Let's Talk About Ballet Barre
- Lorra Paoletti
- Jan 25
- 4 min read
Ballet barre is another way to get fit and have fun while exercising. The exercises are for anyone who wants to achieve their fitness goals in a different and exciting way. Classes range from beginner to advanced levels, so anyone can join in and experiment with the different options. Many classes can be joined online or attended in-person at local barre studios. Or if at first, this is too intimidating, one can find some short routines on YouTube, to see if this would be an exercise program, that they could possibly add to their weekly fitness routine.
Some people who have friends and family members that are already taking barre classes get to personally see their health benefits. For example, their loved ones may have lost weight and achieved greater physical strength from taking barre classes. Others may be curious to know specific results from case studies of barre class participants. There have been some studies showing the positive impacts from doing barre exercise routines. For instance, a study that involved 35 young women (ages 21-35), was found to have a positive impact on their circulatory system, thus improving the physical wellbeing of the participants. Additionally, the conclusions of the study state that including ballet barre fitness classes in colleges and universities would greatly benefit young women. Another study found that participants felt better emotionally and mentally after attending barre classes for a period of time.
History of ballet barre
Ballet barre fitness is actually inspired by ballet and dance, while also incorporating yoga and Pilates into each routine. Surprisingly, ballet barre is not a new type of fitness, it was first introduced in the UK by a German dancer and teacher named Lotte Berk. In 1959, after a back injury, she combined her ballet techniques with rehab therapy and low and behold ballet barre was created! And then in 1971, ballet barre was introduced to the US by a former dance student of Lotte Berk's named Lydia Bach. She ended up opening up a dance studio in New York which helped start the craze of ballet barre fitness, as we know it today. Currently, there are several ballet barre companies such as Pure Barre, barreALLEY, barre3, The Bar Method and Pilates Barre on Demand with Tracey Mallet.
What exactly is ballet barre?
The exercise routines include multiple repetitions of low impact movements. As already noted, barre is based on yoga, Pilates, dance and ballet. Be prepared for your heart rate to go up and even sweat, these exercises might look simple and easy, but the workouts can actually be quite difficult in the intermediate and advanced classes. Participants may walk away from classes with sore muscles as the work-out targets the entire body. It is important to pace yourself and take breaks as needed while having water available for hydration.
Barre routines include common moves such as:
Plies (feet are turned out in a narrow or wide stance while bending at the knee and rising straight back up; keeping heels on the ground or lifting heels off the ground)
Releves (Rising up on one's toes)
Squats and lunges
Curtsy lunges
Rond de jambe (Moving one's straight leg away from the body and then returning it in a semi-circular movement - this can be done with one's leg on the floor or in the air)
What is needed to do basic ballet barre exercises at home:
A chair, stool or kitchen counter will work just fine if one does not have a ballet bar
Exercise attire can include shorts, yoga pants/tank tops, or other comfortable exercise wear.
Gripper socks or bare feet; some like to wear tennis shoes for more impact workouts
Other classes may include:
The use of a ballet bar or not using a bar (this helps with building balance)
Exercise bands and straps
Weights (light, medium or heavy)
Exercise balls (large and small)
Gliding discs
Some classes are more dance oriented, while others are more focused on strengthening and core workout which include the use of weights, doing planks and even pushups
Key benefits of ballet bare include:
Increases core strength
Improves balance, mobility and flexibility
Tones muscles
Helps with weight loss
Builds long lean muscles
Improves daily posture
Boosts metabolism
Improves mood
Reduces stress
In order to see results, one needs to be consistent with these workouts, like exercising at least 3x a week. By the 6-week mark, one will notice they have a better sense of balance and have greater strength.
There is never any pressure, go at your own pace and have some fun!
https://www.ymcamidtn.org/health What to Expect in a Barre Class at the Y - YMCA of Middle Tennessee
Physical Rehabilitation and Recreational Health Technologies. Barre-fitness as a modern means of improving the health of women in the first period of adulthood.
WebMD. Barre Classes: Benefits, Exercises, and What to Expect: Ballet-Inspired Barre Classes.
Wikipedia.org. Barre(exercise).
www.freepik.com. Free Vector I Flat-hand drawn dance fitness class illustration