Would like your thoughts on a training technique

I'm going to say that approach might be a little drastic. Also, if you're adept at open chords don't reinvent yourself. I have heard people say learning to play an open E with your 2nd, 3rd, 4th fingers helped them transition into an "f shaped" bar chord easier. I guess I can sort of see this but I never did it. If you read the threads (and there have been tons of them), the secret is simple...practice, practice and when you're finished practice some more. I'm not sure there's a training secret other than that.  Really, they do suck to learn but you'll be glad you invested the time. It'll make you a more well rounded player and open opportunities you won't have with open chords.

Hope this helps

Nobody learns barre chords overnight. In order to learn barre chords you have to dedicate yourself to a lotta practice. There is no Holy Grail type of system that benifit you in learning these chords other than practice. Using different fingerings to for chords will help with both barre chords and open chords so this is something you need to learn. To me, the easist chord progression to learn will be in the Key of "C". This will be an open "C" chord, "E" shaped barre chord (index finger barring 1st fret), and a ""E" shaped barre chord (index finger barring 3rd fret). Practice the chord changes as such. C to F to C to G to F to C and repeat. Once you get this progression down you can move on to other barre chord fingerings such as the dreaded "A" shaped barre chords.

Nela

You will find all kinds of techniques to learn, but the best method of all is the one that works for you.  I might just try your method, because I am the same as you.  Been playing open chords for years.  Now it is hard finger them differently.  But, whichever method you try, like stated above, Practice, practice, practice.  I wish you the best of luck and hope your method works for you.

Z, it's not so much that you learn the alternate fingerings first, then go after the barre's; you learn the alternate fingerings when you learn the barre's, and then they are available to you whenever you need them.  I almost never use the "three finger" A chord shape anymore; I figured out how to do the A-form barre with the middle and index fingers, and now I can use just the middle finger to make the A shape -- much easier, faster to change to and from.

The MOST IMPORTANT THING to remember when learning barre chords is not to try and clamp the chord with your thumb.  That will only lead to pain (oh, so much pain) and frustration.  Your thumb is just a guide.  Keep your fingers stiff and pull the chord in from your shoulder, using your arm.  Barre chords are almost effortless, once you learn how to do them RIGHT.