So, you’ve decided to take your ballet training to the next level and create a space to dance at home, great!
Maybe you’re a beginner who wants to practice steps you’ve learned in class each week or perhaps you’re a lifelong dancer that just can’t make it into the studio as often as you’d like. Either way, the most important piece to your home studio is your home ballet barre!
A ballet barre is a great way to improve your ballet at home
Ballet is a mental as much as physical activity, and is best if practiced regularly. Thus creating a “home studio”, complete with a home ballet rail is a wonderful alternative for the days you can’t make it to class.
You’ll want to choose an area in your home with plenty of space (so you don’t knock over any furniture whilst performing grand battement) and natural light (so you feel energized while practicing).
It’s probably a good idea to have plugins nearby to ensure any device you use for music and/or to live stream classes has enough battery for a nice long workout!
It can be quite overwhelming to choose a barre when, unlike leotards or ballet shoes, you’ve probably never shopped for a ballet barre before. Since you know, they’re always part of the class/studio package.
Lucky for you, in this guide we’ve broken down what to look for in a home ballet barre, different types and features, and for those of you short on time, the best home ballet barres in the UK!
What to look for in a ballet barre
Fixed or Portable?
When looking for a ballet barre for home use, you first need to decide if you want a fixed or portable barre.
Fixed barres need to be installed into your wall and thus, require installation either by professionals or yourself. You’ll also need to be pretty sure that you want a ballet exercise rail as a permanent fixture in your home. If you’re a renter, you’ll need to check it’s okay with the landlord. Additionally, you’ll want to make sure the room you choose is where you want it, because it will be hard to move it later!
On the other hand, portable ballet barres require much less commitment and can easily be moved around. This is great if you don’t own your home, your landlord isn’t keen on a multi-meter barre being installed or you have a mobile lifestyle.
It’s also great if you want to try out a few different rooms out in your home, kind of impossible to do with a fixed ballet barre.
Ballet Barre Size
No home ballet barre is the same and there are a few considerations to make when it comes to size. In general the horizontal bar height should fall level with your elbow or with your hand when in second position. This can be difficult to judge when ordering online, so adjustable bars (more on that later) can be a good choice.
The length of the horizontal bar on average is 122cm (4ft), but depending on your available home space, you may require something shorter or longer. Make sure you measure your designated “home studio” space before ordering. This is especially important if ordering a fixed barre.
The diameter of the rail can also vary, so keep in mind if you prefer a thinner or thicker ballet exercise rail.
Weight Capacity
On average a home ballet barre has the capacity to support 135kg (300lb), however you’ll want to pay particular attention to this when choosing your ballet barre. Consider if you’ll be the only one using it at a time or if your children, or other’s in the house will also be adding to the weight strain.
Additionally, note that wood barres while heavier, will also usually hold more weight than a metal or PVC barre.
Single or Double Bar
After size and weight capacity, the most important decision you’ll make with your home ballet barre is of course, how many horizontal bars you think you’ll need.
Typically you’ll have two main choices; a single or double bar.
A single bar is just what it sounds like, one bar running horizontally for you to hang on to. This option is typically simpler and slightly cheaper.
The double bar options will have two bars running parallel horizontally, with one slightly lower than the other. This is great if you require a slightly lower barre for stretching or require a different height depending on your flexibility day-to-day. These are usually a bit more expensive.
At the end of the day you’ll have to decide what makes sense to you and your comfort level.
Material
You will typically have the choice between wood, iron, aluminum and sometimes PVC for your home ballet barre. All have their pros and cons, you’ll just need to decide what makes sense for you and your home studio.
Typically aluminium is going to be more lightweight and easier to keep clean. However, it’s a bit of a strange feel if you’re used to a traditional wood barre in the studio. It also can be cold to the touch during winter months, important to keep in mind.
Wood is the more traditional choice, and what you’ll likely be used to from the ballet studio. However, it’s heavier, less portable and less common in home barres. Not to mention more expensive and a bit trickier to clean.
Iron can also be a good “happy medium” choice, as it’s sturdy like wood put can be a bit lighter and easier to keep clean.
