“Because everyone was beautiful at the ballet” – A Chorus Line

Many young girls take ballet when they are little. (I did, but my career was cut short when I became afraid of my teacher and ran out of the class screaming.) But eventually, girls give it up in favor of soccer or academic clubs or just having fun with friends. Of course, there are always those girls that stick with it through high school and contemplate a career in dance, but we know only a rare few that really make it to compete athletically at that level (and the film Black Swan may have scared off an entirely new generation of potential ballerinas).

However, it’s hard to deny how mesmerizing the beauty and spectacle of ballet really is, as well as the complete discipline of these athletes. And sometimes you might still secretly fantasize about becoming a ballerina yourself (yes, some sort of magic would need to be involved as I can barely walk in heels, much less stand on my toes.) That’s why this new ballet workout movement is so thrilling, specifically barre ballet, which is all the rage right now in the fitness world.

Barre classes are becoming increasingly popular, especially among celebrities such as Sofia Vergara, Drew Barrymore, Madonna, Anna Paquin, and Kelly Ripa. These classes offer a unique workout that is combined with aspects of ballet and Pilates to help tone your body.

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The classes we offer are novel and beneficial hybrids of Pilates with a concentration on control, centering, flow, breath, and precision. Our classes improve abdominal endurance, upper body muscular endurance, and hamstring flexibility according to a study done by the Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, emphasizing ballet strength training.

I can attest to the fact that even if you’re already in shape, these classes are still tough. But they’re worth it! You’ll see a huge transformation in your body after consistently taking them. Every part of your body will get a workout, and you’ll start to understand how dancers always look so good.

In recent years, workouts based on ballet have become increasingly popular, especially now that Misty Copeland and her large muscles are the faces of Under Armour. “I’m always inspired by her mental strength and dancer discipline,” Jennifer Whelan, a corps de ballet dancer at the American Ballet Theatre told The New York Daily News. “She’s attracted a very diverse audience that in past years may not have been familiar with ballet.”

If you’re looking to break a sweat and get in touch with your inner ballerina, try out a barre class. You don’t need a tutu (but it definitely doesn’t hurt!)

 Photo: Thinkstock

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