How to Build a Beginner Barre Class Routine That Actually Sticks
The kids are back at school. The summer chaos has piped down. And suddenly, there it is — that small window of time that could actually belong to you again.
I’ve always thought of September as the January for mums. It’s the new school year, and that long summer holiday sends even the most dedicated exerciser off track. When we finally wave our little darlings off we feel we need to get our entire lives back in order.
Eat healthier, move our bodies, book the dentist, clear out the wardrobes… everything doesn’t have to happen all at once, but I would suggest starting with exercise.
Maybe you used the 20 minute classes over the summer to keep you going, maybe you didn’t. What I’ve learned over the decades of being a personal trainer is that women undoubtably give themselves a Jolly Hard Time. Psychologically we are all in the ‘New Term. New Me’ camp, but we’ve probably tried enough times to realise that going all in usually results in us being all out by week 2 or 3.
So let's talk about how to build a beginner barre class routine that actually sticks — not because you've suddenly become a different person with boundless discipline, but because you've set yourself up to succeed.
Why Online Barre Classes Work for Beginners
If you're new to exercise, or returning after a long gap, the idea of walking into a gym or a bustling studio can feel genuinely intimidating. Who are all these people in matching sets? Is everyone looking at me? Why are they all 25?
Online barre classes remove all of that. You're in your living room, wearing whatever you like, pressing play when it suits you. No commute, no comparison, no performance anxiety.
And barre itself is brilliant for beginners. It's low-impact, which means your joints will thank you. It's strength-focused, which means you'll feel the results in your muscles even if you're not gasping for air. And it's rhythmical and flowing, which means — whisper it — it's actually quite enjoyable. Scrap that, it’s absolutely bloody brilliant.
I always suggest beginning with the Start Where You Are classes. These are 20 minutes, and require no equipment. Do 2 a week, and once you have that habit inbuilt you can up the ante.
The classes are a little slower, break down the foundational moves, and concentrate on form. Think of it as learning the language before you try to have a conversation.
When you're ready, you can either segue seamlessely into more 20 minute classes, or move into the weekly classes which come in at around 30 minutes: Arms and Abs, Barre HIIT, Express Barre, Power Barre. There's a flavour for every mood and schedule.
The Motivation Myth
Let's get one thing straight: motivation doesn't just arrive like a magical unicorn. We all know this to be true. People who work out regularly have simply learned one thing: you don't wait for motivation — you build habits and routines that carry you through when motivation is nowhere to be found.
Let's be honest — there will be days when the sofa whispers your name, the to-do list screams louder than your playlist, or life just feels... a lot. That's normal. The trick isn't to fight those days. The trick is to create a routine so strong that when motivation is AWOL, you can lean on what you've already built.
How to Build a Routine That Sticks
1. Start Smaller Than You Think You Should
If your plan is “I'll do an hour every morning at 6am,” we need to talk. That's admirable, but it's probably not sustainable. Start with two classes a week. That's it. Two. Choose days that feel realistic — not the days when you're rushing out the door or drowning in deadlines. Maybe it's Tuesday evening once the kids are in bed, and Saturday morning when the house is quiet.
The goal isn't to be heroic. The goal is to be consistent. Two classes a week, every week, beats five classes one week and none for a month.
2. Anchor It to Something Already in Your Diary
Habits stick when they're tied to existing routines. This is called habit stacking, and it's annoyingly effective. You already brush your teeth every morning. You already make coffee. You already sit down at your desk on certain days. Stack your barre class immediately after one of these anchors.
“After I finish my coffee on Tuesday, I press play on my barre class.” “After I close my laptop on Thursday, I change into my workout gear.” The more specific you are the more successful you will be. See also: the less you have to think about it, the more likely it is to happen.
3. Prepare the Night Before
This sounds ridiculously simple, but it works. Lay out your workout clothes. Fill your water bottle. Check which class you're doing tomorrow. Maybe even open the tab on your device. Every tiny decision you make in the morning uses up a little bit of willpower. If you've already decided what to wear, where to find the class, and whether you're doing Arms and Abs or Express Barre, you've removed friction before it can become an excuse.
4. Choose Your Class According to Your Mood
One of the joys of online barre classes is that you're not stuck with whatever the studio timetable dictates. Feeling energetic? Try Barre HIIT. Short on time? Express Barre has you covered in 30 minutes. Want something longer and more immersive? Power Barre is your treat.
There's no shame in picking the easier option when you're tired. There's no glory in forcing yourself through something you hate. The best routine is the one you'll actually do, not the one that looks most impressive on paper.
5. Build in Accountability
Accountability doesn't have to mean a drill sergeant shouting at you. It can be a weekly check-in with a friend, a note in your calendar, or simply the knowledge that you've paid for access and you want to get your money's worth. Some people find it helpful to tell someone their plan: “I'm doing Tuesday and Thursday this week.” There's something about speaking it aloud that makes it feel more real. Others prefer the quiet satisfaction of ticking it off a list. Find what works for you.
6. Track How You Feel, Not Just What You Do
This is one of my favourite tips, and it's pure gold. After every class, take 10 seconds to note down — mentally or actually — how you feel. More energised? Less stressed? Sleeping better? Standing taller? These are the real wins, and they're far more motivating than any number on a scale or any before-and-after photograph.
When motivation dips, look back at your notes. The evidence is right there: you feel better when you do this. That's the routine talking, not willpower.
7. Give Yourself Permission to Be Imperfect
You will miss a class. Probably several. You will have weeks where everything falls apart and barre is the furthest thing from your mind. This is not failure. This is life just getting life-y on us. The difference between people who stick with exercise long-term and people who don't isn't perfection. It's the willingness to start again without the drama. No spiral of guilt, no “I've ruined it now” narrative. Just: today is a new day, and I'm pressing play again.
The September Window
September really is the perfect time to begin. The rhythms of life settle back into something more predictable. There's a fresh-start energy in the air that you can absolutely harness — but only if you start small and build from there.
Don't set yourself up to fail with an unsustainable plan. Set yourself up to succeed with a routine that fits your real life, not some fantasy version of it.
Because here's what I know for sure: once you find your rhythm with online barre classes, it stops being something you “should” do and becomes something you genuinely want to do. Your body feels stronger. Your mind feels clearer. And that small window of time that belongs to you? It becomes precious. So pick your two days. Lay out your clothes. Open the tab. And I'll see you at the barre.
PS. If you do the Start Where You Are Series, there’s an accompanying video for each of the six weeks that lay out how to build an exercise habit that really lasts. A deeper delve into each of the above points really, but if you can incorporate them you’ll be on the fast track to becoming a barre aficionado.