- Denise Austin created a barre-inspired workout to do at home.
- The fitness pro shared six moves that target your core, legs, and glutes.
- Here’s how to do the exercises.
Pricey, boutique fitness classes are all the rage these days, but they’re not for everyone. Fortunately, you can get the same benefits from an at-home workout—and experts like Denise Austin are happy to show you how.
Recently, the 69-year-old took to Instagram to share a series of barre-inspired exercises that target your core, legs, and glutes. “You don’t need a fancy studio to get a great barre workout in,” she wrote in the caption accompanying her post. “All you need is a sturdy chair!”
The six moves Austin demonstrates in her post isolate the muscles in your core and the lower half of your body, including your quads, adductors (inner thighs), hamstrings, and glutes. And while they might look easy at first glance—after all, there’s no weights involved—Austin promises they’re sneakily effective. “Small movements, BIG results!!” she wrote, adding, “I promise, you will FEEL IT!”
Keep reading for instructions on how to follow Austin’s recommended workout.
How to do Denise Austin’s at-home barre exercises
Back leg lifts
Stand with your weight on your right foot, your left foot extended backward—toes just grazing the floor—and both hands on the back of the chair for support. Extend your left leg back, keeping your toes pointed, before returning it to the floor. Continue until your desired number of reps are done, then repeat on the other side.
Bent-knee leg raises
Stand on your right foot, with your left knee bent and both hands on the back of the chair for balance. Extend your left leg back and up, keeping the bend in your knee, then return to starting position. Perform all your reps, then repeat on the other side.
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Toe taps
Stand with your right foot on the floor; hold the back of the chair with your right arm and extend your left arm to the side. Extend your left leg in front of your body, toes grazing the floor. Engage your core to keep your body still as you raise your left foot until it’s about hip-height. Reverse the movement to return it to the floor. Complete all your reps, then repeat on the other side.
Cross-body crunch
Begin in a standing position, with your right hand on the back of the chair, your left hand extended toward the ceiling, and your right foot forward. Keep your right hand on the chair as you crunch your right knee up across your body and pull your left elbow to meet it. Return to start. Complete all your reps, then repeat on the other side.
Pulse in relevé
Stand with your feet and knees together, knees bent into a quarter-squat, with your heels off the ground and one arm extended toward the ceiling. Keep your other hand on the chair, as you perform small pulses, moving slightly upward and downward.
Wide-stance plié
Stand with your legs wide, your toes pointed outward, and one arm extended to the side. Keep your other hand on the back of the chair as you bend your knees into a squat and swoop your arm down across your midsection. Push through your heels as you return to starting position. Repeat to complete all your reps.
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