A barre instructor recommends these two moves for beginners who want to improve their core strength and posture without equipment

Building a strong core can boost more than just your workouts. It can lower your risk of injury, help you manage back pain and make everyday movements—like getting up from a chair, carrying things and walking—feel easier.

Developing core strength can also support your posture—a central theme in barre, a type of low-impact movement that combines the principles of ballet, Pilates and yoga.

Barre instructor Tara Riley says the barre method is often underrated for targeting the core, compared with Pilates. “Barre is a little bit sneaky in terms of core muscles, because you often don’t feel like you’re working your core,” she says.

“But the more you do barre the better your posture becomes, because it encourages you to stand up tall, which also works the core muscles,” Riley adds.

Riley has shared two beginner-friendly barre moves that will help you develop core strength to benefit your posture—no equipment needed.

Two barre moves for developing core strength

1. Plie-oblique crunch

Reps: 10-12

How to do it:

• Stand with your feet wider than shoulder-width apart and toes turned out—this is called second position.
• Interlock your fingers behind your head, elbows pointing out to the sides.
• Bend your knees to lower into a plie, keeping your back straight and chest facing forward.
• Bend at your waist to the right, moving your right elbow towards your right knee, still keeping your chest facing forward.
• Return to the center and repeat on the other side.
• Continue, alternating sides with each rep.

2. Diamond crunch

Reps: 8

How to do it:

• Sit on the floor with your knees out to the side and your feet arched, and your heels and big toes touching.
• Extend your arms in front of you and engage your core, then lower your torso, slightly curling the spine, until your torso is at a 45° angle to the floor.
• Lift your torso and bring your left foot towards your right hand.
• Lower your torso to 45° and return your left foot to the starting position.
• Repeat on the other side, alternating sides with each rep.