Workout of the Month: Britsbarre Virtual Studio

Brittany Shimansky is a former professional ballerina turned celebrity barre trainer. After retiring from her dance career in New York City, she began her fitness career at Flywheel Sports where she quickly became one of the most in-demand master barre instructors in NYC. Her celebrity clientele included stars such as Jennifer Lawrence, Elsa Hosk and Karlie Kloss. 

Barre has been there for Brit in supporting her movement and strength during her pregnancy, providing muscular endurance for unmedicated labor, and rehabilitating her body postpartum during COVID. In May 2021, Brit launched Britsbarre Virtual Studio. 

Today, she lives in Austin with her husband and 2-year-old daughter. She’s also pre/postnatal certified training specialist and a National Academy of Sports Medicine certified personal trainer. 

What is the Britsbarre Virtual Studio?

The Britsbarre Virtual Studio is a barre app designed to empower you to have a lifelong, passionate relationship with movement. Britsbarre’s low-impact, high-repetition, endurance-driven classes promote lean muscle development and a defined physique. Whether you have five or 50 minutes, there’s a class that will fit into your schedule. Brit’s mission is to support you in moving from a place of power and appreciation for what your body’s capable of as you reach your goals. When movement becomes something you look forward to instead of something you “have to” do, that’s where the magic happens.

What can you expect from a Britsbarre workout? 

Every musically-driven class is designed to inspire you to move with joy and includes modifications for all levels and pre/postnatal modifications. Brit’s style of barre is athletic yet approachable and requires no former dance training or a lot of flexibility. There are over 150+ classes on demand. 

How do I take a class with Brit?

Classes are available on the Britsbarre Virtual Studio app on Apple and Android or in Austin through Mod Fitness and Commodore Perry Estates. New workouts are added every week. You can get your first month free with code AUSTINFIT at britsbarre.com.

The Workout: 3 Barre Moves With a Chair

Glutes

This exercise will strengthen and define your glutes and hamstrings.

• Place your hands on the chair and step your feet back underneath your hips.
• Extend your right leg straight behind you with pointed toes. 
• Lift and lower your straight leg for two minutes. Repeat on the left side.
• Brit tip: Keep your hips square and core engaged. Make it fun by putting on your favorite upbeat song and moving to the beat of the music!

Plank

This exercise will strengthen and define your arms, core and glutes. 

• Place your feet on the chair and your hands under your shoulders in a high plank. 
• Lift your right leg into the air and bring your knee to your chest then fully extend your leg behind you for one rep. Repeat 16 times.
• Repeat on the left side. 

To modify: Place hands on a chair instead of feet.

Abs

This exercise will strengthen and define your upper abdominals, obliques and inner thighs.

• Place a 9-inch pilates ball or firm pillow between your inner thighs and then put your heels on the chair. Stack your knees over your hips.
• Bring your hands together and make a big rainbow with your arms reaching from right hip over the top of your body to your left hip. Repeat 16 times.
• Bring your hands behind your head with elbows wide. Lift and lower your chest for an abdominal crunch. Repeat 16 times. 
• Repeat both exercises; aim for three rounds. 
• Brit tip: Keep a tight squeeze on the ball/pillow to activate your inner thighs and help keep your hips stable. 

Connect with Brit on Instagram: @britsbarre @britsbarrevirtualstudio