Practice Ballet As A Workout

Practice Ballet As A Workout

If you have any specific body concerns or old injuries, check in with the instructor before the class in case you need to modify any exercises.

Many instructors welcome questions before a class gets started. The last thing they want is for you to have a poor fitness experience or risk injury.

Here are a couple of moves to get you started:

Barre workout moves

Plié with feet together

Targets: glutes, thighs, abs, ankles, and feet.

 

 

How to do it:

• Stand with your feet parallel and together, hands on the back of the barre or balancing tool.
• Press up onto the balls of your feet and bend your knees into a deep plié by lowering your hips as far down as you can, squeezing your inner thighs together. The knees should stay touching.
• Lift up halfway (knees should stay bent), and then return to a deep plié position.

 

Plié on relevé (on toes)

Targets: thighs, abs, ankles, and feet

How to do it:

• Stand with your feet in the first position (heels together, toes turned out about 45 degrees), legs straight, and hands gently resting on the barre.
• With your spine tall and abs tight, rise up onto the balls of your feet. Execute a plié by bending your knees out over your toes. Only lower about halfway down.
• Straighten your legs, squeezing your inner thighs together as you extend, and then lower your heels.

Remember that your body can adapt to change well, so don’t be afraid to jump out of your usual routine. Try a new class and you may be surprised at how much you may enjoy a barre workout.

Why try a ballet workout?

I’m sure you want to ask this question: Is a ballet workout effective? I have to answer: Yes. I believe this ballet-style of exercise combines a lot of elements that are important to look for in a balanced workout routine.

Any exercise format that seamlessly combines gentle body-weight strength movements mixed with elements of flexibility and coordination is a good choice. Performing slow and purposeful movements place a huge emphasis on gaining muscular control and core stability. These points make barre workouts great as standalone workouts, or something you choose to add to the end of your routine.