Are barre and body ballet the same thing? 4 myths about these trends that should not be believed

Senior trainer of the international network of ballet and stretching studios LEVITA

Body ballet and barre are fitness trends that have become popularized in Russia relatively recently. They are based on the combination of classical choreography with elements of yoga, Pilates and stretching. Today I will tell you what these workouts are, and I will break down the main myths.

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Barre was created by the German dancer Lotte Berk in the middle of the XX century. After a serious injury, she was unable to do ballet and came up with an alternative exercise program to keep herself in shape. The trend gained popularity nationally and in 1959, at the age of 46, Lotte opened her first studio. Over the years, barre has integrated elements of Pilates and yoga and has spread beyond Germany.

Body ballet is a relatively young trend in the fitness industry. It was created by American choreographer Leah Sarago in the late 1990s – early 2000s. In Russia, her own program was later developed by ballerina Ilze Liepa. Now body ballet combines classical dance and exercises for stretching and strengthening muscles.

What are the differences between barre and body ballet?

Barre is a set of exercises that are performed at the classical ballet barre with the use of additional equipment: balls, fitness rubber bands and elastic expanders. This allows you to increase the load on the muscles of the legs, buttocks and back and makes them actively work. Important point: the back on the barre is not pumped up directly, but is strengthened in the background due to a certain position of the body.

Body ballet training takes place in the middle of the room, without the use of supports or additional equipment (except for mats). Classes include exercises on the legs, body and arms, so the muscles of the whole body are involved. Workouts are carried out at a fairly active pace. Therefore, they are not recommended for people who have contraindications to cardio exercises. For example, respiratory diseases or prohibition of axial loads.

Who is suitable for barre and body ballet classes

The directions are suitable if your goal is to:

• Strengthen your muscular corset and improve joint mobility;
• to become more resilient;
• to correct your figure: to tighten muscles and lose some weight;
• to improve your posture;
• develop coordination and balance;
• learn to feel your body;
• maintain a healthy lifestyle and an optimal level of physical activity during the week.

An important point: barre and body ballet exercises are performed exclusively with your own body weight. Therefore, there is much less risk of injury than when working with additional weights in the gym. Therefore, the directions are safer for training.

Contraindications for body ballet and barre classes

1. Diseases of the cardiovascular system
2. Respiratory system diseases
3. Fresh injuries and damage to the integrity of the musculoskeletal system
4. Varicose veins in the period of exacerbation
5. Diseases of the genitourinary system
6. Acute respiratory diseases
7. Pregnancy

You will also need to consult with a trainer and choose alternatives to some exercises for diastasis, hernias and protrusion, scoliosis, old injuries of the musculoskeletal system.

4 popular myths about body ballet and barre

In recent years, both directions have managed to form myths that often keep people from attending classes. Let’s break down the main ones.

Myth 1: “I’m not a ballerina, barre or body ballet is definitely not for me”.

For decades, ballet has remained a closed art form, available only to professionals. Therefore, many are convinced that they will not be able to cope with the strain. Especially if they start practicing as adults.

This is a misconception. Barre and body ballet programs are adapted for non-professional athletes, so they are suitable for almost everyone and do not require special training. At the first sessions the trainer will explain the nuances of the positioning of hands, legs, will help to take the correct position of the body. After a few training sessions you will notice that it is easier to perform exercises and feel your body.

Myth 2: “I’m afraid of overworking my muscles in barre/body ballet classes”

Body ballet and barre are positioned as strength training. Therefore, some girls avoid the classes for fear of pumping up huge arms or legs and becoming less feminine.

It’s a myth. Look at ballerinas: do you see huge over-pumped muscles? On the contrary, most of them look graceful and elegant. The reason is simple: barre and body ballet workouts are done without additional weight. They are not aimed at muscle tissue growth, but at working out and strengthening the underlying muscles. Body ballet and barre will help you increase your endurance, strengthen your muscle corset, but not overpump it.

Myth 3: “I won’t be able to do body ballet and barre, I just don’t have enough strength”.

From strength training girls are often held back by the fear of immediately face a heavy load and not cope.

Don’t worry: although barre and body ballet are strength training, you can always consult with a trainer about the level of load for your body. Stopping in the middle of an approach and just standing in the position is fine for your first class. Believe me, just holding the classic body position is already a tremendous amount of work. Later on you can increase the load, your body will get used to it, and it will be easier to perform the exercises to the end.

Myth 4: “I have poor coordination, so I won’t be able to exercise”

Body ballet training takes place without the use of supports, so it’s a common myth that you need a great sense of coordination and balance to exercise.

In fact, the opposite is true. The specificity of the training allows you to engage the cortical muscles, which are responsible for stabilization and balance of the body and internal organs, and trains coordination and balance.

If you have trouble keeping your balance, a body ballet workout is a great way to work on your balance. Yes, you’ll be a little wobbly at first. Yes, it will be hard to keep your balance while standing on one leg and doing exercises with the other. But after a few training sessions you will notice improvements: you will experience less difficulty in keeping your balance, you will have a better sense of your body in space.