Barre Is Booming: 5 Surprising Ways This Workout Is Evolving

By CarolAnn, MS, NCPT, CPT

Barre fitness is breaking out of its boutique studio roots and making waves across the fitness industry. Backed by science and market growth, this low-impact modality is proving its power in digital, wellness, and even rehabilitation settings. Here are five ways barre is trending in 2025—and why fitness professionals should pay attention.

1. From Studios to Digital
The pandemic accelerated the growth of digital barre, and it’s here to stay. Online platforms, hybrid memberships, and at-home equipment (portable barres, resistance kits, and smart mats) are driving barre into living rooms worldwide.

• Data point: According to Growth Market Reports in the “Barre Studio Market Research Report 2033,” the global barre market is projected to grow steadily to $2.77 billion by 2033, supported by tech integration and consumer demand for low-impact options.

Takeaway for the Fitness Professional: Adding virtual barre options expands your reach to clients who want professional guidance but prefer flexible schedules.

2. Barre in Rehab & Wellness
Once viewed as “just a studio workout,” barre is now gaining traction in physical therapy, senior wellness, corporate wellness programs, and even in specific populations like prenatal/postpartum individuals.

• Improves Mood and Stress Profiles-Study Spotlight: A 2023 clinical trial showed barre classes significantly reduced depression, lowered cortisol, and boosted immune markers in older women. A 12-week intervention comparing walking with barre exercise in older women found that both activities significantly reduced depression scores, measured via CES-D. Importantly, morning cortisol levels felland serotonin (a mood-lifting neurotransmitter) rose, supporting barre’s value for mental and hormonal health in aging populations. [1]
• Neurorehabilitation Intervention-Study Spotlight: Research also indicates barre improves gait and lower-body strength in individuals with mild-to-moderate Parkinson’s disease. In a feasibility study involving individuals with mild to moderate Parkinson’s disease, participants attending twice-weekly 45-minute barre classes for 12 weeks demonstrated improved gait speed and functional walking distance. Attendance and retention were high (~70–100% attendance, 85% retention), and participants reported strong satisfaction. [2]

Takeaway for the Fitness Professional: If you work with special populations, barre offers a low-impact, functional path to strength, balance, and mood enhancement.

3. Science-Backed Benefits
Fitness pros love evidence—and barre has it.

• Isometric micro-movements improve muscle endurance and core stability. [3]
• Controlled ranges of motion enhance flexibility and joint mobility. [4]
• Alignment-based work improves posture and balance. [5]
• Mindful precision fosters stress reduction and mental focus. [6]

Takeaway for the Fitness Professional: Barre isn’t fluff—it’s neuromuscular training, balance work, and mindfulness rolled into one.

4. Strong, Graceful, Sustainable
The cultural shift in 2025 is away from “skinny” aesthetics and toward strength, grace, and longevity. Barre fits perfectly—clients build lean, functional muscle without joint strain.

• Celebrities and athletes alike are integrating barre for its ability to tone, stabilize, and elongate without burnout.

Takeaway for the Fitness Professional: Position barre as part of the “strength-with-sustainability” movement—especially appealing to aging populations and athletes looking for recovery-friendly training.

5. Market Momentum
Barre isn’t fading, it’s scaling.

• In 2025, Barre3 expanded by acquiring 11 new studios from Studio Barre.
• Boutique franchises are adding barre to diversify offerings, often pairing it with Pilates, yoga, or cycle.
• Outdoor and destination barre experiences are trending—from beach decks to wellness retreats.

Takeaway for the Fitness Professional: If you’re considering a niche, barre remains profitable and culturally relevant, with growing community demand.

Final Word for Fitness Professionals

Barre’s rise isn’t just a fad—it’s a scientifically backed, culturally aligned, and commercially expanding movement. Whether you’re a studio owner, independent trainer, or group fitness leader, integrating barre can help you:

• Attract new demographics (seniors, rehab, corporate wellness).
• Differentiate your offerings with a mind-body modality.
• Stay ahead of industry trends with data-driven, low-impact programming.
  
  

Barre is no longer niche—it’s a proven, profitable, and versatile training method. For fitness professionals, the takeaway is clear: embrace barre now to stay relevant, reach new demographics, and deliver the strength, balance, and resilience today’s clients demand.

About the Author: CarolAnn has been a certified fitness professional with a master’s degree in Exercise Science and Health Promotion for over 30 years, has been a FiTOUR® ProTrainer for over 25 years, and has authored 18 FiTOUR® courses, including the Primary/Advanced Barre Certification.  CarolAnn is a Club Pilates Corporate Master Trainer and Lead Instructor for the Club Pilates studio in Athens, GA where CarolAnn specializes in movement for everyBODY.

References

1. Kim MK, Koh SH, Kim TK. Effects of Walking and Barre Exercise on CES-D, Stress Hormones, hs-CRP, and Immunoglobulins in Elderly Women. J Clin Med. 2025 Mar 6;14(5):1777. doi: 10.3390/jcm14051777. PMID: 40095921; PMCID: PMC11901002.
2. Haussler AM, Tueth LE, Earhart GM. Feasibility of a Barre Exercise Intervention for Individuals with Mild to Moderate Parkinson's Disease. J Dance Med Sci. 2025 Jun 14:1089313X251342623. doi: 10.1177/1089313X251342623. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40515559.
3. Lee BC, McGill SM. Effect of long-term isometric training on core/torso stiffness. J Strength Cond Res. 2015 Jun;29(6):1515-26. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000000740. PMID: 26010794.
4. Alizadeh S, Daneshjoo A, Zahiri A, Anvar SH, Goudini R, Hicks JP, Konrad A, Behm DG. Resistance Training Induces Improvements in Range of Motion: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Sports Med. 2023 Mar;53(3):707-722. doi: 10.1007/s40279-022-01804-x. Epub 2023 Jan 9. PMID: 36622555; PMCID: PMC9935664.
5. Porto AB, Nascimento Guimarães A, Alves Okazaki VH. The effect of exercise on postural alignment: A systematic review. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2024 Oct;40:99-108. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2024.04.004. Epub 2024 Apr 13. PMID: 39593708.
6. Anderson E, Shivakumar G. Effects of exercise and physical activity on anxiety. Front Psychiatry. 2013 Apr 23;4:27. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2013.00027. PMID: 23630504; PMCID: PMC3632802.