Barre Blend Review and Workout Results on BODi

Are you looking for a challenging low-impact home fitness program featuring the ballet-like movements of Barre exercises, combined with Pilates and cardio? Check out this VERY honest review of the “Barre Blend” workout program on the BODi app with “Super Trainer” Elise Joan (plus my results) to see if it might be a fit for your wellbeing goals!

First, some background: My name is Lillie and I’m a 44-year-old teacher and mama who has now written THIRTY ultra-detailed, geeky BODi workout program reviews. I actually DO every single video of every single program I review, taking copious notes along the way, meaning that these reviews are written from first-hand, real-life experience (and a lot of sweat) in order to best help you find exercise paths that are a match for YOU.

“Barre Blend” Overview

For context, the “Barre Blend” workout program was launched on BODi (at the time called “Beachbody”) in November of 2019, and is led by “Super Trainer” Elise Joan, who later went on to record several other programs, such as “BODi LAVA.” “Barre Blend” is a supposedly “Intermediate Level” program that consists of 8 weeks of 5 days a week (with two rest days) of ballet-like, low-impact movements that combine with Pilates and cardio to build long, lean muscle through videos of 30-45 minutes a day — ramping up in time and intensity in each of the four “Phases.”

Disclaimer: Always use wise judgment when starting any new fitness routine in order to avoid injury, even if it’s a shorter one like “25 Minute Speed Train.” Listen to your body, modify as needed, and consult a medical professional to address issues. Still interested? Let’s investigate equipment…

Note: Some links here are affiliates that provide a commission upon purchase at no additional cost to you.

Equipment Needed for “Barre Blend”

There are two ways to access the full “Barre Blend” workout program. One is by purchasing a full subscription to BODi: Click here to see current deals for this, and use the sale code LILLIEFIT25 for 25% off the price of full subscriptions. This is a nice route because it also includes over 140 other programs in the bundle.

The other option is to purchase the program individually, which you can do at this link here. Use the code LILLIEFIT15 at checkout for 15% off if you do the latter path.

The signature piece of equipment you’ll need for the program is a makeshift “Barre” (raised support) to hold onto for balancing moves. You can use any counter, stool, high-backed chair or other similar object. I sometimes even leveraged my weightlifting bench from “Dig Deeper,” propped to the upright position, but I wouldn’t recommend that since it was wobbly.

Next, you’ll want workout loops like these, and very light weights of 1-2 pounds. For these tiny weights (which feel heavy REAAAAL quick with Elise’s burning workouts), you can see in the photo below that I actually just used 1-pound inserts that I removed from my ankle weights‘ adjustable pouches.

You will also need a mat for the many floor moves. I would recommend a thicker mat like this to cushion feet and avoid injury, as I’ll explain in the next section.

Finally, as I’ll explain in the section about foot injuries, I find that compression socks make a huge difference in keeping legs and feet happy during all workouts — but especially “Barre Blend,” which is done with no shoes. My bony feet particularly enjoy this brand and style of compression sock because of the heel padding. (Note that Elise does Barre barefoot, but that doesn’t work for my build.)

Barre Blend Review

So let’s cut to the chase: How did I like “Barre Blend,” compared to the 29 other programs I’ve done and reviewed? Well, the answer is complicated. To summarize: I hated it, but also loved it, and highly recommend it. Here’s the elaboration…

Problems with “BB”

1. “Barre Blend” is REALLY HARD.

I’m going to be honest with you… it took me FIVE YEARS to complete “Barre Blend.” Five freaking years! I started the program all the way back in 2020 (!!!) and kept quitting because with my 6-foot-tall frame, the ballet-like moves were so difficult. Physics is real, and long levers are tough.

Finally, enough readers wrote in asking me to complete and review the program that I gritted my teeth and got it done… in 2025. I don’t regret it, because as I’ll explain in the “Positives” section, I think “Barre Blend” is a very important, worthwhile, useful, and effective program — but it is not for the faint of heart!

I am at a pretty darn Advanced workout level, and have a TON of fitness experience, but the moves in Barre are so different from standard weightlifting and cardio that they will humble the most muscular gal or guy. I will say that this variety is one reason I recommend the program so strongly… but be warned that the “Intermediate” categorization is deceiving, and you’ll almost certainly have to add in extra modifications or pauses along the way!

