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If you are a bunhead, you know a bunhead or live with a bunhead, you know that they seem to always be dancing.
In fact, I created an in-home practice studio for my bunhead daughter after I found that she was ALWAYS dancing–in the kitchen, in the hallway, in the living room and even in the bathroom, since it was one of the only places in the house with a large mirror. (If you want to read my article about how to create a DYI in-home practice ballet studio click here).
We surprised her with her very own home ballet studio complete with large mirrors, marley dance floor and of course a barre where she could practice and stretch to her heart’s content.
Whether you’re looking to practice your skills at home, or add some extra barre space in the dance studio, you’ll want to make sure you’re getting the best bang for your buck when you invest in this important and necessary ballet tool. Keep reading to see what I looked for in determining my top choices for best ballet barres or click here to see my top picks.
What to Look for in the Best Ballet Bars
If you’re going to invest in your own ballet barre, there are some things you’ll want to consider. Namely you want to think about the where you’ll use your dance bar – will it need to be fixed or portable. Is it going to be a home studio or something you bring out when you want to workout? The size of the area you’ll be practicing should also be considered. Let’s explore some of the things to look for when choosing the best ballet barre for you.
How to Choose a Fitness Bar or Ballet Barre
First, you need to determine if you want a fixed barre mounted on a wall or if you want a portable barre. (See our top rated fixed barre here and our top portable barre here.)
Next you’ll need to determine what length you should purchase. It’s generally recommended to allow at least 2 feet of barre per person if multiple people will be using the bar at the same time. I would think you would want more space for taller and more advanced dancers. You also have to consider that a fixed barre is mounted and one height and if you have a dancer who is growing, or many dancers of different heights, you might want a double fixed barre or a more adjustable option. If you want a portable barre, you’ll need to consider the space you have and the size of the barre’s footprint. You’ll also want to consider if the barre will be used for traditional ballet barre exercises or if it will be used more as a fitness barre. Whatever you plan to use it for, you’ll definitely want a barre that’s sturdy and that can handle regular use.
As you look at my list of top barres, you’ll notice that most of my “top picks” for best ballet barres are manufactured by the same company–a company that specializes in barres for ballet, dance and fitness. Although I looked at many options, I kept coming back to these for their quality and the fact that they come with a 10 year warranty and are made in the USA. I did try to include a lower priced option from other manufacturers however if you are looking for something a little more affordable and are ok with something a little lower in quality. It seemed like so many other barres out there, although they may be way less expensive, seemed to be wobbly and did not look like they would hold up under regular use. Bear in mind though that any ballet barre is not meant to support the full weight of a dancer but are meant to help a dancer with balance. Barres should not be used to hang from–if that’s the kind of barre you’re looking for, you might try looking at a bar designed for gymnastics (i.e. an adjustable gymnastics bar, or balance beam).
Best Fixed Barres For Dancers
Vita Vibe Single Bar Traditional Wood Fixed Height Wall Mount Ballet Barre System
My top choice for a fixed barre is the Vita Vibe Single Bar Traditional Wood Fixed Height Wall Mount Ballet Barre System. It comes in a variety of lengths from 3 ft. – 40 ft. long. The barre itself is a beautiful, sanded, hardwood ash that measures 1 ½ inches in diameter. I prefer the traditional wood barres over metal for the simple fact that wood is warmer to the touch, but this company also offers aluminum fixed barres. The simple and elegant black metal brackets (also available in silver metal finish) can attach to the wall and be placed anywhere along the barre length. This barre comes with a 10 year warranty and is made in the USA.
Vita Vibe – Novelty (Dancer) Wood Wall Mounted Ballet Barre
For younger, aspiring ballerinas I love this option for a fixed barre, made by the same company as my top choice above. It is the Vita Vibe – 3 FT – 5 FT – Novelty (Dancer) Wood Wall Mounted Ballet/Fitness Barre/Bar System with Matching Wall Hook (Fixed Height). It is of the same quality as it’s more elegant older sister, but the steel mounting brackets have a silhouette of a ballerina and come in 5 different colored powder coated finishes: hot pink, light pink, sliver, purple and teal.
This would be the perfect gift for any young dancer.
Vita Vibe – Traditional Wood Double Barre
If you are wanting a wall mounted barre but you need a more adjustable option, then the Vita Vibe – Traditional Wood Double Barre Adjustable Height Wall Mount Ballet Barre – Stretch/Dance Bar USA Made 4 FT – 40 FT might be perfect fit. It also comes in a variety of lengths, starting at 4 ft up to 40 ft. The barres are 1 ½” in diameter and made of hardwood ash and sanded round for comfort.
The steel, black powder coated brackets attach to slide tracks mounted on the wall allowing 36” of height adjustment. Typically double ballet barres are mounted at 42 and 32 inches while fitness barres are mounted at 40 and 36 inches. Although these barres are adjustable, they are not designed for daily adjustment and if that is something you are looking for, one of the adjustable, portable barres listed below might be a better option.
Barres & More Wood Wall Mounted Ballet Barre
My top pick for a less expensive fixed barre is the Barres & More Wood Wall Mounted Ballet Barre. It comes in lengths of 4 or 5 ft along with powder-coated steel mounting brackets in black. The barre itself is sanded ash wood.
Best Portable Barres for Dancers
My top choice in portable barres is not only portable and sturdy enough for moderate commercial use, it’s also adjustable which makes it perfect for home use and a growing bunhead. It is the Vita Vibe Professional Series: Wood Double Bar Freestanding Ballet Barre 4 FT – 8 FT (). The vertical upright barres are made from 14 gauge steel and the crossbars are made of Ash hardwood. Metal clamps allow for the crossbars to be placed at varying heights in 2 ½” increments with indexed markings to allow for level adjustments. The feet are 28” wide and have non-slip rubber to provide a good grip. Lengths are available from 4 ft – 8 ft and like the other Vita Vibe products it’s made in the USA and has a 10 year warranty.
For a studio looking to add some bar space theVita Vibe Extreme Series Ballet Barre – 4 FT – 16 FT – Freestanding Stretch/Dance Bar (8 Ft) () would be an excellent option. Although perfectly suited for a studio setting, this would also be a great portable option for a dancer who wants to turn any space into a serious practice studio at home. This barre is constructed with heavy duty steel and has double barres at fixed heights of 30 and 42 inches above the floor. Like the others it comes with a 10-year guarantee and it also comes in 4ft, 6ft or 12 ft options. The 4ft version found here: comes in 5 different colors (satin silver, hot pink, light pink, purple and teal) of anti-microbial powder coated finish. The feet are 30” wide which aids in making this a very stable, free-standing barre. This barre is also available with solid hardwood ash horizontal barres if you prefer wood.
If you are looking for a true fitness barre, then the Vita Vibe Fitness Barre – Freestanding Stretch/Dance/Pilates Bar/Exercise barre () would be the best option. This barre has the widest feet of all of my top choices at 41” making it stable enough for all of the various fitness barre programs. Diagonal leg braces also add stability and strength. The feet also pivot to flat for storage. The double horizontal barres are fully adjustable up to 44 inches off of the floor and this barre can also support up to 250 pounds. It also has a 10-year warranty and is made in the USA. It comes in 4ft or 6ft options.
My top pick for a more affordable option in portable barres is the Portable Ballet Barre sold by Artan Balance (). This barre is fully adjustable for height and has nice wide, rubber feet. It has a steel tube frame and a wooden horizontal bar. It has single and double bar options. This barre will be more stable compared to other cheaper options, but not nearly as sturdy as my more expensive top picks.
