We had the absolute honour of having a chat with Renee Scott, the founder of Barre Attack. Ballerina-turned-fitness-instructor, Renee is now the proud creator of a fitness style used by over 10,000 people each week (incredible)!

1. How did you get into the industry?

I was a professional ballet dancer at the Hamburg Ballet School for a number of years. When I retired as a ballerina, I became interested in learning Pilates and had the opportunity to do my training with Romana K (the direct descendent of Joseph Pilates). What I discovered from practicing and teaching Pilates was that the industry was lacking the cardio and standing stability elements of fitness. This is how I developed Barre Attack.

2. What challenges did you face when you first started?

The main challenge was educating the general public on what the Barre form of fitness was, why they should be doing it, and explaining that it didn’t require you to be a ballet dancer! However, after six years of hard work and training, and over 1,000 instructors Australia wide, we now have the general public asking more about Barre Attack, as well as gyms and Pilates studios approaching us to incorporate it into their studios.

3. What makes Barre Attack different to other forms of exercise?

It’s a standing stability workout that is based on core stability and functional fitness. Ideally, it helps you destress, realign, tone, and energise your whole body. It also helps to better your posture, have greater body awareness, and improve your cardiovascular fitness.

Barre Attack is known as “the Barre that will make you sweat”, due to the low-impact cardio intervals throughout the class. The attractive element to this workout is that it has everything you need in the one class — for example, you don’t need to go to a Pilates class then go for a run on the treadmill; Barre Attack allows for a 45-minute power workout that will make you sweat, tone, and feel realigned.

“I’ve always enjoyed empowering and helping people to be the best they can be”

4. What has it been like to create something done by over 10,000 people each week?

In all honestly I haven’t quite grasped it all yet! I still work every day, I still teach, and I really enjoy what I do. I haven’t stepped away from it, it’s still a part of my everyday life. I’ve always enjoyed empowering and helping people to be the best they can be. The Barre Attack teacher training element has been very rewarding, because expressing and sharing my method to teachers means that we can help loads of people in more areas. I thrive off the success of the Barre Attack teacher trainers and businesses.

5. What next? What is your plan for the future of Barre Attack in Australia (or the world)?

Events are the next big thing we’re working on. We want to put on unique and exciting experiences for our community and also for those who haven’t yet tried Barre Attack. We are also expanding by creating online (21- or 30-day) fitness challenges. It’s all very exciting!

If you want to train as a Barre Attack instructor, or want to do an online course, check out Renee’s website! For any Barre Attack classes, simply search for ‘Barre Attack’ online.