How Do You Do Ballet Barre Exercises?

Ballet

Ballet barre exercises are a great way to supplement a ballet class or practice routine, as well as an effective workout for overall fitness. They are traditionally done at the barre, but can also be adapted for use at home or on the go.

Ballet barre exercises provide an excellent way to build strength, flexibility and balance while improving coordination.

The most basic ballet barre exercise is pliés (pronounced “plee-ay”). Pliés involve bending and straightening the knees while keeping the feet flat on the floor.

To ensure correct form, they should be executed with straight backs, heads up, and abdominals engaged. Pliés can be done with arms in various positions, such as in front of the body or overhead.

Grand battements (pronounced “grahn bat-tah-mahn”) are leg lifts that help to build strength in the legs, particularly in the quadriceps and glutes. These should be performed slowly and with control. When lifting one leg up from the floor, it is important to keep that knee straight; when lowering it back down again, make sure to gently touch it back on the floor before performing another repetition.

Relevés (pronounced “ruh-leh-vay”) are a more advanced exercise that works both strength and balance at once. This move involves rising onto demi-pointe (or half pointe) from flat feet while maintaining proper alignment of the body. The arms can remain in any position desired while performing relevés.

Conclusion

Ballet barre exercises are an excellent way to improve overall fitness through building strength, flexibility and balance. By practicing proper form and technique when executing pliés, grand battements and relevés – all of which can be done at home or on the go – anyone can enjoy all of these benefits without having to take a traditional ballet class.