Ballet barre class: how adult dancers can build fitness, balance, and grace

There are a lot of fitness classes out there that include the word ‘barre’ in the title, and imply you’ll experience some of the beauty of ballet while working out. It’s true that these variants of Barre classes are a great workout and are inspired by or incorporate elements of classical ballet. But the truth is, there is not a lot of ballet in them, and they don’t focus on the elements that make ballet so expressive and moving. Things like correct ballet technique, coordination, expression, and musicality are usually not covered in these types of classes.

If you are looking for the beauty of ballet, as well as the workout for your body AND mind, then a ballet barre class is a great fit. Even better, a Ballet Barre class at Dragonfly Dance offers an amazing community of dancers in a welcoming space without judgement. All ages, body types, and genders are welcome, with different levels to choose from depending on your previous experience.

Does this pique your interest? If so, keep reading to discover more about five key reasons to try out a Ballet Barre class.

1. Strengthen your whole body

Every movement at the barre is designed to engage your muscles from head to toe. You’ll strengthen your legs, core, and back while refining balance and alignment. These classical ballet exercises will improve your posture, tone and define your arms and legs, strengthen your core, define your back muscles, and develop strength in your feet, ankles, and toes.

Even the simple and elegant arm positions, which look so effortless and graceful, will sculpt and tone your upper body, including:

• shoulders (deltoids, or ‘delts’)

• shoulder stabilisers (rotator cuff group)

• scapula stabilisers (trapezius, or ‘traps’)

• back (latissimus dorsi, or ‘lats’)

• arms (biceps and triceps).

2. Great for beginners

New to ballet? No problem! A Ballet Barre Level 1 class is a good starting place for novice dancers who are worried about their balance, or being able to remember the combinations.

• The presence of the barre throughout the class means it’s right there if you need a little help with your balance or are nervous about falling.

• At a barre, you can position yourself between other dancers so that you have someone to follow if you aren’t yet confident remembering sequences or picking up new combinations.

• You can make the exercises simpler by taking out more complicated elements such as arm and head movements or performing movements on demi pointe.

3. A Focused and Mindful Workout

Ballet Barre isn’t just about physical fitness - it’s a form of moving meditation. In other forms of exercise, many people report getting bored, but in Ballet Barre, you have so many things to focus on, including remembering the sequence of movements, using correct technique, and staying in time with the music.

Ballet Barre engages your mind in a way that helps you to tune in to a state of flow and connect deeply with your body. Many dancers enjoy the music and find that helps draw them into a meditative state. You’ll find your daily worries drop away and you feel more centred. You leave class with a calm that carries you through the day, maybe even the whole week.

4. Stretch, release, and restore

While ballet builds strength, it also improves mobility and flexibility.

• Mobility is the ability to move a joint actively through its full range of motion — with control, strength, and coordination.

• Flexibility is the ability of a muscle or soft tissue to lengthen when stretched — it’s about the range of motion available passively.

The movements like rond de jambe (leg circles) release synovial fluid into your hip joint, which nourishes it. The port de bras (arm movements) do the same for your shoulder and elbow joints.  Battement tendu and glisse strengthen your feet. Cambré, which means arching your spine backwards or sideways improves spinal mobility and flexibility. Grand battement (high leg brushes to the front, side, and back) improve hip mobility and stretch your hamstrings and adductors.

The Ballet Barre class ends with a luxurious stretch that not only helps your body recover from class. It also reduces tension and improves flexibility in your entire body. This closing moment of calm helps your muscles recover and your mind unwind, leaving you refreshed and renewed.

5. Build technique and poise

One of the hallmarks of ballet is its grace and elegance. In a Ballet Barre class, no matter what movement you are doing, you will be focussed on your posture and alignment. Dancers strive to lift out of their waist, stack their body parts to reduce muscular tension, keep their neck long, avoid hunching their shoulders, and connect movements with grace. Regular participation in Ballet Barre class will help you carry that elegance and refinement into your everyday life.

Ballet Barre can be a great place for dancers of all levels to hone their dance technique. Dance technique refers to the methodical way of training the body to move. It refers to how you do something, rather than what you do. It is the foundation that will allow you to perform safely and efficiently, express movement with clarity and intention, and develop muscle memory. Because the focus is more on the warm-up and conditioning element of a ballet class, taking a full class at the barre is the ideal place to focus on technique, on making it automatic. Over time, you’ll notice improved coordination, control, and fluidity in everything you do, both on and off the dance floor.

Join us for Ballet Barre!

Experience the beauty, strength, and serenity of ballet at a level suitable for you.

• Level 1 (complete beginners), 10am Tuesday – ideal for dancers with no previous ballet experience

• Level 2 (experienced beginners), 10am Friday – ideal for dancers with at least a year of ballet experience

• Level 3 (intermediate), 11am Friday – ideal for dancers who have been dancing for a while or are returning to ballet after a break.

Discover how rewarding ballet can be - one plié at a time.

👉 Book your first class with our 2-for-1 Intro Pass (2 classes for the price of 1)

Book your place and explore the full timetable

Need help deciding which level?

Our friendly Business Services team is here to help you find the class that best matches your skills and goals.

📞 Call us on 08 7073 2069, or fill out the enquiry form on our website - we’ll be delighted to guide you to the most suitable class for you.