Barre fitness for injury prevention

**Meet Flo, lovely friend of mine and founder of Flow Physio London, a bespoke holistic approach to Physiotherapy and Wellness Optimisation. Flo has been a fan of** **The Barre Coach Online Studio** **for over 3 years now and regularly recommends the platform to her clients. Here, she’s telling us exactly why Barre is unique placed to help keep you injury free.**

In today’s society, various factors pose challenges to our physical health, including longer commutes, extended working hours and less time for physical activity. These factors contribute to reduced mobility and strength.

Physiotherapists are becoming less of a “go to” for when injury strikes and more of a popular source of advice with regards to the mechanics of the human body and we can move more easily through day to day life. This shift towards proactive or preventative physiotherapy is not exclusive to athletes; it's relevant to everyone.

Barre workouts concentrate on targeting specific muscle groups, enabling us to better understand and strengthen our bodies which is a crucial aspect of preventative physiotherapy. This comprehensive and proactive approach to physical health helps reduce the likelihood of injury and build a solid foundation for overall well-being.

How can a Barre practice complement your current routine and help reduce your risk of injury?

1. Mastering flexibility & range of motion.

Adequate flexibility can help reduce the risk of muscle strains and injuries, especially in situations where muscles are stretched beyond their typical range of motion. While having good flexibility is essential for joint health and functional movement, it's equally important to have control over that flexibility to avoid overstretching or destabilising the joints.

The intentional movements that you’ll find in Barre class, which are reflective of many of the physiotherapy-prescribed exercises, are great to help you take control of that flexibility by building strength and working on good joint mobility, reducing the risk of joint-related injuries and issues.

2. Mastering balance - how Barre can improve stability

In our daily lives, we often find ourselves in situations where we need to make quick and flexible movements. Whether it's manoeuvring through the crowded streets of London, handling the physical demands of childcare, or engaging in sports as professional athletes or weekend enthusiasts, our ability to maintain control, balance and stability plays a pivotal role.

In activities like running, cycling or high- intensity classes, supplementing them with a Barre class can yield benefits by integrating precise and balance improving techniques. The goal is to challenge and expand the limits of stability, ultimately boosting one’s self- assurance in their body’s capabilities.

3. Cross training to avoid overuse

Barre serves as an exceptional cross-training method. It offers a low impact yet intensive workout that specifically targets muscles and movement patterns not commonly addressed in conventional training routines. The diversity inherent to a Barre class plays a pivotal role in averting overuse injuries, which can manifest due to repetitive motions in other sports or fitness routines. Embracing this diversity in training not only helps reduce the risk of injury but also facilitates a quicker recovery while maintaining an active lifestyle.

4. Improved body mechanics and reduced strain on joints

The focus on proper alignment and form in a Barre class can help develop better body awareness, mechanics and reduce the risk of injuries. The workouts are about teaching you to be intentional with movement - helping you to understand which muscle groups should be working in any given sequence. With intentional movement comes more efficient movement patterns, paving the way for you to become stronger, fitter and faster. Adding intentional and targeted variety to your training programme is really important in keeping you safe from injury and improving overall performance.

Proactive physiotherapy is an undervalued aspect of overall well-being. Any programme or intervention that can enhance your current physical and emotional health will, over time, lower the risk of incurring an injury or illness. Our focus is providing clients with a holistic approach to keeping their bodies injury free and improving overall performance, with a diverse workout programme playing a crucial role in achieving this goal.

Nurturing Your Journey: Meet the collaborating Barre & Physiotherapy specialists.

**It’s a total pleasure to work alongside Flo, championing the benefits of a regular Barre practice, keeping you injury free while getting stronger.**

To tell you a little more about Flo, she is an experienced physiotherapist with over 10 years experience, specialising in musculoskeletal pathologies, sports injuries and chronic pain with strong relationships with top UK orthopaedic and sports medicine consultants. She prides herself on a multidisciplinary approach drawing from hand picked specialists in their field to provide complementary skill sets that assist in someone's overall optimisation. Florence regularly recommends The Barre Coach & Gen’s methodological approach alongside a structured physiotherapy plan. Discover more about her services based in Soho, Notting Hill & residency at Hotel Cafe Royal Regent’s Street here.