Names Of Barre Exercises A Guide To The Popular Moves

If you're a fan of barre workouts, you know that the exercises can have some pretty unique names. From "plié" to "grand battement," these French-inspired movements may sound intimidating, but they're actually quite simple once you get the hang of them. In this article, we'll break down some of the most common barre exercises and explain what they entail.

Table of Contents:

• Plié
• Grand Battement
• Arabesque
• Relevé
• Attitude
• Port de Bras
• Passe
• Fondu
• Rond de Jambe
• Balancing

Plié

A plié is a simple bending of the knees, with the heels pressed firmly into the floor. This exercise is great for working the thighs and glutes.

How to do a Plié:

1. Stand with your feet parallel and hip-distance apart.
2. Bend your knees as if you were sitting back into a chair, keeping your heels on the ground.
3. Keep your back straight and your core engaged.
4. Slowly straighten your legs to return to the starting position.

Tips:

• Make sure your knees are tracking over your toes.
• Keep your weight in your heels.
• Engage your glutes as you straighten your legs.

Pros:

• Great for toning the thighs and glutes.
• Low-impact exercise.

Cons:

• May not be challenging enough for advanced exercisers.
• Can be hard on the knees if done improperly.

Grand Battement

A grand battement is a large, sweeping movement that involves lifting one leg high into the air while keeping the other foot firmly planted on the ground. This exercise is great for strengthening the legs and improving flexibility.

How to do a Grand Battement:

1. Stand with one hand on a barre or wall for support.
2. Lift one leg off the ground and extend it straight out in front of you.
3. Swing the leg back behind you, keeping it straight.
4. Lower the leg back down to the ground.

Tips:

• Keep your core engaged to maintain balance.
• Point your toes as you lift your leg.
• Try to lift your leg as high as possible without compromising form.

Pros:

• Strengthens the legs and improves flexibility.
• Can be modified to be more challenging for advanced exercisers.

Cons:

• May be difficult for beginners to balance.
• Can put strain on the lower back if not done properly.

Arabesque

An arabesque involves extending one leg straight out behind you while leaning forward and keeping your other foot firmly planted on the ground. This exercise is great for working the glutes and improving balance.

How to do an Arabesque:

1. Stand with one hand on a barre or wall for support.
2. Lift one leg off the ground and extend it straight out behind you.
3. Lean forward, keeping your back straight and your core engaged.
4. Lower your leg back down to the ground.

Tips:

• Engage your glutes as you lift your leg.
• Keep your gaze forward to maintain balance.
• Try to keep your hips level as you lean forward.

Pros:

• Works the glutes and improves balance.
• Can be modified to be more challenging for advanced exercisers.

Cons:

• May be difficult for beginners to balance.
• Can put strain on the lower back if not done properly.

Relevé

A relevé is a simple exercise that involves rising up onto the balls of your feet. This exercise is great for strengthening the calves and improving balance.

How to do a Relevé:

1. Stand with your feet parallel and hip-distance apart.
2. Rise up onto the balls of your feet.
3. Lower your heels back down to the ground.

Tips:

• Engage your core to maintain balance.
• Keep your weight evenly distributed between both feet.
• Try not to let your ankles roll in or out.

Pros:

• Strengthens the calves and improves balance.
• Can be modified to be more challenging for advanced exercisers.

Cons:

• May not be challenging enough for advanced exercisers.
• Can be hard on the ankles if done improperly.

Attitude

An attitude involves lifting one leg off the ground and bending it at the knee, with the foot turned out to the side. This exercise is great for working the glutes and improving balance.

How to do an Attitude:

1. Stand with one hand on a barre or wall for support.
2. Lift one leg off the ground and bend it at the knee, turning the foot out to the side.
3. Keep your core engaged and your gaze forward.
4. Lower your leg back down to the ground.

Tips:

• Engage your glutes as you lift your leg.
• Keep your hips level and your standing leg straight.
• Try to lift your leg as high as possible without compromising form.

Pros:

• Works the glutes and improves balance.
• Can be modified to be more challenging for advanced exercisers.

Cons:

• May be difficult for beginners to balance.
• Can put strain on the lower back if not done properly.

Port de Bras

A port de bras is a series of arm movements that are typically done at the beginning of a barre workout. This exercise is great for improving posture and increasing flexibility in the shoulders.

How to do a Port de Bras:

1. Stand with your feet parallel and hip-distance apart.
2. Extend your arms out to the sides at shoulder height.
3. Sweep your arms forward, then up and over your head.
4. Bring your arms back down to the starting position.

Tips:

• Keep your shoulders down and your chest lifted.
• Engage your core to maintain stability.
• Try to make your movements fluid and graceful.

Pros:

• Improves posture and flexibility in the shoulders.
• Can be modified to be more challenging for advanced exercisers.

Cons:

• May not be challenging enough for advanced exercisers.