You May Be Surprised by the Benefits of a Barre Workout: For Athletes

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.