Move · Videos · Pilates · 42 min

42-Minute Barre Arms and Abs Class with Light Weights, All Levels

42-Minute Barre Arms and Abs Class with Light Weights, All Levels — video by Pure Barre Play · 41:51

Video by Pure Barre on YouTube · Open on YouTube

Pure Barre's head of training leads an arms-and-abs barre class with light weights (or none) and a counter for balance: shoulder and biceps work in lunges, push-up series, side planks, curl-ups and tuck work, ending with a stretch. The class starts about four minutes in, after a live welcome.

  • 42 min
  • All levels
  • Low impact (no jumping)
  • dumbbells, mat
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Step by step 13

Tap a time to watch that step in the video.

  1. Warm-up: lunge side to side with the arms reaching up, then windmill reaches to the opposite ankle. 4:09
  2. Light weights: press the arms open to a T, then press up and pull down, and elbow squeezes for the upper back. 5:18
  3. Left foot forward: slow biceps curls as you lunge, then knee-bend pulses pressing the weights together. 7:05
  4. Right foot forward: palms-flipped curls and chest pulses, then shoulder presses with the forearms parallel. 9:03
  5. On the mat: legs on a diagonal with arm switches, curl-ups and bicycles; keep the feet down if needed. 12:06
  6. Push-up series: small push-ups with one knee drawn in, knee pulls, then deeper push-ups and triceps push-ups. 14:28
  7. Right arm, left side to your support: curtsy lunges with reaches, wide and lunge arm work, then a kneeling hinge. 16:50
  8. Left arm: the same curtsy lunges, wide-stance and lunge arm work, then the kneeling hinge. 21:15
  9. Plank: bend and extend one knee at a time, then forearm side planks drawing knee to elbow, then knee jogs. 25:36
  10. Sit-ups with biceps curls, feet on a wall or the floor, then curls while balancing on the tailbone. 27:36
  11. Squats with a twist and knee-to-elbow lift, then balance with the leg extended and the arms opening; each side. 29:55
  12. Seated core with one weight: tuck and roll back an inch, reach, twist side to side, then a second round. 33:00
  13. Stretch: shoulder and triceps stretches, side bends, chest opener, neck stretches, butterfly and a forward fold. 37:16

The steps are a summary in our words, checked against the video — the coach shows every move.

Form cues from the coach

  • Keep a long, flat spine with the core engaged while the arms work
  • Squeeze the muscle on every rep, even without weights
  • Lower the legs or keep the feet down until your core is ready

What it works Whole body

Tap an area for more videos that work it.

Joints it uses 5 takes load

  • Shoulders takes loadpresses, lateral raises with weights, push-ups
  • Elbows takes loadbiceps curls, narrow push-ups
  • Wrists & hands takes loadpush-ups and plank on the hands
  • Hips takes loadlunges, plie squats, one-leg balance holds
  • Knees takes loadlunges, curtsy lunges, kneeling hinges to heels
  • Neck movescurl-ups, sit-ups, neck stretches
  • Upper back movestwists, upper-back squeezes
  • Lower back movessit-ups, tuck and C-curve work
  • Ankles & feet movesheel lifts, one-leg balance
  • Kneeling. Pressure on the kneecaps — a folded towel or cushion under the knees helps.
  • Weight on your hands. The wrists bend back under load. Fists, push-up handles or your forearms ease it.
  • Down on the floor. You get down to the floor and back up again.
  • Rounding or twisting the back. With osteoporosis or a back problem, move smoothly and within comfort, and ask a physio which suit you.
  • Standing on one leg. Keep a chair or a wall within reach.

Easier option from the coach: No weights; push-ups and planks on knees; feet down and legs bent in ab work

A guide to the joints this video’s moves load, from what the coach does — not medical advice. Some ache is normal; stop if a joint hurts sharply. How joints are rated

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Video by Pure Barre; the summary, steps, cues, body areas and joint notes are Notbroken’s, written from what the coach actually does in the video and checked a second time. Warm up first, take the easier options until a move feels easy, and stop if you feel sharp pain, chest pain or dizziness. General instruction, not advice for your body. About & safety