Ballet dancers are known for their strong leg and shoulder muscles, flexibility and grace. The first time I did a ballet fitness workout, I felt it was challenging but wondered if I really worked out. The next day, my question was answered. I felt it in my butt, my thighs and my stomach.
Ballet workouts are not new, but in the past two or three years, they have gained popularity because several celebrities claim to do ballet workouts. Now, ballet is infused in cardio, strength and Pilates workouts. If you can’t find an exercise class in your area, a variety of exercise DVDs provide ballet-inspired workouts.
Cardio Ballet
Cardio ballet workouts use traditional ballet moves like plies and releves. You move across the floor, pointing and flexing your toes. You have to engage your stomach muscles to execute proper body movement and maintain good posture. Most ballet cardiovascular workouts don’t require shoes. Ellen Barrett’s Barefoot Cardio uses simple moves, primarily using the lower body.
Ballet and Pilates Fusion
Ballet and Pilates Fusion combines these two types of exercises to give you a total body workout. This is a natural combination because ballerinas and other dancers have used Pilates for years. Workouts include barre and standing ballets moves, as well as mat work on the abdominals. Attitude Ballet and Pilates Fusion by Bernadette Giorgi works for all fitness levels and ages. I like this workout because you workout as long as you want. You can do an hour workout or work less than 30 minutes. Her fusion workouts use weighted balls, rings and resistance bands.
Ballet Barre
Ballet barre fitness classes consist of moves commonly used by ballerinas to warm up before a strenuous floor routine, rehearsal or performance. The barre supports the body, especially when doing kicks and arabesques-when one leg is extended behind the body. Ballet barre can be total cardio, lower body toning or a cardio/toning combo. Your flexibility, balance and posture improve. Local ballet studios offer beginner barre classes. If you can’t find ballet classes in your area, fitness routines like the Cardio Barre Workout provide a routine similar to those at dance studios.
Ballet Boot Camp
Ballet boot camp provides an intense total body workout that improves flexibility and tones your body. Unlike traditional boot camp workouts that use heavy weights, you use your own body to lengthen muscles and tone. The workout also incorporates pushups and exercises that utilize core muscles.
Traditional Ballet
While cardio, boot camp, barre and Pilates ballet classes add to your fitness workout, sometimes a traditional ballet workout is the only workout the body wants. Traditional ballet fitness classes combine barre routines that warm up the body followed by simple floor work that includes plies and other ballet moves. For the most part, the class works on rhythm, flexibility, balance and posture. New York City Ballet has a number of ballet fitness workouts, using traditional moves and ballet terminology.
Ballet fitness classes are popping all over the United States. Even studios that once closed their doors to the general public are featuring different types of ballet classes along with traditional ballet. These classes add variety to workout routines and help you gain flexibility. If local ballet studios in your area are still restricted to dancers, exercise DVDs are inexpensive options to try different ballet classes.
