Martina Capuano’s barre doesn’t require experience and there’s no fancy footwork involved.

What she offers is an eight-class challenge: do your bit to lift and tone and you are guaranteed a noticeable change in shape.

“Barre is a fusion of yoga, Pilates and ballet barre,” Mrs Capuano said. “Specific exercises are used to target the arms, abs, seat and thighs. It’s effective in shaping the body, challenging muscles in different ways. Clients see results in as little as eight 50-minute classes. I fell in love with it because it’s a low-impact workout that’s fun and effective.”

The exercises became a hit with celebrities after German dancer Lotte Berk developed them in London in 1959.

Joan Collins and Barbara Streisand were fans then; Kelly Ripa and Madonna are among today’s converts.

“Barre is becoming more and more popular because of how effective it is,” said Mrs Capuano who discovered barre in Vancouver, Canada several years ago and started teaching classes here in 2012.

“It’s really addictive and been really well received by the community. There are a plethora of celebs going to barre and who are barre converts.”

Mrs Capuano’s studio, BarreOne Physique, is located at 15 Burnaby Street, on the top floor of the building that houses Jackson School of Dance.

The fitness expert moved here from British Columbia eight years ago.

Injury forced the once avid skier and gymnast to find alternate ways to exercise. She turned to yoga, and did that for ten years, before she discovered “a couple studios in Vancouver” offering barre.

“Being a girl, going to the gym can be kind of intimidating, so coming to the barre was a way for me to get my exercise in a way that was effective and fun,” she said. “I was so excited when I found barre. It allowed me to get a great workout that was high intensity and low impact

The barre instructor is a certified mat and standing Pilates teacher.

She’s also a registered yoga teacher with 200 hours’ training behind her.

“The community of students at barre is truly inspiring. There is a sense of connection and empowerment that continuously drives me to be a better instructor. The great thing about barre is it’s low-impact and everybody works at own level. You don’t need to be a dancer, to be flexible or even coordinated. Everyone comes as they are and builds from there. Do what you can. It’s a fun workout that’s effective and makes you feel longer and stronger.”

Group, corporate and private classes are all on offer. The workout is suitable for every age.

“We have clients ranging from their late teens to into their 70s,” Mrs Capuano said. “Barre changes the body in a way that makes you feel longer and stronger. The work we do in class goes beyond the 50-minute workout; it brings mindfulness to the way we move everyday.”

• Visit www.barre1.com