Ballet dancers are known for demonstrating incredible strength, grace, and agility in their movements. In fact, many common positions are excellent for toning your abs. Through ballet barre classes, you can develop a stronger core while improving your coordination. Here are a few moves that will help you gain a leaner, tighter core.

Which Ballet Moves Work My Core?

1. Grand Plie

For this stretch, you will begin with your legs far apart, knees straight, and feet pointing out. Slowly bend your knees with your heels flush to the floor. When you’re as low as you can go, steadily rise back up into your original position. Repeating this motion will utilize your core, glutes, and hamstrings.

2. Tendu 

One of the first moves you’ll learn in ballet barre classes is a tendu. While it may seem short and simple, it is a core exercise that requires strength and balance. While in first position, keep your legs straight and pull one foot out across the floor and away from the other. Arch your instep as your heel lifts until you reach a full point. Return to first position, and remember to extend your abdominal muscles and back as you repeat.

3. Grand Battement

The grand battement is a great stretch for both core strengthening and balance. Holding the barre, raise your free hand into fifth position with your outer foot pointed in a tendu. Sweep that foot up as high as it will go without disengaging your form, then bring your leg back down into a tendu. You can try kicking forward and backward for this movement.

4. Arabesque

There are three different ways to hold your arms in an arabesque, but regardless of the method, you’ll support yourself on one leg while the back leg ends up straight out behind you. Depending on your current skill level in your ballet barre classes, you’ll lift your leg to a different degree. Beginners will raise their leg to a low arabesque, while an experienced dancer may go to over a 90° angle.

5. Echappe 

Get your heart rate going at your ballet barre classes with an echappe. In simple terms, this move involves sliding your feet apart and snapping them back together. Your legs will start in the third or fifth position. Demi-plie while tightening your abs, then jump up with your feet out and toes on the ground to second position. Pull back to third or fifth position and continue as necessary.

Develop lean, toned muscles in a unique way with ballet barre classes from BodyQuest Barre Studio in Westport, CT. With well-trained instructors ready to offer individual attention at the head of every session, you’ll learn how to properly work through each form and movement. Their workouts combine coordination, balance, flexibility, and muscle training to help you achieve your fitness goals. To learn more about their classes, visit them online. Call (203) 227-6677 to find out how to register.