Ballet Bars
Handy Hints!

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Ballet barres are a vital part of a dancer's training. Dancers use the barre to build up strength and stability in preparation for further training.

You can get different types of barres but you'll find most dance schools will have a permanent bar fixed on the wall and perhaps some portable bars too.

Many dancers in companies or schools do also use the portable barres. With most portable bars you can adjust the height to suit you. They can also dismantle easily and can be stored in small spaces which is handy if you're just wanting to buy one for home.

The portable bars are inevitably not as sturdy as the mounted bars, but they are a very practical alternative if you don't want to fix a bar onto the wall.

There often there won't be enough space on the mounted bars so the dancers have to bring out a portable bar. It isn't always a bad thing to get left with the portable bar as it'll mean you have to keep a lighter grip and be so reliant on the bar.

Whether you use a permanent barre or a portable barre, they both give the support ballet dancers need during training.

The standard height of most bars is around 40 inches. The bar should be at about waist height. It should be at the right level so that your hand can be placed comfortably on it. Ballet bars can be made out of either metal or wood. Each would provide a strong surface for a ballet dancer to place their hand on.

It's beneficial for dancers to test their balance when you are on the barre. You can do this by lifting your hand off the barre from time to time. This would make it more familiar for your body when you come into the centre.

The barre will later turn into the dancer's partner for pas de deux, so that's why it's crucial to get into good habits by keeping a light hand, testing your balance and placing the hand in the correct place on the barre.

No dancer does a class without a bar. The bar is the key to a proper warm up for professionals, and the principal for young dancers in their training.

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