Ballet Term
Barre
Barre is one of the most common terms in ballet. A barre is a horizontal bar that is either fastened to walls or free standing that dancers use for additional support to perform exercises. Barre has become a popular term as barre classes have become a common class that is conducted for fitness class and to warmup for ballet class.
The barre is the long horizontal bar you see running along the walls of every ballet studio, and it is where nearly every class begins. Some barres are bolted to the wall; others are free-standing on feet so they can be moved around the room. Dancers rest a hand lightly on it for balance while they work through the first exercises of class.
Why class starts at the barre
Barre work warms the body up slowly and safely. Holding the bar lets a dancer focus on one thing at a time, such as turnout, alignment, or a clean tendu, without also having to fight for balance. The exercises move in a set order that builds from small and gentle to big and demanding: pliés first, then tendus, dégagés, rond de jambe, frappés, développés, and grand battements near the end. By the time dancers leave the barre for center work, their muscles are warm and their coordination is switched on.
A key point teachers repeat often is that the barre is for support, not for hanging on. The hand should rest, not grip. Leaning on the bar teaches the body to depend on it, and that balance has to disappear the moment you step into the center.
Barre as a fitness class
Outside of ballet studios, “barre” now also names a popular fitness class. These classes borrow the ballet barre and some of its positions, then mix in elements of Pilates and strength training for a full-body workout. Barre fitness is aimed at general exercise and toning rather than training classical dancers, so while it shares the equipment and some vocabulary, it is not the same thing as a ballet class. Many dancers still enjoy it as cross-training.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do dancers hold the barre?
For light support and balance while they warm up. The barre lets a dancer concentrate on alignment and technique in the early exercises before moving to the center, where there is nothing to hold.
What order do barre exercises usually go in?
Most classes start with pliés, then move through tendus, dégagés, rond de jambe, frappés, développés, and grand battements. The sequence builds from small, gentle movements to large, powerful ones.
Is a barre fitness class the same as ballet class?
No. A barre fitness class uses the ballet barre and some positions but mixes in Pilates and strength work for general fitness. It is not classical ballet training, though dancers sometimes use it as cross-training.