IBBFA Barre flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Plié

A bend of the knees with simultaneous hip, knee, and ankle flexion. Knees track over the second toe, heels stay grounded unless ankle mobility requires a lift, and the pelvis stays neutral.

Relevé

A heel lift onto the ball of the foot. The ankle stays stacked over the midfoot, toes do not claw, and the rise is controlled rather than ballistic. High half-toe is contraindicated with acute ankle injury.

Tendu vs dégagé

Tendu extends the working leg with the toe touching the floor; dégagé lifts the leg off the floor. The distinction is floor contact, not effort, so both use the same hip and knee tracking.

Pulse set

Small controlled repetitions, usually 8-32, performed in a shortened range and followed by a static hold. The isometric hold carries the main training stimulus, so range must stay controlled throughout.

Functional turnout

Heels together with toes turned out to the client's available hip external rotation, typically 45-90 degrees. It comes from the hip, never from twisting the knees or feet toward 180 degrees.

Knee valgus

Inward collapse of the knee during plié, indicating insufficient gluteus medius and hip external rotator control. Correct by cueing knees over the second toe and reducing depth before adding load.

Gluteus medius role

Abducts the hip and stabilizes the pelvis during single-leg stance. Its weakness produces a dropping opposite hip or knee valgus, making it the key muscle in barre's standing seat series.

Neutral pelvis

Position where the anterior superior iliac spines and pubic symphysis lie in one vertical plane. It preserves lumbar lordosis; a posterior tuck is a deliberate modification, not the default barre stance.

Transverse abdominis co-contraction

The transverse abdominis and pelvic floor contract together before limb movement, raising intra-abdominal pressure and stiffening the spine. This is the biomechanical basis of the 'core engaged' cue.

Eccentric quadriceps action

During the descent of a plié, the quadriceps lengthen under tension to control knee flexion. On the rise they shorten concentrically, so movement tempo determines the training stimulus.

Cue hierarchy

A three-step sequence: name the movement, state the target muscle or sensation, then give one external focus cue. Cap at three cues per set before clients lose the thread.

Modification ladder

An ordered progression for regressing any exercise: reduce range, shorten the lever, slow the tempo, add support such as barre or wall, then reduce load. Offer it before the client asks.

Class intensity curve

Typical 55-minute RPE progression: warm-up 3-4, arm series 4-5, thigh series 6-7, seat series 6-8, core 6-7, cool-down stretch 2-3. It peaks in the seat series and falls before stretch.

Barre music tempo

Roughly 120-135 BPM suits pulse sets, while 90-110 BPM suits controlled large-range work. Tempo that outruns control drives sloppy range and lost alignment.

Osteoporosis exercise limits

Avoid loaded spinal flexion, loaded twisting, and impact. Favor neutral-spine isometric work and hip hinge patterns, which load the hip and spine without the fracture risk of flexed, rotated positions.

Pregnancy modifications

After the first trimester, limit supine positions, avoid deep spinal twisting and high fall risk, and require clearance from the prenatal provider. Offer side-lying, seated, or supported standing alternatives.

Hypermobility precautions

Avoid end-range holds and passive stretching that exploit laxity. Train mid-range strength and cue clients to stop before the end of range rather than pushing deeper into a stretch.

Diastasis recti signs

Doming or coning along the midline during crunch or plank work. Substitute transverse-abdominis breathing and incline or seated positions, and avoid exercises that visibly push the abdominal wall outward.

Rhabdomyolysis warning

Severe muscle soreness with dark urine after unusually heavy eccentric work, such as a first barre class with hundreds of arm repetitions. This requires urgent medical referral, not further training.

Correction sandwich

A feedback structure: name what is working, give one specific correction, then restate the goal. More than one correction per client per set overwhelms and reduces retention.

Hands-on consent protocol

Ask before touching, name the body area and intended direction of the adjustment, and offer a verbal alternative if the client declines. Consent applies to each adjustment, not once per class.

Appearance vs position cues

Position cues describe alignment or sensation, such as knees tracking over toes. Appearance cues, such as toned thighs, are linked to body-image harm and dropout and should be avoided.

Three-level scaling

Offer a base, moderate, and challenge version of every exercise so a mixed-ability room stays engaged. Clients choose their level without being singled out in front of the group.

Pre-participation screening

Document prior injuries and surgeries, current pain, pregnancy status, balance-affecting medications, and exercise history before the first class. Answers drive modifications and referral decisions.

Barre scope of practice

Instructors teach movement, screen participants, and modify exercises. They do not diagnose injuries, prescribe rehabilitation, or provide nutrition therapy, and must refer those needs to licensed professionals.

Liability insurance

Professional coverage held before teaching, naming the studio as additional insured and matching the class types actually taught. Claims-made versus occurrence forms differ in what period they cover.

Incident documentation

A written record of any injury in class, including time, exercise, witnesses, and action taken. Retain waivers, health screens, and incident reports per local statute, commonly 3-7 years.

Cancellation policy

Written terms disclosed at purchase and applied consistently, often a 12-hour window with a late-cancel fee or credit forfeiture. Inconsistent enforcement creates disputes and chargebacks.

Music licensing in class

Public performance of recorded music in a studio requires a performance license. A personal streaming subscription covers individual listening only and does not authorize commercial class use.

Class pack breakage

Revenue from purchased classes never redeemed before expiry. Packs improve upfront cash flow, but unclear expiry terms create liability and consumer-protection complaints, so terms must be explicit.

Attitude and arabesque

Seat-series positions where the hip extends, often with external rotation. Gluteus maximus is the prime mover, and pelvic stability prevents lumbar extension from substituting for hip extension.

Barre as balance aid

Hands rest lightly on the barre for stability only. Visible weight-bearing through the hands signals that the stance, range, or single-leg demand exceeds the client's current control.