The 5 Best Home Ballet Barres – Ultimate Purchase Guide
A home ballet barre is an essential piece of equipment that replicates ballet barres found in dance studios.
It enables aspiring dancers to practise and perfect their ballet techniques and movements within the comfort of their own home dance studio.
The good news is that there is a wide range of styles available to suit your individual preferences and needs.
So say goodbye to a wobbly chair, and hello to new opportunities.
In this blog post, I’ll step you through the important aspects to consider when buying a home ballet barre, and give you my top five picks.
WHAT IS THE BEST HOME BALLET BARRE?
The best home ballet barre is the Harlequin Studio Series Barre. However, this may vary from one dancer to the next.
Therefore, when selecting a ballet barre for home use, it’s important to consider individual preferences, specific needs, space, budget and circumstances.
Luckily, most brands offer a wide range of options.
So always read the reviews and consider the features that matter most to you before making a purchase.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A HOME BALLET BARRE?
When selecting a home ballet barre, there are several key factors to consider based on your needs as a dancer and the space available in your home.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what to look for:
FIXED OR PERMANENT
When choosing a ballet barre for home use, the first decision to make is whether you prefer a fixed or portable option.
Fixed barres offer excellent support and stability, but as the name suggests, you can’t move them easily once installed.
Therefore, it’s crucial to carefully select the location for a fixed barre because relocating it later can be challenging.
On the other hand, portable barres provide flexibility and can be easily moved to different rooms or spaces, making them convenient for shared areas.
They also allow you to experiment with different practice locations within your home (perfect if you’re not sure if a room is big enough).
ADJUSTABILITY
Home ballet barres are available in various sizes and heights, which can make it challenging to choose the right one, especially when buying online.
This is why opting for adjustable options can be a great choice, as they offer flexibility to customise the barre to your preferred height and space requirements.
Additionally, if you’re still growing and think you will need to adjust the barre’s height over time, I’d recommend opting for an adjustable barre.
STURDINESS AND STABILITY
A home ballet barre should be sturdy and stable, capable of supporting your weight during exercises without wobbling or shaking.
A reliable home ballet barre is crucial for learning and practising fundamental movements effectively and safely.
This provides a solid foundation for performing more complex and challenging movements in the centre, without a fear of slipping over.
If you visualise it, the barre is like the roots of a tree, providing a stable foundation and support for your ballet practice and growth as a dancer.
MATERIAL AND SIZE
There is a wide variety of materials to choose from for ballet barres, including wood, aluminium, or steel.
Your choice may depend on personal preference, aesthetics, durability, and maintenance preferences.
For instance,
The typical length of a ballet barre ranges from approximately 4 feet to 6 feet (1.22m to 1.83m for those more familiar with the metric system).
Before making a purchase, be sure to use a tape measure to confirm that you have enough space in your chosen area, especially if you are considering a fixed barre.
This step will help ensure that the barre fits perfectly in your designated practice space.
Additionally, choose a width that allows for a comfortable grip, similar to a standard ballet barre.
SINGLE OR DOUBLE BARRE
This is a matter of personal preference.
While some dancers may prefer the versatility of a double barre for various exercises and stretching purposes, others, like myself, may opt for a standard single barre which proves more than sufficient for home ballet practice and is a slightly cheaper option.
INSTALLATION
Equally important to consider is the installation process.
Some barres need to be wall-mounted, while others are freestanding and can be set up quickly without drilling.
MY TOP 5 HOME BALLET BARRE PICKS
While every dancer will have a preference for the type of home ballet barre they wish to use, here are my top picks from reliable brands that offer quality home ballet barres.
Remember, quality comes at a price, and a home ballet barre can be a significant investment.
Cheaper options may not always provide the durability, stability, and functionality needed for effective ballet practice (which defeats the purpose).
I’ve scored each product below out of 5 and rated them based on their practicality, strength, materials, installation and price.
HARLEQUIN STUDIO SERIES BARRE
Harlequin’s Studio Series Freestanding Ballet Barre combines lightweight construction with stability.
FEATURES
Made from aluminium featuring a smooth silver finish with a sanded texture. This barre is equipped with adjustable feet for added versatility.
It’s quick and easy to assemble and comes in two lengths: 52 inches (1.32m) and 72 inches (1.83m).
PRICE RANGE
Starting from $259 (USD)
AVAILABLE AT
OVERALL SCORE:
5 (top pick)
4FT BOSS BARRE INTERMEDIATE
The 4ft Boss Barre Intermediate is a portable double ballet barre for dancers with limited space, offering top-quality construction and performance.
