making dinner you can get a workout in! Okay so before you start scrolling down, keep in mind in all the below photos you will swap out the ballet barre and use your kitchen counter instead, got it?

Standing Donkey Kicks

1. Lean over your kitchen count with your forearms and elbows on the counter
2. Make sure your feet are far enough away from the counter so your back is flat
3. Bend one knee – pretending like you are going to put your footprint on the ceiling with a very strongly flexed foot
4. Pulse your bent leg up towards the ceiling – keeping a bent knee and flexed foot
5. Squeeze your booty everytime you pulse
6. Repeat on the other leg

Side Leg Lift (Dégagé)

1. Standing at your counter top lightly place your hands on the counter
2. Stand with feet about 6 inches apart (or whatever feels comfortable/natural)
3. Put all of your weight onto your left leg
4. Slowly raise your right leg straight out to the side – Really squeeze the outside of your thigh and butt as you raise up
5. Slowly with control lower your leg back down
6. Keep your core tight to avoid your upper body from moving
7. Repeat
8. Perform the same exercise on the opposite leg

Backward Leg Lift (Arabesque)

1. Standing at your counter top lightly place your hands on the counter
2. Stand with feet about 6 inches apart (or whatever feels comfortable/natural)
3. Put all of your weight onto your left leg
4. Slowly raise your right leg straight behind you – keeping your leg straight
5. Squeeze your butt
6. Lower leg back down
7. Keep your core tight the entire time to avoid your upper body from moving
8. Repeat
9. Perform the same exercise on the opposite leg

Butterfly Squat (Plié in First Position)

1. Bring your heels to touch – toes should point out towards opposite sides of the room
2. Slowly rise up on your toes – heels still touching
3. Stand up tall – lightly place your hands on the counter in front of you
4. Slowly squat down – knees should align with your toes as you squat down
5. Slowly rise – really squeezing your booty and inner thighs as you come up
6. Keep your core engaged to avoid your upper body from moving
7. Keep your heels high
8. Repeat

Wide Butterfly Squat (Plié in Second Position)

1. Stand with your legs about a foot or two apart
2. Point toes out
3. Lightly put your hands on the counter and stand tall
4. Slowly squat down – your knees should shoot over your toes
5. Squeeze your booty as you come back up
6. Keep your core engaged to avoid your upper body from moving
7. Repeat