How to Set Up Your Home Studio

For most adults, getting started on their adult ballet journey is the hardest part (once you begin, obsession quickly takes over 😄). Since taking classes from home is one of the most accessible and doable ways to squeeze training into our busy schedules, I wanted to share some the methods and products that I've found most helpful in setting up my own "home ballet studio." (You can also listen to our podcast episode on this topic here.)

First, let's talk products...

1. Marley flooring

Marley is a type of vinyl floor commonly used in dance studios, and especially for ballet. It's a smooth, durable, and slip-resistant material designed to provide a safe surface to dance on. For ballet dancers (specifically in pointe shoes), marley helps to ensure proper grip and prevent slips while also not creating too much traction (which is hard on the knees when pivoting, turning, etc.). All that to say, marley flooring is arguably the best surface on which to practice ballet. I purchased a roll on Amazon about 3 years ago and have absolutely loved it. When I'm not taking class, I simply roll it up (like a giant yoga mat) and put it in the corner of my living room.

2. Ballet barre

Since most of us are limited on space, a portable, free-standing ballet barre is a great option for at-home training, as it allows you to move the barre around your home and store it when it's not in use (as opposed to a traditional barre that's anchored to a wall). The best portable barres on the market for adjustability, quality & aesthetics are made by Vita Barre. They have several options for length, material and color, but this one is my personal favorite.

3. Mirror

While a mirror isn't essential for ballet training, it's an invaluable tool for comparing how things feel in your body to how they actually look as you progress in your journey. For example, sometimes we feel like our shoulders are rolled back and pressing down, but a quick glance in the mirror will tell us otherwise (don't feel bad it happens to all of us). 😁 A medium to full-length mirror will be a wonderful addition to your home studio, and you can find some very affordable options, like this one, on Amazon. And keep in mind, it doesn't need to be super large, as you'll be standing several feet away from it!

4. Computer/tablet

As I'm sure you guessed, this is how most of us access ballet classes from home. The options for follow-along classes on YouTube are almost endless! There's also several online platforms that offer a combination of free and paid subscription plans. If you are planning to take live Zoom classes, you will want to have a camera that is integrated with your computer so that the teacher can see you and provide feedback.

Now, let's get into the details of setting up....

First you will want to place your marley mat on a firm, even surface (something firmer than carpet, like hardwood or laminate).

I recommend setting your computer (or whatever device you'll be watching your class on) between chest and eye level, either in front of your mirror or right next to it. This will allow you to maintain correct posture as you watch the screen, while also being able to see your alignment in the mirror.

Personally, I think that the most efficient way to orient your barre is parallel to the camera. Because we switch sides for every exercise at the barre, having your barre placed this way allows you to see your alignment with both your left hand and your right hand on the barre. This orientation also gives the teacher the best view of your alignment, since they're seeing your side profile whether you're working the right or the left side.

Here's a quick video of me setting up my home studio!

I hope this helps as you create your own home ballet studio! As always, I'm here for questions, clarification and support. Feel free to email me at thebusybunhead@gmail.com 🩷

Happy dancing!

Please note: Some of the links in this post are Amazon Affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you decide to make a purchase through them. Thank you for your support!