FEATURES
It’s designed with high-quality materials, striking a balance between strength and durability.
This portable barre can be effortlessly moved from room to room.
Similarly, the centre barre is adjustable in height, and it’s available in three stylish colours: black, white, and pink.
But, this part is only available in one size (4ft).
PRICE RANGE
$299 (USD)
AVAILABLE AT
OVERALL SCORE
4.8
DINAMICA PRIMA BALLET BARRE
The Dinamica Prima Ballet Barre is a lightweight and portable option that allows for easy movement while providing stable support for your ballet training needs.
FEATURES
It’s an elegant and professionally finished steel ballet barre, weighing only 17 kilograms (their lightest barre option), and the most affordable portable ballet barre in their collection.
It can be assembled quickly (with a screwdriver and Allen key) making setup a breeze.
Available in three different barre lengths (1m, 1.5m, and 2m).
PRICE RANGE
Between $390– $450 (USD) (definitely on the pricey end)
AVAILABLE AT
OVERALL SCORE
4.9
VITA VIBE PRODIGY SERIES BARRE
The Vita Vibe Prodigy Series Ballet Barre is a high-quality aluminium double ballet barre perfect for home ballet practice.
FEATURES
It’s a strong, lightweight and easy to move ballet barre, with both crossbarres fully adjustable.
The feet pivot for quick and easy storage and provide grip without damaging the floor.
Assembly requires no tools.
Available in five different barre lengths (4ft, 5ft, 6ft, 7ft, 8ft) making it an ideal choice no matter the size of the room.
PRICE RANGE
From $120- $190 (USD)
AVAILABLE AT
OVERALL SCORE
4.5
SELEWARE WALL MOUNTED BALLET BARRE
The Seleware Wall Mounted Ballet Barre is a sleek, strong, and sturdy wall-mounted ballet barre.
FEATURES
This is a real wood ballet barre with sturdy metal construction.
The brackets of the barre feature a rust-proof, elegant black finish.
This barre is easy to install and provides strong, sturdy support for ballet practice.
Available in lengths ranging from 4ft to 12ft.
PRICE RANGE
Between $65- $130 (USD)
AVAILABLE AT
OVERALL SCORE
4.4
Note: It’s a good idea to purchase a ballet barre from a reputable manufacturer which ensures that you ́re investing in a quality product that is durable and made from reliable materials and that you ́re getting your money’s worth.
Barres are expensive so do your research!
HOME BALLET BARRE ALTERNATIVES
While having a home ballet barre is certainly beneficial for many dancers, it may not be feasible or necessary for everyone, especially those who are restricted by space and budget constraints, or don’t have their own home dance studio.
You can try several alternative solutions such as using common household items or testing out your DIY skills with the help of YouTube.
CHAIR OR TABLE
Using a sturdy chair or table (i.e. kitchen counter) for ballet practice can be a practical alternative that still allows for effective training and improvement.
While it may not offer the utmost stability, using household equipment for ballet practice is cost-effective, space-saving, and remarkably versatile (just make sure you have enough space for grand battement!).
WALL MOUNTED HANDRAILS
Installing a sturdy handrail securely on a wall provides a stable and adjustable ballet barre setup, perfect for small spaces.
This flexible option allows for customised installation at your desired height, and the necessary equipment is easily accessible at local hardware stores, making setup quick and effortless.
PVC PIPE OR DOWEL ROD
If you’re in the mood for a DIY project, you can create a makeshift ballet barre using a PVC pipe or wooden dowel rod.
Be sure to choose a pipe or rod width that resembles a standard ballet barre (between 1-2 inches), making it comfortable for your hand to grasp during practice.
Secure the material between two sturdy hooks attached to a wall, and you’ll have your own personalised home ballet barre that is budget-friendly, simple to set up and can be adjusted to different heights according to your preferences.
You can take it a step further by applying a coat of paint to give your home ballet barre an overall polished and finished look.
WRAP UP
If you’re committed to advancing your practice and taking it to the next level, practising ballet at home away from the studio can give you that extra edge.
Having a home ballet barre provides essential support and comfort.
While it may require an initial investment, owning a home ballet barre is a worthwhile long-term investment into your dance future.
Keep in mind, that if you are tight on space and a budget, there are options available that can suit your needs and help you achieve your dance goals and dreams.
