Ballet Bar Height – Setting it Right the First Time

Ballet Bar Height – Setting it Right the First Time

The ballet bar is an integral part of any dance studio and is a prized asset for any dancer, as it is vital in order to develop the requisite amounts of balance, muscle strength and flexibility of the ligaments which a competent ballet dancer will invariably require before engaging in any sort of grueling regime or dance routine.

The ballet bar is used to provide the dancer with the necessary support and stability, in order to balance them prior to the dancer straining the lower part of their body. Whilst it may not seem like a particularly dangerous or straining exercise, be rest assured, ballet is a physically challenging and demanding activity that requires the dancer to be in peak physical condition.

Therefore, it is vital that the ballet bar height is set correctly in order to protect the spine as the dancer begins their workout. Some of the ballet warm up and toning exercises will involve the dancer squatting down whilst keeping their back straight in order to place a greater amount of weight through the legs and feet.

If the ballet bar height is too high then the safety of such exercises will be severely compromised, as it will create a major degree of damage and strain on the spine.

This is of particular concern for young pre-teen dancers whose bones have not completely grown yet and because their bones are so soft this means that any damage or fracture can be very serious indeed.

At best, the dancer is looking at a lengthy recovery time in hospital and may have to undergo physically and mentally draining exercise regimes for their rehabilitation. At worst, the dancer faces the possibility of a potentially permanent injury or bone deformity which can have a seriously adverse impact on the rest of their life.