Our series exploring the benefits of a good barre workout continues this week, with a focus on Athletes.
There's a terrific episode of the TV show, "Glee," in which
football players in full uniform and black tar under their eyes dance with joy
on the field to Beyonce's hit, "Single Ladies." It's not traditional
ballet but it represents a trend in athletic training that's been taking shape
over the past decade.
You may think ballet and sports training aren't at all similar, but that's
not the case. Not only are there similarities between the two, the benefits of a barre workout for
athletes are numerous. Whether you're an amateur or professional
athlete, here are some of the top benefits:
- Sports and ballet use some
of the same muscle groups. A barre workout can help in the
rehabilitation of sports injuries because it's low impact so that ankle,
knee and shin injuries aren't aggravated.
- According to Healthy
Living, NFL Hall of Fame member Lynn Swann credited his graceful
performance in games in part to flexibility that he learned from ballet
training, adding that it helped him achieve body control, balance and a
sense of rhythm and timing. Football greats Hershel Walker studied ballet
when he was playing for the Dallas Cowboys as did Walter Payton when he
was playing for the Chicago Bears.
- Even the biggest, strongest
football player can use Boss Portable Ballet Barres. They're made from
high-strength structural steel and are durable enough to use in the
training room or at home.
- Ballet training in general,
and barre workouts in particular, promote flexibility and graceful
movements. If you watch the swing of a tennis racquet or the way a
football player leaps into the air to catch a ball, it's not a far cry
from what is learned at the barre.
- Of course anyone who
watches competitive figure skating recognizes an intense component of
ballet training. Skating requires excellent posture, core strength for jumps
and lifts and controlled body movements. These are all integral components
of a barre workout.
- Gymnasts, like ballet
dancers, need to achieve an extensive range of motion. Both will work to
achieve flexibility in their back, hips and ankles at the barre.
In sum, athletes from any sport can benefit from a barre workout. It helps
with cross-training, balance, coordination, dexterity, flexibility, discipline
and core strength. A 100 pound ballerina could probably show a 250 pound
linebacker and thing or two at the barre!
To learn more about the benefits of a barre workout for athletes, please
feel free to contact us.
Boss Ballet Barres took center stage in New Jersey and Chicago during the
annual United Dance Merchants of America (UDMA) Show in October. With multiple
booths to showcase our portable ballet barres, Boss products were a hit with
the thousands of studio and dance school owners who attended.
The UDMA show, in it's 21st year, provides vendors with exclusive
opportunities to connect with studio owners, directors and teachers from across
the nation to demonstrate products and answer questions from the experts who
know the benefits of quality ballet barres.
The UDMA Show guarantees that 100% of the attendees are dance
teachers and studio owners - exactly the kind of folks that we want to show off our barres to. It's also the perfect place to launch new products
and get immediate customer feedback. The show is not only the biggest of its
kind in North America, but it also takes place during the time of
year dance teachers and studio owners are ready to shop. What better way to allow our friends and fans to touch and feel our products, and to really experience the strength and quality of a Boss Ballet Barre,
Our portable ballet barres are made of sturdy, high-strength steel and are
easy to clean and germ resistant -- ideal for the onset of flu season. We offer many sizes, from our 4' Princess Barre, a 6' and 8' Barre Pro to the 12' and 14' Extended Barre
Pro. Since our barres are portable, they're ideal for small or large studios
and can be easily configured to maximize teacher/student interaction. We also
offer gift certificates which are a great way to thank your favorite teacher.
Boss Ballet Barres and the UDMA
Show is a match made in dancer's heaven. If you're a dance or fitness instructor, studio owner, parent or dancer, contact
us for more information.
Our series on the benefits of Barre Workouts continues this week, with a look at how Seniors can make use of a good barre workout plan.
The age group considered "seniors" is younger and more active than
ever. Senior living communities offer an excellent alternative lifestyle,
especially for those who enjoy group activities and interesting classes.
In addition to standard exercise classes designed just for seniors, such as
water aerobics and low impact cardio, fitness instructors should consider the
popular barre workout which can easily be tailored for seniors. Boss Portable
Ballet Barres are a perfect addition to a multipurpose room at a senior center.
They are lightweight and can be configured to maximize space while giving
everyone enough room to easily complete their pliés and elevés!
So what are the benefits of a
barre workout: for seniors?
