Here\u2019s what she found over three years of training \u2013 and how to incorporate each into your own routine.
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Barre<\/p>\n
Barre is a low-impact workout that blends elements of ballet, Pilates and bodyweight strength training. It uses a ballet barre to support holds, stretches and balance work. A typical class focuses on low-weights, high reps<\/a> and controlled movements to create a deep muscle burn \u2013 as Keltie puts it, \u2018it\u2019s like a Pilates workout and a ballet class had a baby.\u2019<\/p>\n The benefits<\/p>\n Unlike traditional strength training, Barre focuses on muscle endurance<\/a> and precision of movement.<\/p>\n \u2018They\u2019re almost always a full-body workout focused around muscle endurance,\u2019 Keltie says. \u2018The goal is to fatigue each muscle through small, targeted movements with high reps and lighter weight.\u2019<\/p>\n This can help improve muscular endurance and activate smaller, often underused muscles. Keltie notes she often turns to Barre when she\u2019s \u2018struggling to get my glutes firing\u2019.<\/p>\n It can also help improve range of motion, thanks to its emphasis on stretching and lengthened movements.<\/p>\n Where it falls short<\/p>\n If your goal is noticeable muscle growth<\/a>, Barre is unlikely to deliver on its own. And when it comes to weight loss, \u2018that really comes down to your calorie expenditure,\u2019 says Keltie.<\/p>\n Who it suits<\/p>\n Barre is a solid option if you want a low-impact workout<\/a> that still delivers a burn without placing too much stress on the joints.<\/p>\n It works particularly well alongside a regular strength routine, helping to target smaller muscles and build endurance. \u2018If you\u2019re doing consistent strength training, I would recommend only doing it once or twice a week,\u2019 Keltie adds.<\/p>\n Keltie\u2019s verdict<\/p>\n Keltie finds Barre useful for honing in on smaller muscle groups and improving mind-muscle connection. \u2018Barre is great for getting that muscle connection firing,\u2019 she says.<\/p>\n That said, she didn\u2019t notice dramatic changes in performance and found it could feel repetitive over time. It\u2019s the workout she turns to for movement, a burn and a social atmosphere \u2013 rather than major transformation.<\/p>\n Keltie\u2019s Barre practice improvement over three years<\/p>\n Pilates<\/p>\n Pilates has surged in popularity, with formats ranging from mat to reformer<\/a> and clinical sessions. Originally developed by Joseph Pilates, it\u2019s designed to move the body through a full range of motion while improving posture, balance and muscle endurance.<\/p>\n The benefits<\/p>\n One of Pilates\u2019 biggest strengths is accessibility. While studio classes can be expensive, there are plenty of at-home options available.<\/p>\n It\u2019s particularly effective for improving posture and addressing muscular imbalances. Keltie says she uses it to \u2018work on posture imbalances\u2026 [and] strengthen some of my weaker muscles\u2019.<\/p>\n It also helps build strength in stabilising muscles and can support recovery. Keltie adds it \u2018maintained muscle strength when I was injured\u2019 and works well as cross-training.<\/p>\n Where it falls short<\/p>\n Like Barre, Pilates isn\u2019t designed for significant muscle growth. As Keltie puts it: \u2018Is it going to get you the world\u2019s biggest booty? No\u2026 if you want the strongest squat in the world, no.\u2019<\/p>\n Who it suits<\/p>\n Pilates is well suited to those recovering from injury or looking to improve general movement quality.<\/p>\n You can take a more clinical approach by working with a physiotherapist, or opt for instructor-led classes focused on control and alignment.<\/p>\n Keltie also highlights it as an effective complement to other training, noting it\u2019s \u2018great cross-training for my running\u2019.<\/p>\n Keltie\u2019s verdict<\/p>\n For Keltie, Pilates ranks second. She credits it with improving posture and supporting recovery, particularly when it comes to strengthening stabilising muscles.<\/p>\n \u2018It\u2019s a component of your workout, not your full workout,\u2019 she says.<\/p>\n Keltie\u2019s Pilates practice improvement over three years<\/p>\n Yoga<\/p>\n Yoga is a holistic practice that combines movement, breathwork and mental focus. Rooted in traditional Indian practice, it uses sequences of poses and breathing patterns to build strength, improve mobility and support mental wellbeing.<\/p>\n Modern yoga includes a range of styles \u2013 from dynamic Vinyasa flows to slower, restorative sessions like Yin.