PVC is going to be the lightest material option, which makes it good if you move house often, or live a more mobile lifestyle, however it’s not the most durable or long-lasting. Thus, if you’ll be staying put and want something for longer than a couple years, go with one of the previous options.
Top Home Ballet Barres in the UK
BuoQua Freestanding 1.5M Ballet Barre
No products found.The BuoQua freestanding home ballet barre is one of the most durable and longest-lasting on the market. The wood double bars and strong steel brackets ensure a high weight capacity and durability to last decades, no matter how many hours a week you (and others) put in at the barre.
This ballet barre provides many variations for height, ensuring options for you (depending on the day and your flexibility level) and others if it will be a shared barre in the house.
No products found.
GYMAX Freestanding Double Ballet Barre
The GYMAX adjustable freestanding double ballet barre is a great, flexible choice of home ballet barre. The powder-coasted iron material is an easy-to-clean choice and light enough to move to different rooms in the house if necessary.
The double bars are adjustable in height and the non-skid rubber feet ensure your floors will be well protected! A great choice for the “mobile” ballet dancer.
*Note the lower weight capacity.
- Powder-coated iron material
- Adjustable height
- No-skid feet
- 50Kg weight capacity
- 123.01 X 70.99 X 119cm
Ash Wood Fixed Ballet Barre
Not a fan of portable ballet barres? Want a bit more permanent fixture in you home studio space? Then this Ash wood fixed ballet barre is the perfect choice!
Complete with the beautiful nickel wall brackets and easy installation kit, you’ll love how it looks in your home studio. It’s beautifully made and will be a pleasure not only to dance with but to look at as well.
Note the single bar is non-adjustable, so make sure the dimensions make sense for you!
- Wood material
- Nickel wall brackets
- Matte finish
- Single bar
- 195 X 4.19 X 4.19 cm
Klarfit Bar Lerina Single Freestanding Ballet Barre
This single, freestanding adjustable ballet barre may just be the perfect choice for ballet dancers on the go.
The combination of lightweight wood and iron pieces break down into transportable pieces that easily fit into a dance bag. The adjustable bar is perfect for maximum flexibility.
Whether you live in a shared house and need to be mindful of where you dance on the daily, or prefer to practice in the park on sunny days, the Klarfit Bar Lerina will ensure no matter your choice of venue, ballet is an option!
- Wood & iron material
- Adjustable height
- Single bar
- Easily transported
- 70 X 110 X 130 cm
Kays Single 1M Dual-Use Ballet Barre
No products found.The Kays dual-use barre may just be the most versatile home ballet barre out there. The single bar is made of durable tubular steel material with an adjustable height.
However, the best part about this barre is that you can choose whether you’d like to install it as a “fixed” barre in your home or put it together as a freestanding barre.
It’s the best of both worlds, ensuring many choices for the dancer with a frequently changing lifestyle!
No products found.
Kays Portable Freestanding Home Ballet Barre
No products found.This Kays bar may be made out of wood, but it’s just as portable as any steel or iron bar. The stainless steel brackets ensure stability and give it a classic look against the wood bar material.
It’s sturdy and durable and perfect for beginners (children and adults alike).
The best feature however, is the 500kg weight capacity, ensuring you and your roommate or child can dance together without fear!
No products found.
Avonstar Classics Range Double Ballet Barre
This British made portable double ballet barre is a great choice for dancers of all levels! The stainless steel material gives the barre a fresh look, while maintaining a light and portable weight.
The double bars are adjustable ensuring maximum flexibility.
- Stainless steel material
- Double bar
- Adjustable height
- Made in the UK
- 200 X 36 X 90/110 cm
Costway Freestanding Double Ballet Barre
The Costway freestanding double barre is a wonderful choice for your home studio! The high quality steel is treated to be rustproof, ensuring a long-lasting barre with a decent weight capacity.
The double bars are detachable, thus you can convert it to a single freestanding barre should it suit you. It’s also easy to breakdown and fit in a dance bag, ensuring you can dance anywhere!
- Iron material
- Double bar
- Portable
- 50 kg weight capacity
- 123 X 71 X 119cm
Sfeomi Freestanding Ballet Barre for Kids
Most of the home ballet barres in this guide are targeted to an adult audience and while some have adjustable height features, none are specifically designed for children like the Sfeomi freestanding ballet barre for kids.
