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2025 Update: Barre vs Pilates | Which Workout Burns More Calories, Builds Strength & Improves Flexibility?
- Dawn Chambers, PT, DPT
- Feb 10, 2022
- 8 min read
Updated: 22 hours ago
Trying to choose between Pilates and barre? You're not alone. These two low-impact workouts are often recommended for core strength, posture, flexibility, and recovery, but they offer distinct benefits depending on your goals. Whether you're focused on improving strength, reducing stress, burning calories, or finding a fun and sustainable home workout, understanding how Pilates and barre differ can help you make the right choice.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know, including which burns more calories, which builds strength more effectively, and what equipment works best for your at-home setup. Let’s explore the unique advantages of each and discover which workout truly fits your body, lifestyle, and wellness goals.
⭐ Editor’s Note: This post was updated for 2025 to reflect the most current research, product reviews, and expert insights.
Pilates vs Barre: Which Workout Is Better for You? + Home Equipment Guide
Many people wonder about the difference between Pilates vs barre. Both are fantastic workouts that provide a slew of physical and mental benefits, but there are some differences between them. Pilates and barre are both low-impact, rigorous, and intended to stretch and strengthen your muscles. Here's a rundown of the differences, similarities, and benefits of each so you can pick the one that is most appropriate for your health and fitness goals.
What is Pilates?
During World War I, Joseph Pilates invented Pilates to help wounded soldiers recover from injuries.[*] Pilates is popular among athletes since it improves their strength without adding bulk. Today, many people use Pilates to condition their bodies. This technique can improve your core strength, flexibility and reduce stress. It can also help with the treatment of chronic pain and injuries. A Pilates workout focuses on lengthening and strengthening muscles, particularly the core (abdominals and back). Pilates is often performed on a mat or reformer machine. If you want to stick with performing Pilates on a mat, try Pilates mat classes.
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What Is Pilates Good For?
Pilates is a highly effective exercise for a variety of reasons, and it's considered a functional fitness activity. Pilates focuses on the concept of “mind over matter,” which is at the heart of the Pilates technique. The goal is to link the mind and body in such a way that the body may achieve proper balance, strength, and health without requiring conscious effort.[*]
Benefits of Pilates Classes
What Is Barre?
Lotte Berk, a German-born contemporary ballet dancer, created barre fitness in 1959. Two of the major aims of this exercise are to strengthen your body and enhance flexibility. Barre blends both yoga and Pilates while incorporating ballet to tone your physique and increase flexibility. The main focus of barre is on isometric exercises, which are often done on a ballet barre. These exercises include lunges, curtseys, arabesques, pliés, and ballet squats. Barre is an excellent method to tone, strengthen, and improve flexibility from head to toe.
What is Barre Good For?
Taking a barre class is an excellent option for your fitness routine if you're searching for a unique fitness motivation boost and a workout that will increase your core and lower extremity strength. You can do barre workouts from the comfort of your own home, or you can take a barre class in a studio. All you need is a chair, a mat, and some basic workout clothing.
Benefits of Barre Classes
⭐️ The Multifunctional Pilates Training System is a sleek piece of equipment that offers a versatile workout. I used it often in the clinic as part of my core stabilization program, and I still keep one at home. It’s one of my go-to tools for helping patients—and myself—build strength with control.
Calorie Burn Comparison: Barre vs. Pilates
Barre: A 150-pound individual can burn approximately 250–500 calories in a 60-minute barre class, depending on the intensity and specific exercises performed. Additionally, barre workouts can induce the "afterburn effect" (EPOC), where the body continues to burn calories post-exercise.
Pilates: In contrast, a 150-pound person engaging in a 60-minute mat Pilates session typically burns around 200–250 calories. Pilates focuses on controlled movements and core engagement, which may result in a lower immediate calorie burn compared to barre.
Summary: While both workouts are effective, barre tends to burn more calories during the session, making it a suitable choice for those aiming for higher immediate calorie expenditure.
Similarities Between Pilates and Barre
There are a few similarities between Pilates and barre. Both exercises focus on balance and control, and you achieve a full-body workout. They both use light weights or body weight to provide resistance as well as resistance bands.
Both Pilates and barre workouts include non-impact movements. They both strengthen and lengthen your muscles without adding bulk.
Both Pilates and barre are popular forms of exercise, so lots of equipment is available for both. You may practice Pilates and barre in a group at a studio or at home. Pilates and barre studios often provide sessions tailored to those with specific health issues, such as back pain or post-injury rehabilitation.
Both Pilates and barre offer a long list of comparable benefits. You'll improve your balance, muscle strength, and flexibility while reducing stress.
Remember that both exercises are great ways to take care of your wellness and practice self-care!
Differences Between Pilates and Barre
Pilates and barre are both great exercises, but there are some key differences between them.
The most significant distinction between these two types of exercise is muscle use. Barre frequently emphasizes working single body parts with little, repetitive movements. Pilates, on the other hand, requires the entire body for each movement.
Another difference between Pilates and barre is the equipment used. A Pilates class uses a mat or reformer machine, whereas barre classes make use of a ballet barre for balance.
