Ballet bar is also known as barre.
Barre is actually a hand bar that is used by dancers to carry out warm up exercises.
It may be free standing or sometimes use to mount on walls.
Wood or metal is used to construct these bars and they have standard height of about 40 inches.
These bars are adjusted according to the learner or dancer.
The exercises performed with the help of these have an objective of improving the dancer's body and flexibility.
So, that he or she may perform well.
However, it does not mean that these ballet bars work only with learner and beginners.
Advanced dancers also use these bars for exercises.
The primary function that ballet bar performs is to stretch the muscles of legs.
This helps to carry out further exercises.
Plies are the beginning of these exercises.
It prepares the body in particular shape.
Another most widely performed exercise is eleve.
These exercises assist in strengthening ankles, legs and feet.
Another exercise is rond de jambe which is also performed to maximize leg strength and hip flexibility.
Most of these bars are made of metal or wood.
There are several companies engaged in developing these bars.
Design: The design of a ballet bar depends on its position.
For example barre may be movable or it may be located somewhere permanently.
A movable bar is most often mounted on free standing structure.
On the other hand, permanent bar is attached with a wall.
However, whatever the bar is, they mostly stand at waist height of the learner.
The bar has a diameter of one inches or a bit more.
Exercises: Exercises performed with these bars are usually slow and cyclic.
They help the learners and dancers to build specific strength in their bodies.
The exercises further help the dancers to prepare for partnering.
This means barre provide the support that the partner will offer or present later on.
Moreover, to support ankles for proper dance these exercises are of prime importance.