2. Modifications are sometimes delayed.

To avoid injury or exhaustion, this checking of one’s ego at the door of “Barre Blend” is key, because modifications are sometimes delayed, or are not shown on camera for more than a few seconds. Like the Advanced program, “6 Weeks of the Work,” to complete this program safely, you absolutely must be able to listen to your body to add extra modifications: Change the range of motion, slow the pace, or take a break when needed.

Trust me — you’ll get an opportunity from Day 1 to do this. Right off the bat in “Barre Blend,” there is a push-up series followed by a Barre booty burn sequence that I would be surprised if anyone could do without pauses or mods!

3. Moves and talking are essentially nonstop.

Like Autumn Calabrese in “80 Day Obsession,” Elise Joan is a wonder of nature in that she can move and talk nonstop for the entire 30-45 minute length of each “Barre Blend” workout. Unfortunately, many of us mere mortals cannot, so be prepared to hit “Pause” more often than you usually do, which extends the time of each workout. I will say that it’s a triumphant day when one makes it through an entire video in this program without stopping, so that’s a fun goal to reach for!

4. “Barre Blend” ramps up a LOT in time and intensity.

While Day 1 of “Barre Blend” is a difficult 30 minutes, by Week 8, you’re looking at nearly 45 minutes straight of intense moves. While it’s good for the body to progress moves, I do find that programs that increase in time each week can be harder to complete, since it throws off the scheduling groove due to the time slot changes — versus something like “Job 1” with Jennifer Jacobs which is just 20 minutes each time. Psyching oneself up for half an hour is quite different from budgeting nearly a full hour!

Further, while an 8-week program is more likely to result in noticeable results, that length of time is daunting for some to complete. If this is the case for you, it may be better to start with an “easy win” 3-week program like “21 Day Fix.”

5. I missed lifting heavy.

One of people’s main concerns with “Barre Blend” is whether they’ll lose muscle gains due to the light 1-2 pound weights in the program. For me, that’s not really the issue, because you’ll still keep muscle with this program. Rather, the real issue is emotionally missing heavy lifting!

In my world, wielding my 20-pound dumbbells for heavy lifting programs like Joel Freeman’s “LIIFT MORE” is therapy. Yes, I got a good workout and excellent results with “Barre Blend,” but the exercise high you get from it is a totally different kind, and I missed the other one.

Given this, (and given the positives of the program that I’ll explain in the next section), I really think that “Barre Blend” is best as a hybrid that you sprinkle in 1-3 times a week, mixed with a more traditional fitness program. On its own, it just didn’t feel complete to me due to the lack of big weights. Your preferences may vary!

6. The vibe of “Barre Blend” may not be a match…

Speaking of preferences, please note that the vibe of Elise and “Barre Blend” is NOT a match for everyone. Some people find it cloying or cheesy, or almost performatively “feminine,” and some chafe at the “Daily Motivation Cards” that the trainer reads at the start of each workout, such as “I Am Centered,” and their accompanying inspiring speeches.

I started this program so long ago that I was still married at the time (I’m now happily and amicably divorced), and my then-husband laughed so hard during all the monologues when he tried the program. As I’ll explain in the “Positives” section, I actually enjoyed the speeches, but many people prefer other verbal styles.

7. Use caution to avoid foot injuries (and others).

“Barre Blend” is supposed to be done barefoot, but as we age, the padding on the bottom of our feet fades away, and shoeless workouts can cause discomfort and even injury. Monitor carefully for this, and consider proactively working to prevent these issues by wearing compression socks and doing all moves on a squishy mat or thick rug with a yoga mat on top. For moves done balancing with raised heels, you can modify by lowering your heels to have feet flat on the ground.

Further, “Barre Blend” leverages numerous fast back-and-forth and twisting moves (like the Shaun T dance workout program “Let’s Get Up“), knee bends, arm raises, and ankle balancing that are very different from what we’re used to on a daily basis, or even in classic exercise. Be fearless about adding your own modifications as you listen to your body and slow or change moves as needed to avoid injury.

8. There’s no on-screen timer, and music can’t be turned off.

It drove me crazy that “Barre Blend” doesn’t have an on-screen timer, because each video was so chock-full of moves that I could swear 15 minutes had gone by… when it turned out to only be three. So demoralizing!

