Why Every Martial Artist Needs a Ballet Barre

Is your child enrolled in a Martial Arts program? Does he or she try to bring up those leg kicks like the great Martial Arts stars demonstrate in their movies?  Do you dream of being able to do these high-flying kicks?

Most instructors stress the point that a good martial artist has to do a lot of weight training to build up the muscle mass.  The more muscle the stronger the impact of the kick or punch.

But what about the height of the kick?  The flow of the kick?  Those legs don’t get up there just naturally.  The traditional way in Martial Arts is to start training with a good thorough stretching session.  This is the best way to avoid injuries like pulled muscles, or even a torn muscle.  However it improves the height of the kicks only slowly, and after a certain point the progress will stall.

There are a lot of unwritten rules in Martial Arts - and then there is ingenuity.  Nothing prevents you from being inventive in finding new ways to improve your performance.  Remember a martial artist is like a bamboo, flexible but strong.

There is a great way to improve your flexibility.  The ballet barre. Well, a true martial artist might relate this name to tutus, pink ballet slippers, and classical music.  You should, however, try to think outside of the box.

Some simple stretching exercises on the – let’s call it “High Kick Barre” for this article - will help you gain the inches needed to feel good, look good, and above all perform like a pro.  The “High Kick Barres” sold by Boss are very sturdy, durable, well balanced, and support those muscle toned legs of yours, or your child.  The company Boss Steel is actually a leader in the steel industry for making many different products, including corner guards.  It stands behind its products whether they are corner guards, ballet barres, or “High Kick Barres”.

The barre is easy to set-up and take down, does not take much room to store, and in a studio it can even be used to divide the room. So if you dream of performing these high flying kicks remember there is a remedy, the Ballet Barre a.k.a. “High Kick Barre” by Boss Ballet Barres
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For more information contact us via e-mail or call us at 1-888-301-6403.

The Ballet Barre - No Longer "Just a Chick Thing"

What do you think of when you think of a ballet barre?  Most likely you picture skinny, fit women in pink tights or tutus with their feet in an awkward position as they bend and wave, bend and wave.  Women have sworn by this form of exercise for years, but when men were invited to join they mostly replied with "That's just a chick thing."  Well, hold on gentlemen because men are now starting to realize the benefits of barre exercise. 

For example, take the case of Ben Winslow - graduate of the infantry officer school, a lieutenant in the army, a successful lawyer, biker, swimmer, runner, golfer, endurance trainer, and an "Escape from Alcatraz" triathlete.  At age 68, Ben swears by the Barre Method of exercise.  At the prodding of some female co-workers, Ben decided to prove he was open minded and attended.  He's never stopped and has involved his wife in the classes as well.  Here’s what Ben said about what it’s like to be a male student at the Bar Method. 

What man wouldn't want to get a great workout that puts your muscles to the test, increases strength and agility, and improves coordination?  As with any workout, it's really true that you get out of it what you put into it.  Although this form of exercise was originated by a dancer, it was later modified to be used in physical therapy as a way to rehabilitate muscle without putting strain on the joints.  Through the years, it has proven to be an convincing form of exercise for those serious about physical fitness.

Gentlemen, the door to a new form of effective exercise has opened to you!  Will you walk through it? 

For more information on our ballet barres, contact us today!

Ballet Barres are for the Young and the Young at Heart

While most people think of ballet lessons as being something for children, the fact is that they can be beneficial to people of all ages. That’s especially true of senior citizens, as offering lessons to those over 55 has been shown to have a number of benefits for people in this age group.

Dance instructor Alice Korsick began offering ballet lessons to residents of Sun City West, a retirement community near Phoenix, Arizona, a few years back. Upon doing so, she found her senior students responded well to their training, even when they had no previous dance experience. Many of them practiced completely on ballet barres at first until they were agile enough to take to the floor.

After having a positive response at Sun City West, Korsick then expanded her dance lessons to another retirement community, Sun City Grand. She had a positive response to her classes there as well. As a result, these seniors now produce several variety shows each year, many of them geared toward charitable organizations. Her students also perform a full-fledged musical at least annually.

Senior ballet classes in China have produced similar results.  A senior citizen’s dance studio in Tianjin has trained several students who were more than 60 years of age.  One of the students there claims that ballet has helped her become more agile and less prone to falling than she was before. Others have remarked that they have increased stamina and a more positive outlook on life after taking dance lessons.

Programs such as those in China and Arizona serve to prove that one is never too old to consider learning the art of ballet. Senior citizens could benefit from portable ballet barres to help them stay in peak condition no matter where they are. Boss Ballet Barres also has plenty of accessories to choose from as well. Contact us to find out more about the products we carry.

A Ballet Barre is a Fitness Studio Necessity

Fitness trends come and go. There are pole-dancing classes, Zumba classes, Jazzercise workouts...the list goes on. One fitness trend that seems to be here to stay is the ballet workout. Ballet dancers have lean, fit bodies that are strong but not bulky. In this article from the New York Times, author Kayleen Schaefer notes that in ballet barre workouts,

"...women focus on four body parts — arms, abdomen, gluteal muscles and thighs — with highly targeted, small movements designed to tone muscles without adding mass."

Celebrities and professional dancers alike do ballet workouts. Natalie Portman, for instance, whipped into shape for her role in "Black Swan" with private ballet barre workouts.

