Do you like ballet? Do you want to have your own space to practice at home or in a studio? Make your own ballet barre with simple materials and simple construction. You can fix it to a wall or make it mobile to stand anywhere in a room.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Make a Barbell
Step 1. Measure and mark the height
Use a tape measure and pencil to mark the height at which you want to attach the bar to the wall. Make the mark for the first bracket, whether it's going to be in the middle of the bar or at one end. Purchase the brackets for stair handrails or closet tubes.
- The ideal height for the bar is at the dancer's waist level or approximately 32 to 46 inches (80 to 115 cm) from the floor.
- Remember that the bar will rest on the supports, so its final height could be a few inches above the mark where these will go.
- It's best if you first check the location of the posts within the wall. For this, you can use an electronic pole finder or find them based on your wall outlets or existing nails. You can also measure ranges of 16 inches (40 cm).
Step 2. Measure and mark the distance between supports
Measure and mark where you want to attach the brackets to the wall. Use a level to make sure they are at the same height. Adjust the number of supports and their spacing according to the length of the bar:
- 1.2 m (4 ft) Bar: 2 brackets 80 cm or 32 inches (20 cm or 8 inches protruding) apart
- 1.8 m (6 ft) Bar: 2 brackets 1.2 m or 48 inches apart (30 cm [12 inches] overhang)
- 2.4 m (8 ft) Bar: 2 brackets 1.6 m or 64 inches apart (40 cm [16 inches] overhangs)
- 3 m (10 ft) Bar: 2 brackets 2 m or 80 inches apart (50 cm [20 inches] overhang)
- 4.2 m (14 ft) bar - 3 supports, 1 in the center with 1.6 m (64 in) of space on each side (50 cm [20 in] overhangs)
- 4.8 m (16 ft) bar: 3 supports, 1 in the center with 2 m or 80 inches of space on each side (40 cm [16 inches] overhangs)
Step 3. Drill out the brackets
Use a drill to fix the brackets where you made the pencil marks.
The number of screws required will depend on the type and size of the brackets. However, you will need enough to fix the brackets to the wall, as well as another for each bracket to fix the tube
Step 4. Drill holes in the tube
Use the same distances that you marked for the brackets on the wall and mark where they will be attached to the wooden tube. Then, drill these marks to later attach the tube more easily to the brackets.
You can also mark the point at which to drill the holes by putting the wooden tube over the brackets and marking where the screws should go. Do this by looking at the bottom of the bar
Step 5. Attach the tube
Get under the bar and have someone hold the wooden tube against the brackets while you screw it into each bracket.
You can also fix the tube to the brackets first and then mount all the equipment on the wall. Just make sure you have someone to help you hold everything level and in place
Method 2 of 2: Make a Moveable Barbell (Standing)
Step 1. Get a PVC pipe for the legs of the bar
Find four 12-inch (30-cm) long pieces of tubing for the base or "legs." Calculate the height at which you want the bar and get two tubes with that measurement. It is best if you cut them a bit more, since the connecting pieces and legs will add height at the end.
- Please note that these pieces are for a single bar. If you want to make a double bar with two different heights, you will need four different sections of tube and two cross joint pieces to make the legs that will complete the desired height.
- The ideal height for the bar is at the dancer's waist level or approximately 32 to 46 inches (80 to 110 cm) from the floor.
Step 2. Use a PVC or wooden pipe to make the bar
Get a PVC or wooden pipe of the length you want for the bar.
- Some of the length of the bar will be lost with the joints when assembling. So it's probably best to add a couple of inches to the length before cutting.
- Remember that you will need two tubes of the same length if you are going to make a bar with two different heights.
Step 3. Get pipe fittings
Buy PVC joint pieces the same diameter as the pipe. You will need six 90 ° angled elbows and two T-shaped cross pieces (with 3 holes).
Remember that if you are making a double bar, you will need two more cross pieces
Step 4. Put the pieces together
Assemble the bar pieces. Join two 12-inch (30-cm) pieces of pipe with a cross piece in the middle and two elbows at the ends. Place the height piece at the cross seam to end the first leg. Assemble the second in the same way.
- For just one bar, attach the PVC or wood tubing to the top of the legs using elbow-shaped jointing pieces at each end.
- To put a double bar, join the PVC or wooden tube that will be the lower bar to the legs with a cross joint. Then put another piece of leg on the cross pieces on both sides. Add the top bar using two elbow pieces at each end.
Step 5. Foam the legs (optional)
If you don't want your bar to slide or scratch the floor, buy foam or rubber to glue to the bottom of the legs, where each elbow joint contacts the floor.
- Cut pieces of foam into squares or circles that fit the bottom of the elbow joints. It doesn't matter if the foam comes off the edges a bit, as this will provide added protection.
- You can use PVC glue to fix the foam to the PVC or buy self-adhesive foam.
Advice
- Paint the bar according to the decoration or the dancer's favorite color!
- Use sandpaper to remove any imprints on the PVC or wooden pipe, especially if you are not going to paint it.