Obese couple shed 123lbs combined thanks to barre workouts

'I thought barre was a fad class where everyone just pointed their toes to the music but when I was in for a real surprise when I went to my first class'

When you picture a gruelling workout, you’re more likely to imagine a high-intensity sweat-fest than a civilised dance class.

However, one Florida-based couple managed to shift 123lbs between them from just that.

Introducing barre: the trendy ballet-inspired workout that's taking the celebrity fitness scene by storm.

Atira, 36, and Patrick Charles, 39, were both morbidly obese before embarking upon their barre regime, which saw them going to the strength and conditioning classes up to five times a week for 14 months.

'I became obsessed with Barre. I was going between four and five times a week' (SWNS) (SWNS.com)

Prior to dropping the weight, both Atira and Charles weighed close to 300lbs, with Atira tipping the scales at 286lbs and Patrick at 290lbs.

The duo decided to lose weight to be healthier for their children, with the mother-of-three claiming she felt like a “walrus”.

Atira says the ballet-inspired exercise is now her favourite way to workout (SWNS.com)

Discussing her first experiences with barre - which is a firm favourite amongst celebrities such as Drew Barrymore and Victoria’s Secret model Candice Swanepoel - Atira explained she felt intimidated “because barre is usually marketed to skinny blonde white girls with a bun".

“I was the heaviest person there," she said, "I was the oldest person in the class and I was the only black girl.”

The couple saw substantial weight loss results after doing barre classes for just over a year (SWNS.com)

Eventually, Atira learned to love the workout, which was slower in pace than anything she had tried before.

It wasn’t long before she managed to convince her husband - who had previously only ever done strength training - to join her.

“When I persuaded him to come with me, he was sweating profusely and couldn't believe how hard it was. It was funny to watch,” she said

Patrick added he had initially dismissed barre as a “fad class where everyone just pointed their toes to the music” but was completely taken aback by the intensity when he tried it.

'We look at each other more and after 20 years together it’s given us something new to talk about and something new to explore' (SWNS)

“I was almost doubled over. There were other guys in the class and none of us could believe how much of a work out it was,” he said.

One reason why barre is a preferred workout method for those who have always lived in fear of the gym is that it's low intensity, meaning clients are less likely to get injured, explains Emily King, a trainer at Barrecore. So, if it's less intense than other exercises, how can it be just as effective?

"At Barrecore we use isometric and eccentric contractions in our workouts to help clients create lean, strong, toned muscles, which in turn help create a fat burning effect that can last for up to four days post workout," she told The Independent, adding that clients can start seeing results after just eight sessions.

A spokesperson from Frame, which offers barre and cardio barre classes, explained that barre is a full body workout, including everything from fat burning intervals to burn-inducing core work, which can help fire up your metabolism and target smaller muscles that are typically hard to reach in traditional workout routines.

Now, the 36-year-old business professor and the 39-year-old nursery school owner regularly attend barre classes together.

They have also adjusted their dietary habits, swapping calorific takeaways for low-carbohydrate, protein-rich dishes such as tofu and grilled vegetables.

“A few months ago, my typical day would start at a drive-thru, I would have cheese and egg biscuits and a large sweet ice-tea," Atira said.

Now, she explains their relationship is stronger than ever thanks to their healthier lifestyles.

"It's really changed our relationship for the better, we're more active and we're just happier," Patrick said.

"Going on this journey together has been great because you always have your cheerleader motivating you and giving you those compliments which keep you going."