- Having to remember the
sequence of movements at the barre helps improve memory and stimulates the
brain, both of which are important as one ages.
- Working at the barre
increases flexibility and builds muscle strength. Both are important
factors with seniors who are at risk of permanent injury from falls.
- A barre workout will
improve posture, whether you're 20 or 70. In an article from BBC News about
seniors who have taken to the ballet barre, the instructor remarked on how
the women in his class have grown. They've stopped slouching from
stretching and lengthening their back and shoulder muscles.
- They are part of a group
working toward a focused goal. Many seniors have lost a spouse and find a
sense of support and community in a barre class.
- Some seniors danced when
they were younger and love the idea of recapturing those memories, but
with the advantage of working at their own pace.
- A barre workout not only
strengthens muscles, but bones as well. This also is a major concern for
seniors and a barre workout is a terrific alternative to going to the gym
to use weights.
- You don't need any dance
experience! If you can stand, follow directions and move, then a barre
workout is an ideal way to get in shape for women and men in in their
50's, 60's and beyond.
If you know a senior who would love to work out at the barre but doesn't
have access to a class, Boss Portable Ballet Barres make the perfect gift for
an at-home ballet class. They offer a lightweight beginner's model which can
easily be moved and stored.
Want to learn more? Please contact us and
we'll be happy to help.
Today, we begin our series of blogs discussing the amazing benefits of Barre Workouts.
The movie "The Turning Point" features some terrific closeups of
the great Mikhail Baryshnikov warming up at the barre with Grand Battements,
Port de bras and Rond de jambes. That's generally the image people have of a
barre workout: it's for ballet dancers only.
That's no longer the case. Classes are popping up all over the country
offering barre classes and with the advent of cable TV stations offering
nothing but workout programs and classes, it's becoming more popular in
homes as well. Whether you're taking a studio class that uses Bass Portable
Barres or have decided to purchase one for your home, there's no downside to an
energizing barre workout.
The benefits of a barre
workout: General
- It's a full body workout
that strengthens and lengthens your arm, leg, and back muscles. This is a
great alternative for those who suffer chronic back pain.
- Unlike jogging or high
impact exercises, a barre workout puts minimal stress on your joints.
- A barre workout combines
the most effective aspects of pilates, ballet and flexibility training,
with the added benefit of accompanying music to get you motivated.
- You don't have to be a
dancer to work out at the barre. No experience is necessary and you can
progress at your own comfort level, working in small or expanded
movements.
- You can purchase portable
barres to set up a home to accompany a video workout. They are lightweight,
affordable and easy to store.
- Barre workouts will
increase flexibility and range-of-motion which reduces the risk of injury.
- Isometric movements protect
your bone health and increase the percentage of lean muscle mass. This
will also help to burn calories throughout the day.
- You'll never stop moving
and virtually every part of your body will get a good workout, after which
you'll feel refreshed and invigorated.
Want to learn more about how you can benefit from a barre workout?
Just contact us for more information.
While tradition has long favored wall mounted barres, portable or
free-standing barres are becoming a more popular option for studio owners.
Here are the top reasons why Boss Ballet Barres are the best choice for your
studio that will put the debate of wall
mount vs portable barres to rest:
- Our free-standing ballet barres were created because many
studios wanted to get away from the wall mount style barre, due to the
eventual repairs and maintenance that needs to be done to keep them from
coming out of the wall, etc. Not to mention, a portable or free-standing
barre allows studios and schools to put dancers on BOTH sides of the
barre, to maximize space.
- Portable barres can be
configured so that dancers are all facing the instructor rather than a
mirror or wall. This optimizes learning and creates a more focused
teaching environment.
- Wall mounted barres are
usually the same height. Our barres come in the standard 44" height,
along with our 37" Princess Barre for beginning dancers. Plus, the
center bar on some of our models can be adjusted up or down.
- A wall mounted barre is not
something you see in dancer's homes. Our portable barres are ideal for home
use. The 4ft Intermediate or Princess Barre are both lightweight and make
a perfect gift for the beginning or advanced dancer. We offer gift
certificates too!
- Portable barres also make
it possible for studios to use a classroom for ballet class that doesn't
have a wall mounted bar already installed. This is another great example of optimizing
space.
Now that you're convinced portable barres are the best investment for your
studio, contact us for more information.
