Online ballet workouts

All your questions answered

As online fitness continues to grow in popularity, you may be thinking about trying one of the most desirable fitness methods out there - online ballet workouts. Getting the sleek, strong physique and refined posture of a ballerina is no longer limited to those with a ballet studio nearby. These days, people across the world are experiencing the amazing results and significant health benefits that online ballet barre workouts provide. And all from their own homes!

This article aims to answer any questions you have on online ballet workouts so you can realise the incredible benefits that online ballet fitness and barre workouts can give.

What is online ballet fitness?

Online ballet fitness combines the artistry and athleticism of ballet technique with the most effective and challenging fitness exercises, all at your fingertips.

From the comfort of your own home, you can improve your flexibility, gain strength, increase stamina and develop lean muscle tone throughout your body with online ballet workouts that you can stream to any device or join live, in real time, via video conferencing.Not only do online ballet workouts help you achieve a dancer body but they will also help lift your mood, boost your energy levels and improve your co-ordination, balance and muscle memory. Plus taking a ballet fitness workout online is more cost effective and time-saving too.

Online ballet fitness is a multi-functional way to workout your body and mind. Achieving that signature ballerina body is just one of the many results you'll see and feel with online ballet fitness workouts and with the added ease and cost effectiveness of fitting into your life and schedule.

Are ballet barre workouts effective?

Online ballet workouts are proven to be a highly effective way to develop a flexible, strong body with lean, defined muscle tone. When you take an online ballet workout, you emulate the ballet positions and barre moves that a professional ballet dancer will practice on a daily basis in order to sculpt out a fit and refined ballet physique with flawless posture.

Taking a regular online ballet workout, led by knowledgeable, professionally trained ballet fitness instructors, will help you to achieve similar benefits. Online ballet workout participants not only gain greater tone and definition in the lower body and core area but also benefit from cardiovascular improvement, enhanced flexibility, balance and co-ordination, greater muscle strength and a defined upper body and posture.

Online ballet workouts are not only effective in sculpting out a ballet body but are also a safe way to maintain the health and mobility of your joints and muscles. Effective ballet barre workouts should always include stretching sequences taken throughout each workout. Combined with a focus on muscle balance and symmetry, these elements effectively help to ease and prevent lower back pain, muscle tension and joint stiffness.

What are the benefits of online ballet workouts?

There are immense physical, mental and emotional benefits to doing online ballet fitness workouts. There are also practical ones too which make online ballet workouts an appealing way to stay fit and healthy on limited time and finances.

Physical benefits

• Improved cardiovascular health and increased stamina due to changing legs and alternating arms movements (known as port de bras) throughout each ballet workout and often at speed.
• Frequent change of movement also gives greater muscle symmetry and alignment as well as contributing to a greater calorie burn and fat loss
• Lower body tone developing lean muscle in the quads, hamstrings and glutes. (expect to practice ballet moves and ballet exercises including plié, tendu, glissé, fondu just like a dancer).
• Injury and pain management as low impact sequences allow the muscles and joints to workout more safely
• Greater refinement, strength and poise in the arms, shoulders and back
• Greater mobility and flexibility due to intermittent, active stretching with a discernible increase in the body's range of motion

Mental benefits

• Proven to help with cognitive health. Ballet exercises that naturally improve balance, co-ordination, rhythm, memory and balance are practiced during each workout
• Better memory recall through repeating ballet positions and sequences on both sides of the lower and upper body to challenge the brain
• Endorphin release throughout each workout. These endorphins help reduce stress, lessen feelings of anxiety and depression and boost confidence and self-esteem.
•  Moving rhythmically to a beat stimulates the areas of the brain that deal with and develop memory, organisation and co-ordination

Emotional benefits

• For those who danced as a child, ballet workouts revoke positive memories which are released through reliving and loving the feeling of dance. 
• The joy of learning. Experiencing the benefits of a new, artistic skill can be emotionally satisfying
• Social connection. The growing online ballet community connects ballet, barre and fitness lovers across the world. Sharing ballet moves, tips and techniques is an inclusive, friendly and engaging way to connect with others.

Practical benefits

• Cost efficient

With the rising cost of living affecting us all and the importance of our physical and mental health being crucial to a healthy, happy life, investing in online ballet fitness is a great way to balance out these factors. Online ballet workouts are less expensive than studio workouts with subscriptions often starting at a fraction of the price of many gym memberships. This means with an online ballet fitness subscription, you have more money in your hands while still taking care of your health and wellness. Take advantage of the free trials that should come with online ballet workouts too so you can choose the right method or even methods for you.