On top of this, there is background music in the program, which some people dig, but the bummer for people who dislike it is that there is no way to turn it off, in contrast to “For Beginners Only” with Lacee Green where you can.

9. Equipment needs juggling.

Though its equipment is nowhere near as complex as “9 Week Control Freak,” you will need to do some logistical juggling with the physical parts of “Barre Blend” since it goes between standing without any props, to Barre work, to floor mat work. I found myself moving around my computer and makeshift “Barre” several times each video.

10. Cast may not be ideal for your taste.

The cast of “Barre Blend” is all female (despite the fact that Barre can be highly beneficial for men), and is relatively homogenous, which can be frustrating for those who like to see a range of ages and body types. Though there is one lovely cast member representing other styles, it’s a bit awkward how she’s the only one, and I wished there was more of a mix, as with “Muscle Burns Fat #mbf.”

11. “Barre Blend” has repetitive elements.

If you prefer variety, the repetitions in “Barre Blend” may be frustrating. For example, the same long warm-up repeats over and over. That said, there are so many new-to-most-people elements in the program that sometimes the repetition can be comforting. Speaking of looking on the bright side, let’s explore the great things about “Barre Blend…”

Positives of “Barre Blend”

A. Results are AMAZING, plus important moves for functional mobility, flexibility, and balance.

Elise isn’t lying when she says that this program will sculpt your body with long, lean muscle. As you can see from these photos, the slimming and toning results I got from “Barre Blend” are unmistakable — especially in the core, rear, and arms.

On top of the visual benefits, however, “Barre Blend” is an immensely important program to do (at least in hybrid, intermittent form) because of the functional mobility and balance gains. If you’re only doing classic lifting programs like “LIIFT4,” you’ll end up feeling stiff and constricted, which isn’t good for healthy, safe aging.

The twisting, flowing, balancing, stretching movements of “Barre Blend” made me feel far more limber and, well, GOOD when I began doing them regularly instead of just straight weightlifting. (“Chop Wood, Carry Water” had a similar effect.) You’ll see your posture improve, and everyday functional movements become easier. This program is tough, but worth it!

B. Modifications up or down, plus low-impact.

Something great about “Barre Blend” is that nearly every exercise is presented with options to modify it up or down: adding extra challenges, or making it easier to access. This means that you can customize the program to your level, and essentially do a whole new version of it if you repeat the whole thing.

For example, you can do the entire program without a single jump, making it low impact, or you can add in the bonus jumps, twists and extended range of motion. The biggest modification I kept coming back to was putting my feet flat on the floor instead of holding “tippy toes” during movements.

C. “Barre Blend” has inspiring speeches.

Though some people chafe at Elise’s ongoing monologue, I found her speeches highly inspirational and motivating. As with “645” with Amoila Cesar, listening to them certainly helped pass the time during tough exercises, and shifted my mindset long after I left the mat.

D. Nice to be challenged and educated in something different.

Part of what makes “Barre Blend” so tough is that it’s very different than the kind of exercise most of us do — and that’s a good thing. It’s healthy for our brain and body to essentially be “cross-training” in varied moves beyond the calisthenics and weightlifting of, say, “Tough Mudder T-Minus 30,” and throughout the “BB” program, it was cool to learn ballet and Pilates terms and try them out!

Elise takes this education component seriously, and the camera work assists in showing different views of how to do each exercise while Elise cues form. T’was rather thrilling to explore what my body is capable of… far beyond what I previously thought possible.

Not only did “Barre Blend” provide variety from my usual workout routine, but it also gives exciting variety within each video. Every workout has a range of standing, Barre, and floor moves, integrating cardio, flexility, mobility, strength, and more in a nourishing stew.

E. Equipment is relatively minimal.

Because 1-2 pound weights feel like 100 when you’re doing those pulsing repeated leg lifts, you actually need very little equipment for “Barre Blend.” This is useful for those who are tired of needing to continually buy more and bigger dumbbells as is required for something like “Sure Thing” with Megan Davies.

