Why ballet is a great all-body workout for adults
It’s been around for centuries, but ballet is experiencing a resurgence. Here’s why so many are leaping into classical dance class.
While ballet has never gone out of fashion, there’s no denying it’s having a particular moment right now, thanks to #balletcore.
The trend, pirouetting its way across TikTok and Instagram, celebrates the dance form and draws fashion inspiration from its graceful aesthetic.
Feeling inspired to try ballet for the first time – or return to the dance studio after many years away?
With many physical and mental benefits associated with learning ballet, it’s no surprise adults are heading to class.
Ballet benefits for adults
Ballet is good for posture
Parents often send their kids to ballet to improve their posture, so why not try it yourself?
Ex-professional dancer and director of the Tanya Pearson Ballet Academy Gregor Thieler says ballet engages the entire body and is excellent for developing a healthy posture.
“You’re lengthening your body and while you’re training, you’re creating a beautiful, elegant posture of your body, but it’s also fully aligned,” Gregor says.
He notes that expanding your vertebrae through ballet is a much-needed contrast to hunching over your computer or phone all day.
Plus, you’ll improve your balance and spatial awareness.
Ballet is good for core strength
Speaking of posture, ballet dancers must activate their core, including abdominal muscles, to hold their lower back and pelvis correctly, says director of the Melbourne Studio of Ballet Luanne Hyson.
Ballet is also great for your shoulders and upper back, along with your entire body.
Luanne says because ballet is based on rotation, it uses muscles that need to be conditioned to handle the movements.
And that’s an excellent thing for your fitness and flexibility.
Ballet is good for mental health
Ballet also tests your memory and is “a little bit like learning a second language”, Luanne says.
“It really gives the brain a thorough workout as well, because you’ve got to listen to the music and connect your movements with the music.”
Even just standing at the barre doing a plié (bending of the knees) requires concentration
Ballet is also a great form of stress relief, prompting us to stay in the present moment, according to Gregor.
“You’re just focusing on your performance – obviously in an artistic sense, but also a physical sense.”
Ballet provides structure
She may be a little biased, but Luanne says many people are realising “ballet is 10 times better than the gym”.
“There’s always something you can work on – it becomes a little bit addictive in a way.”
She says many people enjoy the structure of ballet and find themselves returning to it as adults.
“A lot of people I’ve found once they’ve done it as a child, that’s it, they have to come back, the sort of addictive factor gets to them.”
How to start ballet as an adult
Ballet might be gruelling for the professionals, but for the rest of us, it’s a healthy form of fitness that burns calories and releases endorphins, says Gregor.
He suggests finding an experienced teacher and taking a slow and consistent approach to training.
Gregor has noticed the increased interest in adult ballet classes and says that can only be a good thing.
“It’s not a niche in a way where it’s only available for a few (people).
“It’s available for everyone, and that’s wonderful.”
More workout ideas:
- Does a rumble boxing workout pack the ultimate punch?
- Aqua jogging is the ultimate low-impact full-body workout
- How aerial fitness can take your workout to new heights
Written by Larissa Ham.