Strength Training Comparison: Barre vs. Pilates
Barre: Barre emphasizes isometric strength training, utilizing small, repetitive movements to fatigue specific muscle groups, particularly in the lower body. This approach enhances muscular endurance and stability.
Pilates: Pilates focuses on functional strength, targeting the core and promoting full-body alignment through controlled, flowing movements. It enhances muscular endurance, flexibility, and balance.
Summary: Barre is excellent for building muscular endurance and toning, especially in the lower body, while Pilates offers comprehensive core strengthening and improves overall functional movement.
Best Pilates Home Workout Equipment (on Amazon!)
This resistance-adding tool enhances flexibility and conditions various body parts. With padded cushion handles, it comes with a 15-minute training video for beginner and expert exercises.
Unlike regular yoga mats, this Pilates mat is thicker and denser, providing essential support for moves that often start on your back. Its extra length and smooth surface facilitate gliding through movements.
A multifaceted equipment offering stretching, resistance training, and mobility work during Pilates workouts. Suitable for targeting arms, shoulders, legs, feet, spine, and lower back.
Combining resistance bands and a foam roller, the Motr allows eight different positions, engaging core, agility, balance, and planks. It offers a full-body workout with adjustable resistance levels.
🌟 Dr. Dawn’s Favorite Pick
“I’ve used the MOTR in outpatient clinics and now keep one at home. It’s one of my favorite tools for core stabilization—my patients loved how versatile it was, especially for balance, planks, and functional core work. Even now, as a virtual PT, I still recommend it to anyone serious about movement and strength.”
Key for strength and balance exercises, this chair is adjustable to suit various workouts. Compact and easily storable, it comes with two heavy and two light chair springs, vinyl-covered pedals, and adjustable handles.
Wall-mounted, the springboard challenges the body with an unpredictable bounce, enhancing postural stability and core strength. It includes various attachments for a versatile workout.
Ideal for beginners, this compact reformer offers smooth resistance with three cords and a padded platform for added comfort. Its foldable frame and built-in wheels make storage easy, while the adjustable headrest and online video access enhance your at-home Pilates experience.
Best Barre Home Workout Equipment (on Amazon!)
Designed for stability and space-saving function, this freestanding barre features a sturdy steel frame, storage rack for weights, and foldable design. It’s ideal for barre, ballet, and sculpt workouts at home—no wall-mounting or tools required for setup.
These durable fabric bands offer different resistance levels, allowing you to target various muscle groups and intensify your barre routine.
Add upper body toning to your barre sessions. With a comfortable grip and various weight options, these dumbbells enhance overall muscle engagement.
Intensify core engagement and isometric exercises with this ball. This anti-burst and durable Pilates ball enhances the effectiveness of your barre workouts.
Monitor and refine your form during barre exercises. A clear view of your entire body ensures proper alignment and maximizes the benefits of each movement.
Frequently Asked Questions About Barre and Pilates Workouts
1. Is barre or Pilates better for weight loss?
Barre typically burns more calories per session, especially due to its cardio-based, repetitive movements. Pilates focuses on controlled, strength-based motion that builds lean muscle, which helps boost your metabolism over time. For optimal results, many combine both workouts with a healthy diet.
2. Which is harder, barre or Pilates?
Barre can feel more intense at first, especially in the legs and glutes, due to sustained isometric holds and pulses. Pilates challenges your core and overall control. One isn’t better than the other—it depends on your fitness level and focus.
3. Can I do barre or Pilates every day?
Yes. Both workouts are low-impact and safe for daily practice. Alternating between them or combining them in short sessions (e.g., 20 minutes Pilates + 10 minutes barre) can help improve consistency without overtraining.
4. Do I need a reformer to do Pilates at home?
No, a reformer isn't necessary. Many Pilates workouts can be done effectively with just a mat and a few accessories (like rings or resistance bands). However, a reformer can add variety and challenge for advanced users.
5. Is barre good for posture and back pain?
Yes. Barre's focus on alignment and core strength helps improve posture. Its low-impact nature and emphasis on muscle endurance can also support spinal health and reduce low back pain, especially when done with proper form.
🌸 Dr. Dawn’s Corner: Pilates or Barre? Choose What Moves You!
Current Favorite Tool: Pilates Ring (Magic Circle) – A versatile and affordable tool that adds resistance and core engagement to both Pilates and barre workouts. It’s perfect for enhancing your home practice without needing bulky equipment.
Wellness Reminder💡 "The best workout is the one you enjoy and return to—movement should feel like self-care, not punishment."
Wellness Hack🩰 Mix Pilates and barre for the ultimate combo: Try 20 minutes of Pilates for core control, followed by 10 minutes of barre for targeted toning. This balanced blend builds strength, posture, and grace—all in one session.
Final Thoughts
Pilates and Barre are both excellent workouts that help build strength, flexibility, and endurance in low-impact, effective ways. Choosing between them depends on your fitness goals, preferences, and workout style.
If you love precise, controlled movements and core engagement, Pilates is your best bet. If you prefer a high-energy, muscle-toning workout with a ballet twist, barre is the way to go.
No matter which one you choose, you’ll build a stronger, more flexible body—one movement at a time!
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this site, including text, graphics, images, and other material, is provided solely for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other healthcare professional with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your specific condition.
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