Barre (ballet)

A barre (French pronunciation: [baʁ]) is a stationary handrail that provides support for people during various types of exercise.

[2] Barre handrails and supports are typically made of metal, wood, plastic, or a combination of these materials.

Each exercise has a specific purpose, such as to strengthen feet and legs, increase extension, improve flexibility, and develop ballon.

When used for promoting general fitness, barre exercises may incorporate a wide variety of activities to increase stamina, flexibility and strength, including ballet movements that require balance and stimulate the core such as pliés and pirouettes.

Barre classes draw from yoga as well as dance and Pilates and focus on breath and the mind-body connection.

A ballet dancer doing barre exercises at a portable barre. A permanent barre can be seen in the reflected background, mounted to the wall, to the right.
Barre rail fixed to the walls in a dance studio