Since falling out of love with HIIT, I've been constantly on the hunt for low-impact yet highly effective workouts that promise to improve my strength and endurance. As a woman hurtling towards menopause, I've had to change how I exercise to align with my body's changing needs and abilities recently. That said, this doesn't mean I want to step off the gas and allow my fitness to stall.
And you know who is fitter and stronger than pretty much anyone? Ballet dancers. My love affair with barre and Pilates (find me a Pilates instructor who hasn't also been a dancer) has opened my eyes to exactly how hard-core seemingly simple moves are. Let me tell you, it takes some serious strength to hold a plie for more than a few seconds.