• Time saving.

Not only should an online ballet workout be accessible to everyone of all levels but it should be accessible at any time too. Online ballet workouts allow you to choose how long and when to get moving. At Sleek Ballet Fitness our streaming library over over 300 ballet barre workouts is available to view 24/7 with workouts ranging from 5 - 60 minutes. That means there is something suitable for everybody's timetable. If you feel you need more accountability and motivation to join a ballet fitness class, two way interactive classes are an excellent option. Booking into a live online ballet workout not only gives you the added push of an experienced ballet fitness training guiding you, but research shows you are more likely to commit to your workout if you have someone expecting you to show up.

•  Self-awareness
  Whether you chose to stream an online ballet workout or join a live, online ballet fitness class, it is always your decision who sees you during your workout, something that is not possible when joining a studio class. Switching your camera off, wearing headphones, turning the music to your desired level and simply just choosing the space you are going to practice your ballet moves in is entirely in your hands with online ballet fitness.

How long are online ballet workouts?

Choosing an online ballet fitness method means you are able to progress with your ballet workouts in your own time, to suit your goals and lifestyle. While most online ballet workouts have an average duration of between 25-45 minutes, look to stream shorter 'express' workouts or longer, full body workouts for days when you have less or more time to commit to working out.

Sleek Ballet Fitness is the leader in online ballet fitness since 2013 which means we have an extensive streaming library of ready prepared ballet and barre workout programs to make planning your schedule easier. Our comprehensive streaming library contains adult ballet barre classes, ballet technique programs and ballet bootcamp fitness workouts. These, effective, fun and authentic online ballet workouts are accessible to all from beginners to advanced and range between 5-60 minutes in length. As a general beginner rule, aim to take a 30 minute online ballet workout 3-5 times a week.

You can try free Online Ballet Workouts here.

Are Ballet workouts suitable for over 50s? 

As discussed, there are many benefits to taking up ballet workouts across all levels and experiences. However, especially as we age, the benefits become even deeper.

As we move into midlife and beyond, our bodies begin to become less supple. Nutrient and collagen depletion means joints are less mobile and muscle mass starts to decrease. Alongside good nutrition, ballet barre workouts are an effective, safe way to help combat this rate of decline, particularly in the over 50s. Ballet fitness can help maintain physical and mental wellbeing. Taking up a regular ballet fitness regime can benefit:

• Improved memory
• Strengthened bone density
• Better sleep quality
• Lower blood pressure 
• Improved physical and mental endurance, mobility and muscle mass
• Help with common physical complaints such as lower back pain, muscle tension and soreness and joint stiffness

What will I need to take part? 

There is minimal equipment required for online ballet fitness. Make sure you have a good internet connection and a device that you are comfortable following your ballet workout on. You won't need much space, about a yoga mat's worth is sufficient.  A yoga mat is often needed for mat and stretching sequences but weights are not required as ballet workouts use your own body weight to create resistance and develop muscle strength and tone. 

It is important to be able to move freely during your ballet workout so wear something comfortable (a leotard or bodysuit is a popular choice of dancewear but not necessary for your at home ballet barre workouts). Either socks or bare feet are the best choice depending on the floor you are moving on.

Although ballet fitness classes often require a ballet barre, it's not necessary to have a professional ballet barre, a chair ironing board or shelf will work. Aim for these to be either no lower than waist height or no higher than your shoulder line. If you do decide to invest in a ballet barre, you can search online for portable ballet barres which are easy and light to assemble and can be stored away under a bed or in a cupboard when not in use.

Where do I start with online ballet workouts?

Ballet Fitness is an inclusive way of working out which means everyone from beginner level up can try it. You will need your chosen device and an internet connection to get underway. You can find ballet fitness companies by searching online and joining a free trial. Look for an established ballet fitness company like Sleek Ballet Fitness which offers 7 days of free access to over 300+ ballet barre workouts in their library.

If you are completely new to ballet, start with a beginners program to get acquainted with the ballet terms, ballet positions and ballet moves that you'll be doing during your ballet workouts. 

At Sleek Ballet Fitness, we recommend starting with the Sleek Body Starter Program which also includes ballerina diet recipes, as well as extra ballet tips too.