The hardwood bar material and steel feet ensure even the most energetic young dancer won’t be able to do too much damage to this ballet barre. The adjustable height feature and 550kg weight capacity ensures your kid will be able to grow with this barre over the years.
Read more: Best ballet shoes for kids
The best feature however, is that it easily breaks down into portable pieces. This means your child can practice in the living room, their bedroom or bring it along for a day in the park!
- Hardwood & steel material
- Double bar
- Adjustable height
- 550kg weight capacity
- Portable
Katz Dancewear Freestanding 2M Ballet Barre
This is a great multi-dancer household home ballet barre. The Katz freestanding, portable balle barre is a simple single bar design that is easy to put-together.
This is one of the most adjustable barres out there, in addition to the common adjustable height feature, the length of the bar can also be modified. The bar comes in 3 pieces, so depending on who (or how many) people in your house are dancing at a time, you can change the amount of space it takes up.
This is the perfect bar for families with multiple ballet dancers!
- Single bar
- Adjustable height
- Portable
- Adjustable length
FAQS for Use
Is adjustable height worth it?
Many home ballet barres will come with adjustable height, meaning you can move the horizontal bars up and down for a customized height. This is typically more common in portable ballet barres than fixed barres, since the latter are well, fixed. Although it can be an option.
Adjustable barres can be slightly more expensive, but the flexibility they provide can be worth it.
If you’re someone who leans towards double barred barres for the dual option, adjustable height may be the feature you’re looking for. Perfect if your leg needs something higher or lower depending on flexibility on different days. Or if you have children or others in your home that are of different height than you, and thus require a barre at a different height.
Where to install in your home?
As mentioned above, where you choose to set up your home studio is very important. This is especially true if you’ll be installing a fixed barre that cannot be moved to another room after installation.
You’ll want a room or area with a lot of open space, not too much furniture and ideally somewhere secluded and quiet where you won’t be interrupted while dancing.
Natural light is always a good idea, whether setting up a home office, workspace or ballet studio.
Make sure others (if you’re cohabitating) in your home are aware of your plans and are okay with it, especially if you’ll be taking over an entire room.
Often it’s necessary to use a “dual purpose” room that doubles as a ballet studio, such as a family room or home gym.
How long do they last?
As long as you don’t buy some super cheap, sketchy barre off of Craiglist, home ballet barres will last anywhere between a couple of years to a couple of decades. This is assuming of course, you care for them by cleaning regularly and storing in a safe place away from pets and children.
Wood barres, while more expensive also tend to be “life long” ballet barres, provided no damage by pets, children or other pieces of furniture happens.
Aluminum or PVC will be more “flimsy”, but again barring any collisions with other entities, are a good investment.
However, if you find after years and years with your barre it’s looking worn down or has a few cuts and bruises, it’s always nice to upgrade for aesthetics.
Our Top Picks
Our pick for the most versatile home ballet is the Sfeomi 5ft Portable Barre. As a portable free-standing barre, it’s a great choice for your first home barre. We also love that it’s made from sanded hardwood and fixed with steel. The fact that it’s a double barre and suitable for both kids and adults gives it great flexibility for multiple dancers in the home!
The most portable ballet barre is definitely the Klarfit Bar Lerina. This single adjustable barre is a simple design and lightweight. It’s best feature however is it’s easy to break down and put back up. The individual pieces that fit into a dance bag so depending on the day, you can dance in the living room, the park or the break room at work (maybe check with your boss first!).
Finally, our best pick overall is the BuoQua freestanding ballet barre. The double bars are adjustable for multiple height options while the non-slip feet make it the most sturdy of choices. The wood material gives it a classic studio feel, and while it’s not the most portable it’s durable, strong and the perfect choice for any home studio!
References:
https://thefrisky.com/how-to-choose-a-ballet-barre/
https://hobbylark.com/performing-arts/How-To-Make-A-Ballet-Barre-For-Home-Use
https://fitnesspurity.com/diy-ballet-bar-home/
Last update on 2024-06-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
