Create the Perfect Ballet Class Warmup Routine

While follow-along warmup videos are convenient, organizing a unique pre-ballet class routine is the best way to prepare. Each body needs certain exercises to feel strong and flexible. Your warmup should be shaped by your strengths and weaknesses and we love to help our students create that tailored warmup. 

The components of the perfect ballet warmup routine

Find Your Deep Core

Focus on gently drawing the belly button to the spine at the same time as you reach the hips and ribs together. Think about your core as a 3D support system.

Activate Your Backbody

Your core includes your entire trunk. Working your back not only supports your arabesque, it also balances out abdominal control.

Mobilize Your Lower Leg

Give some love to the fascia surrounding your calves, shins, ankles, arches, and toes. This protects your lower leg without tiring relevé muscles.

Turn on Larger Leg Muscles

This isn't a workout, just gently activate your glutes, hamstrings, and inner thighs.

Gently Raise Your Heartrate

Introduce aerobic activities like jumping jacks, frog jumps, and grand battements. Do just enough to get you lightly out of breath.

Stretch Dynamically

Flow between positions, feeling length without sitting into the stretch. Concentrate on breath over range of motion.

What about the order?

Now is the time to experiment. Play with not only what exercises you do, but also which order you place them in. Worry less about when you end up doing each exercise and more that you do them. With practice you will find the order that works most organically for your body.

Need help creating your warmup? Book a free trial class and we'll share our favorite warmup PBT exercises with you.