If your fitness studio does not currently offer ballet barre workouts, maybe they should. The beautiful, lean muscle tone of a dancer is best achieved through barre workouts. Pilates and yoga are great for toning, too, but the motions of a barre workout are subtly different. Movements are much smaller and more controlled. Again, according to the New York Times:

“Go down an inch, up an inch,” is an often heard command."

Because such precise discipline is necessary for a ballet workout, a sturdy and well-made ballet barre is absolutely necessary for support and balance. This kind of workout is very physically intense, but it is also very mentally challenging. Keeping tiny movements tight and controlled takes its toll, which is all the more reason to make sure your barre is the best.

Boss Ballet Barres can provide the barre you need in your fitness studio for the fitness trend that has the staying power of beautiful ballet.

Please contact us to update your fitness studio with a high-quality ballet barre today.

Kids Benefit from a Home Ballet Barre

Having a ballet barre at home can help your aspiring dancer to set and reach new goals. Doing home ballet barre exercises can help her to protect herself from injury, as well. Whether you are a dancer yourself or not, bringing ballet into your home will be beneficial to you and your child.

Little girls are attracted to ballet because the dancers look like magical fairies or princesses on stage. Parents know that it's only a matter of time from the first time she sees The Nutcracker until their daughter asks the inevitable question: Can I take ballet lessons?

When weighing the decision, you should keep in mind that ballet dancing comes with some strong benefits, and having a ballet barre at home can enhance those benefits further.

1. Self Confidence. Little girls who take dance are more confident in their bodies and abilities as they grow up, especially when their parents are involved.

2. Physical Health. Dancing keeps muscles and joints strong. It also releases healthy endorphins and other chemicals which promote healing and growth.

3. Mental Health. Life is tough, even for your little one. Between school, friends and just plain growing up, even kids need a healthy stress release. The combination of healthy physical movement and mental focus provides the perfect avenue for your child's mental well-being.

4. Focus. Doing activities outside of school, such as dance, helps kids to focus in the classroom. The discipline of dance doesn't just stay in the studio, it affects everything your child puts her mind to.

All the benefits of dance are even stronger if you, the parent, stays involved. Your child is more likely to stick with her dancing if you have a home ballet barre, even if she only does a few minutes of barre exercises a day. Encourage her to do them and set up a schedule for them. Even if you are not a dancer, your encouragement will make all the difference in the world. 

Please contact us to find out more about quality ballet barres for your home from Boss Ballet Barres.

Free Standing Ballet Barres, a Ballet Dancer's Best Friend

"Learning to walk sets you free. Learning to dance gives you the greatest freedom of all: to express with your whole self the person you are." -Melissa Hayden

Before a dancer can perform with the freedom described above, there are years of careful training at the barre. The ballet barre is an essential tool for any dancer, for the youngest novice to the seasoned professional. Professional dancers will often bring their own free standing ballet barres to warm up with when they tour. This helps them to keep their bodies limber and keep their routine.

The ballet barre is meant to act as a support for dancers. It is not meant to carry weight. The barre should be adjusted to the correct level so that a dancer's hand can rest comfortably on it. It helps to think of gripping a barre the way you would hold the hand of a friend. Lightly, in other words. This is especially true of a free standing ballet barre. In keeping a light grip on the barre, you will develop your own strength and balance.

The ballet barre has now moved beyond the confines of dance studios. Many fitness routines are now incorporating dance moves as part of their workouts. Dance moves help to maintain balance and flexibility. They also help to create overall muscle tone. A free standing ballet barre is a perfect accessory to dance inspired workouts! We carry several styles of freestanding ballet barres. Many styles are just right for a home workout space.

Some are small and light, perfect for young dancers and fitness enthusiasts. There are also larger, more solid options for everyday use. Finally, there are large, professional scale options that can accommodate several dancers at once. All of these options means that there is a free standing ballet barre to meet every need.

When used properly, a portable ballet barre makes the perfect dance or exercise partner. We carry several styles and sizes. Contact us today to find out which portable ballet barre is right for your needs.

The Importance of Repetitive Exercises with Dance Barres

You've read a lot in our blog about the quality of dance barres at Boss Ballet Barres, about reasons for dancers to purchase an at-home ballet barre, and about various uses for portable ballet barres. If you are a beginning dancer, you have noticed that every dance class starts with barre exercises--often, the same exercises over and over. You might wonder: What is the point? Why should I do the same exercises at dance barres during every session in the studio?

There are some very good, scientific reasons for doing repetitive exercises at your studio's dance barres.

• Repetitive movements train muscle fibers. The more you diligently perform your barre exercises, the more your muscles will actually change their physiology to better perform the graceful motions of dance. In a nutshell, you will actually change your structure to be a better dancer with repetitive barre exercises.
• Dance barre exercises will help you strengthen the connection between your nervous system and your muscles. You need brain signals to communicate with your body in order to perform dance moves. The repetition of barre exercises sets up an effective auto-pilot. If you are a beginner, each movement you make is conscious, and might feel awkward at first. By the time you are featured in Swan Lake, all your basic moves will be as natural as breathing, all because of the time you logged at dance barres.
• Putting in time at dance barres puts you in the right frame of mind. It is just as important--maybe more important--for dancers to warm up body and mind before training as it is for runners and other athletes. Getting your head in the game and limbering up your body prepares you for a more effective class, and protects you from strains and sprains. Think of it this way: spend extra time at the barre and you'll avoid wasting time on half-hearted practices or, worse, recovering from an injury.

Please contact us for more information about quality dance barres.