Work Out Like a Professional Ballerina Thanks to This American Ballet Theatre Class at Equinox

Meredith Lepore
·2 min read

Thanks to a new collaboration between fitness empire Equinox and the American Ballet Theatre (ABT), dancers, fitness enthusiasts, or even fans of the ballet can learn a few tips in a new dance class offered at the gym.

On Nov. 1, Equinox will launch a first-of-its-kind partnership with ABT that will give members a look into the world of professional ballet — going beyond some light stretches and a plié or two. The workout is an intense but fun 50-minute ballet class created in tandem by Equinox instructor, Chris Vo, and ABT corps de ballet member, Katie Boren.

Participants will do across-the-floor combinations, incorporating the fundamentals of ballet with center barre, jumps, turns, and Thera-band sequences to improve posture, flexibility, balance, and mindful movement.

A woman wearing ballet shoes standing in pointe at a studio
A woman wearing ballet shoes standing in pointe at a studio

Luis Alvarez/Getty Images

"As a professional dancer with strong ties to American Ballet Theatre, I am thrilled to introduce the Equinox community to this one-of-a-kind class that celebrates the art and incredible athleticism of ballet," Vo told Travel + Leisure. "Combining the best of classical ballet training and cutting-edge fitness, "Ballet by Equinox x ABT" is a challenging, artful, and immersive class experience that reminds me of being back in the dance studio."

Along with "Center Stage" and "Save the Last Dance" fans, the class is expected to especially appeal to devotees of barre as well as professional and novice dancers. And for those of us who still fantasize about dancing for an audience, the sweat session's grand finale, an across-the-floor segment, is both exhilarating and fun — and almost like taking your curtain call.

The class will be launching in New York City, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C. at about 20 locations total.

"It's been incredible watching Equinox and ABT work together to create such an immersive class experience that embraces high performance through the ultimate culmination of the best in art, culture, and wellness," Boren said. "Having taught master classes for Equinox and personally using Equinox clubs for my own and conditioning to supplement my work at ABT, I'm excited for members to not only get to see a behind-the-scenes look into professional ballet training but also incorporates the athleticism of the art form."