Barre classes? Yeah, that's us.

Low impact, high intensity, always a great time.

Whether you’re a barre regular or totally new to it, Dragonfly has a class for you. Our barre based classes run throughout the week across our 5 Madison-area locations – with heated and non-heated options so you can choose your own adventure. Low impact, high intensity, and built around the small precise movements that make barre one of the most effective full body workouts around. All levels welcome, all equipment provided, come as you are!

40+ Barre based Classes per Week

Our Offerings

Dragonfly Barre and Barre Inspired Classes

Barre

Barre is low impact, but sneakily one of the most effective full body workouts we offer. Influenced by ballet, pilates, and yoga, this precision-based class focuses on small, isolated movements within deeply held postures that target the muscles you didn’t know you had (until the next day). Expect serious toning, improved posture, increased flexibility, and a metabolism boost, all without a single jumping jack. Not a dance class, just a really great workout.

Cardio Barre

Cardio Barre is what happens when barre gets a cardio upgrade! High intensity intervals are layered over ballet-inspired movements for a metabolism-boosting, endurance-building class that’s low impact and genuinely a blast. Work hard, move smart, and leave feeling like you really did something.

Pilates Fusion

Pilates Fusion is the perfect bridge between barre and pilates: a 30-minute mat-based class that brings the core-focused precision of pilates together with the toning, isolated movements barre is famous for. We’re talking serious attention to your abs, obliques, back, and glutes through low-impact controlled movements that target the deep stabilizing muscles. Woven into the class are mindful movement breaks to keep things flowing and shake out the burn. If you love barre and want to go even deeper into core work, this is your class.

FAQs

Your top barre brainteasers

What exactly is barre?

Barre is a low-impact, high-intensity workout inspired by ballet technique – but don’t let that scare you off, it is absolutely not a dance class. Classes focus on small, isolated isometric movements that target specific muscle groups (think thighs, glutes, core, and arms) through deeply held postures that seriously add up. The result is a full body workout that builds strength, improves posture, increases flexibility.

Do I need dance experience to take barre classes?

Nope, not even a little! Our barre classes are designed for every fitness level and every background. No ballet training, no dance experience, and no prior barre experience is required. Our instructors are great at explaining movements clearly and offering modifications throughout, so you’ll always know what to do and feel comfortable doing it. Just show up and we’ll take care of the rest.

Are your barre classes heated?

Some of them! We’ve got barre classes in our heated studio at 95°F, and the rest are in our comfortable non-heated Mild room. Not sure which is right for you? Try both and see which one you love more – spoiler: most people end up loving both.

Is barre good for beginners?

It’s honestly one of the best classes for beginners. The low-impact nature of barre means it’s easy on your joints, the movements are learnable at any fitness level, and our instructors offer modifications throughout so you can always go at your own pace. We’re not strict on perfect form! We’d rather you enjoy yourself and feel the workout. :)

Is barre a good workout if I'm already pretty fit?

100% yes. Barre has a way of humbling even the most seasoned athletes. Those small, precise isometric movements target slow-twitch muscle fibers that most other workouts miss entirely! A lot of our most dedicated barre members are runners, cyclists, and gym-goers who started barre as cross-training and got completely hooked. Your legs will have opinions, regardless of your fitness level.

What are the benefits of barre classes?

So many good things. Regular barre practice builds full body strength and muscle endurance, improves posture and spinal alignment, increases flexibility, boosts core strength, and is gentle enough on your joints to do multiple times a week. A lot of our members also find it’s a great stress reliever – there’s something about focusing on tiny precise movements that forces you to be really present. It’s basically moving meditation with a side of leg shakes.

How often should I take barre classes to see results?

Most people find a sweet spot of 2-3 barre classes per week, which is enough to build consistency and start seeing the results. The great news is that barre is low impact enough to do multiple times a week without overdoing it, and it pairs really well with our yoga and other fitness classes for a well-rounded routine.