Ballet-inspired fitness classes tap the inner ballerina

By Dorene Internicola NEW YORK (Reuters) – Ballet-inspired group fitness classes have leapt beyond the traditional wall-mounted barre to include tools like bungee cords and swishy balls for a full-body workout, according to fitness experts. The classes, often paired with Pilates, aim to channel the inner ballerina, even in non-dancers. BungeeBallet, created by former New York City Ballet dancer Rachel Piskin, is a group class at ChaiseFitness studio in New York City that puts a fitness spin on ballet moves. Instead of the traditional ballet barre, the 45-minute class relies on an overhead bungee system that Piskin said sculpts the arms and challenges the core of her mostly female clientele.