Bar(r)e Basics: Dancing for Beginners

BY KATY SNODGRASS ILLUSTRATIONS BY JULIA GREENWOOD

Finding a preferred method of exercise can be extremely difficult, especially with new workout trends coming and going almost endlessly. As a former dancer, I struggled to find an exercise routine that targets strength, flexibility, and agility without being in the gym for hours at a time. That was before I started attending barre workout classes.

Barre classes combine different physical elements from ballet, yoga, strength training, and even Pilates to deliver a low impact but musclebuilding workout. Barre is great for targeting core and glute muscles because of the required isometric movements that are performed in class. According to Dr. Edward Laskowski from the Mayo Clinic, isometric movements are, “The tightening of a specific muscle or muscle group. This causes contractions within the muscle which helps strengthen the specific muscle being used through multiple repetitions.”

The use of isometric movements makes barre a perfect class for beginners as the exercises are usually of a low intensity and allow for room to work up to more difficult skills.

There are some must-know basic ballet moves that nearly all barre classes will utilize to bring out

Third Position

the ballet aspect. The most fundamental moves revolve around foot placement and creating a stable base starting with the feet. There are five rudimentary feet positions used in ballet, three of them are most commonly used in barre classes: first position, wide second position, and fourth position.

The other fundamental movements are the French terms “plié” and “relevé,” meaning “to bend” and “to rise” respectively. Pliés help engage the ab muscles as the movement requires one to bend at the knees without removing heels from the ground. A relevé is the exact opposite of a plié. Instead of bending down, a relevé uses the calf muscles to lift the heels off the ground, engaging the inner thighs and glute muscles. While weekly barre classes may not produce a ballerina body overnight, barre is a great way to experience a new form of exercise while having fun.