<\/p>\n The benefits<\/p>\n Yoga is where Keltie saw the most transformative impact \u2013 particularly mentally.<\/p>\n She describes it as \u2018half meditation\u2019, highlighting its ability to calm the mind. \u2018We all need a little yoga for the mind,\u2019 she says.<\/p>\n Physically, it can help improve mobility and flexibility, while encouraging better body awareness. \u2018It\u2019s the first practice I\u2019ve ever done where I just connected with my body,\u2019 she adds.<\/p>\n Where it falls short<\/p>\n Yoga isn\u2019t a complete strength programme. Keltie points out that focusing too heavily on flexibility without strength training can lead to imbalances: \u2018You can become too flexible and not strong enough.\u2019<\/p>\n She also notes the over-commercialisation of the practice, which can sometimes strip away its core elements like breathwork and mindfulness.<\/p>\n Who it suits<\/p>\n Yoga is ideal if you\u2019re looking to improve flexibility, reduce stress and build a stronger mind-body connection.<\/p>\n It can also be a useful addition to a strength routine, helping to release tight muscles and support recovery.<\/p>\n Keltie\u2019s verdict<\/p>\n Yoga is Keltie\u2019s top pick. Its ability to combine mobility, mindfulness and enjoyment makes it the most well-rounded of the three.<\/p>\n While it may not deliver the same strength-focused benefits as Pilates, its impact on overall wellbeing sets it apart.<\/p>\n Keltie\u2019s yoga practice improvement over three years<\/p>\n Having a strong core is about far more than sporting a six-pack. Build functional mid-section strength \u2013 while also improving your power, posture, coordination and balance \u2013 with WH COLLECTIVE coach Izy George\u2019s 4-week core challenge. Download the Women\u2019s Health UK app to access the full training plan today.<\/p>\n Get the app<\/a><\/p>\n Isabelle Knevett is the Fashion Features Editor at Women\u2019s Health, bringing a wealth of experience in media and fashion since 2019. She has led high-impact PR campaigns for global giants like Adidas and Reebok and has reported on everything from fashion analysis and shopping trends, to deep dive features and investigative reporting. A former professional dancer, she understands the value of quality gym and activewear, making her a true expert in the field. Her work has been featured in Marie Claire Australia<\/a>, ELLE Australia<\/a>, Australian Women\u2019s Weekly<\/a>, WHO<\/a> and more. When she\u2019s not buried in a fashion magazine or sweating it out the gym or dance studio, you\u2019ll find her reading or writing about fashion, feminism and global politics.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"With a million and one workout classes, methods and so-called miracle routines out there, it can be hard…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":396212,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[137329,137328,7157,188067,637,589,163,85,46,636,188065,140310,188066],"class_list":{"0":"post-396211","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-fitness","8":"tag-collection-fitness-app","9":"tag-collection-pilates","10":"tag-content-type-default","11":"tag-contentid-d885e54b-eff6-44f4-bbd2-d0fae8cef428","12":"tag-displaytype-standard-article","13":"tag-fitness","14":"tag-health","15":"tag-il","16":"tag-israel","17":"tag-locale-gb","18":"tag-shorttitle-i-did-pilates","19":"tag-subsection-yoga","20":"tag-yoga-and-barre-for-three-years"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/396211","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=396211"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/396211\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/396212"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=396211"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=396211"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=396211"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"keltie's](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/d02bfecc-51dc-430e-8995-d6fc78045bb7.png\" "\\"keltie's")
Youtube \/@keltieoconner<\/p>\n![\"two](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/8b6c3da3-f838-49d3-920b-3b659c8565dc.png\" "\\"two")
Youtube \/@keltieoconner<\/p>\n![\"yoga](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/5ffa3854-3661-44b9-8f72-bfabbc6c2593.png\" "\\"yoga")
Youtube \/@keltieoconner<\/p>\n![\"izy](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/010894b2-b436-40be-8d99-602ed3e1ec5b.jpg\" "\\"Izy")
<\/a>More yoga, Pilates and Barre: ![\"Headshot](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1776390076_192_fcb66243-6c6a-49fe-a0a8-3e37cb094ce1_1719330144.file.png\" "\\"Headshot")
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