F. The music in “Barre Blend” isn’t bad.

Because you can’t turn off the music in “Barre Blend,” it’s useful to know that the “baked-in” music isn’t bad. I did enjoy having it playing in the background, and it added to the dance-like feel of the program — much like “XB Sweat + Sculpt” with Andrea Rogers.

G. The program makes you feel GOOD.

There is something about those graceful, flowing, “taking up space,” dance-like movements that the human body craves. I almost always felt my mood lift after a “Barre Blend” video, and noticed my entire body and spirit felt better for the following day — even though I repeatedly had to pause and modify the workout!

H. There are excellent “Add-Ons.”

“Barre Blend” comes with a TON of 10-15 minute “enhancement” videos so you can add extra targeting of certain body areas or workout styles on top of a Barre workout, or in its place if you’re short on time. Elise also has a number of Prenatal workouts in that tab. (Note: When pregnant, always consult a doctor before adding new exercise.)

I. The “Barre” prop truly enhances exercises.

At first I thought holding on to a makeshift “Barre” was just a gimmick, but it truly allows you to isolate muscles (especially glutes!) and get deeper into exercises than possible without it. The prop also helps challenge and support balance development, as you can adjust the amount you’re leaning on the Barre to boost the wobble factor and build those stability muscles.

J. “Barre Blend” is perfect as a hybrid.

Though I usually recommend doing a program all the way through as designed in order to get the full effects, I do think that “Barre Blend” is particularly well suited to a hybrid where you alternate Elise’s videos with a standard weightlifting program in order to mix mobility, balance, and flexibility with more traditional weightlifting and cardio. In fact, in some ways that’s what the wonderful “Fire and Flow” program does for you, though that’s more yoga and flowing-like than ballet-like.

Personally, I created my own hybrid of “Barre Blend” with Caroline Girvan’s “IRON Series” on YouTube, which is a famous free weightlifting program. The two workout series complemented each other PERFECTLY for full-body functional wellbeing and strength.

“Barre Blend” vs. Other BODi Programs

There are a number of similar workout programs to “Barre Blend” on the BODi fitness platform that bear explicit comparisons to point out the similarities and differences. Here are the main four…

“BODi LAVA” vs. “Barre Blend”

Though “BODi LAVA” is also by Elise and has some similar moves to “Barre Blend,” I found “BODi LAVA” easier (though it’s still hard!) and more interesting than “BB” because it’s less about ballet and more about primal yoga moves. For this reason, I would recommend starting with “LAVA” and moving to “BB” after if you enjoy Elise’s style and want more.

“Xtend Barre” vs. “Barre Blend”

Andrea Roger’s “Xtend Barre” program on BODi (originally on OpenFit) is different from “Barre Blend” because it’s only 30 days, is slightly less brutally difficult, and features a personality style that might feel more of a match for some, since Andrea is professional, clear, and not as flowery in her speech as Elise. Between the two programs, it could be good to start with “Xtend Barre” because it feels easier for those reasons and it’s more classic Barre with less cardio, but I will say that “BB” feels more like a cohesive journey because it’s so long and progresses so clearly, meaning I would not ultimately skip it — “Barre Blend” is worth it to try.

“Barre Blend” Original vs. “Super Block”

As you may have seen on the BODi platform, there exists the original 8-week “Barre Blend” program, then there’s a new 3-week “Super Block” filmed a few years later in front of a screen of people working out at home on Zoom. Though I haven’t done the latter yet, my general feeling is that original programs are much better than Super Blocks because they feel more polished and complete.

“4 Weeks for Every Body” vs. “Barre Blend”

Autumn Calabrese’s no-impact strength program, “4 Weeks for Every Body” could be a great program to do right before “Barre Blend.” Though “4WFEB” is about weightlifting, the slower, low-impact moves lend themselves well to leading into Barre next.

Barre Blend Review, in Sum

To summarize, “Barre Blend” with Elise Joan will make you scream, curse, and throw things at the screen due to how uniquely challenging it is… but it’s a totally worthwhile program to do because of its epic results in long, lean muscle, mobility, balance, and flexibility. It works particularly well as a hybrid, mixed with a more traditional weightlifting and HIIT program like “4 Weeks of Focus.”

To browse deals to get access to this program, tap this link here. If you’ve done this program, what were your thoughts? If you haven’t done it yet, what questions do you have? Do share in the comments section below!