What is the difference between Barre and Pilates?

Pilates focuses primarily on core stabilization, flexibility, and controlled movements from the floor using a mat. Barre focuses on continuous, muscle-shaking endurance from a standing position, heavily targeting the legs, glutes, and hips.

How long does it take to get a Pilates body?

With consistent practice of 2 to 3 classes per week, you will typically feel stronger and more aligned within a month. Visible muscle toning usually becomes apparent after 8 to 12 weeks of consistent practice.

Is Barre or Pilates better for beginners?

Both are excellent low-impact options for beginners. Mat Pilates is great for building foundational core strength, while Barre is ideal for those who prefer an upbeat, standing workout focused on the lower body.

Barre vs. Pilates – Which Low-Impact Workout is Right for You?

Olly Paulovich
Mar 10
3 min read

Pilates and Barre Classes at the London Academy of Dance

If you’re looking to strengthen your core, improve your posture, and get a highly effective low-impact workout, you’ve likely narrowed your choices down to two popular options: Pilates and Barre.

At The London Academy of Dance in Southwark (just minutes from London Bridge and Tower Bridge), we teach both. We often get asked: What exactly is the difference between Barre and Pilates? And, perhaps the most frequent question of all—how long does it take to see results?

Let’s break down the differences so you can decide which class is best for you, your body, and your fitness goals. (Or, if you’re looking to explore all of your options, you can browse all of our fitness classes in Southwark)

What is Pilates? (The Power of the Mat)

Pilates is a system of exercises designed to improve physical strength, flexibility, and posture, with a massive emphasis on the core. It was developed nearly a century ago by Joseph Pilates and focuses heavily on controlled movement and breathwork.

Because the core is the foundation of Pilates, you'll spend most of the class on the mat, working to stabilise the spine and hips while isolating different muscle groups using only gravity and your own body weight. This forces you to have total control over your muscles, building an incredibly strong foundation that translates beautifully to everyday life and athletic performance.

The Pilates Results Timeline: How Long to Get a Pilates Body?

You might have heard Joseph Pilates' famous quote:

"In 10 sessions you'll feel the difference, in 20 sessions you'll see the difference, and in 30 sessions you'll have a whole new body."

Consistency is key. If you are taking a Pilates class in Southwark 2 to 3 times a week, you’ll typically feel stronger, taller, and more aligned within just a month. Visible muscl

e toning—often called the Pilates body—usually becomes apparent after 8 to 12 weeks of consistent practice. We've written more about the realistic timeline to Pilates Body here.

What is Barre? (The Shake and Burn)

If Pilates is about core stabilisation from the floor, Barre is about continuous, muscle-shaking endurance from a standing position.

Barre combines the fundamental principles of Pilates, the mindful movement of yoga, and the functional strength training of ballet. In a Barre class, you use a ballet barre (or a chair) for balance while performing tiny, isometric movements—often called "pulses."

While you won’t be doing any pirouettes (you don't need any dance experience to take a Barre class!), you will be targeting your glutes, thighs, calves, and core until those muscles literally shake.

The Benefits of Barre

High Repetition, Low Impact: Barre is famously joint-friendly while still delivering an intense muscular burn.
Focus on the Lower Body: While Pilates focuses intensely on the core, Barre puts a massive emphasis on building strength in the legs, glutes, and hips.
Posture and Balance: Because you spend so much time standing and balancing, Barre is phenomenal for improving your overall posture and alignment.

The Verdict: Barre vs. Pilates

So, which one should you choose?

Choose Pilates if: You want to focus primarily on your core, prefer floor-based exercises, or are looking to build a deep foundation of functional core strength.

Choose Barre if: You want a slightly more upbeat class, love feeling that deep muscle burn in your legs, want to target your glutes, and enjoy standing, rhythm-based movement.

Better Yet: Do Both!

In truth, Barre and Pilates complement each other perfectly. The core strength you build on the mat will give you better balance at the barre. The leg endurance you build at the barre will make your mat Pilates extensions feel lighter and more controlled.

Whether you’re looking for your first Pilates class near London Bridge, or you’re ready to discover muscles you never knew you had at the barre, we’d love to welcome you to our studio.

👉 Ready to meet us at the mat or the barre?

View our timetable and book your class in Southwark today.