About Teaching Barre
Do I need a ballet barre to teach barre fitness?
Yes, a barre is required to properly and safely perform the moves, but it doesn’t have to be a permanently installed barre– all of our workouts can be done with a freestanding or portable barre. A portable barre actually benefits students as it forces them to use more core strength and encourages proper alignment.
Can I use chairs instead of a ballet barre?
Yes, however, you will be teaching a “Barre” class and you should be using the proper equipment. A ballet barre encourages safety and proper alignment, and some chairs are not a safe option.
Can I use Barre Certification as an addition to the programs I already use with my clients?
Yes! We highly encourage cross-training. The skills developed by barre training are a great complement to other programs and vice-versa.
Can I integrate components of the Barre Certification program into my private training?
Yes, you can incorporate components of the Barre Certification program into your personal training with private clients. A lot of the exercises in the Barre Certification program are very beneficial, especially if you have clients with injuries.
Is barre fitness a good fit for different age groups?
Yes! Our Barre Certification program teaches low or no-impact techniques that are easily adjusted according to students’ individual capabilities. The average age of the students in our studios is 30-55 years– we have even had ladies in their 70s enjoying the class! We have taught this program to a number of happy seniors (men and women) ranging from 60-85 years of age.
Is barre training suitable for pregnant women?
Yes, barre training is safe for pregnant women, but the moves and techniques must be modified for safety and comfort. The Barre Level 1 program is a foundational course; we do not train you to teach pre-natal and post-natal women at this level. To safely teach pregnant women, you need an additional Prenatal Barre Certification, which can be completed after you have passed the Barre Level 1 Course. If you have an existing certification for teaching pregnant women, you can easily incorporate a majority of our barre program into a class using specific modifications that are provided in the training materials.
Do you have any insurance recommendations?
We recommend getting insurance through ACE (the American Council of Exercise)—to learn about current options, please visit their website: http://www.acefitness.org/insurancecenter/. If you are located outside the U.S. and need help finding insurance, please contact us and we will try to help you find options for your location.
About the IBBFA Barre Instructor Certification
What are the requirements for Barre Certification?
To become IBBFA-Certified, you need a fitness background or work experience, and must have a current teaching certification in group fitness, yoga, Pilates, or something equivalent. If you do not have any of these requirements, you may take the Barre Essentials Course as a prerequisite (Included in the Gold Package). Upon completion of the course with a 70% or higher you may continue with the Barre Level 1 Certification program.
If I’m not currently employed by or working at a gym or studio, can I still get certified and teach barre to clients?
Yes. You do not need to be currently employed to get certified, and once certified, you can teach anywhere you choose—at a studio, gym, clients’ homes, etc.
Once certified, where can I teach barre?
As long as you have a current IBBFA Certification, you can teach anywhere—we do not require a licensing fee. You can teach at a gym, private studio or as a private instructor. As an independent contractor, you can teach anywhere you want. If you are an employee of a private studio or gym, make sure your contract includes wording that you are an IBBFA-Certified Barre Instructor, and that you are the only one certified to teach barre– this usually is not a problem. The only difference between teaching as an independent contractor and an employee is that for employees, the gym or the studio is the one that pays for the certification, so they may only allow you to teach those classes at that specific location.
Is the IBBFA Barre Certification accepted by all gyms and studios?
We have never had a problem with Barre Certification being accepted in a facility—most owners come to us because they want to offer barre training at their facility and need qualified instructors. But it is always ultimately up to the discretion of the gym or studio that would be offering the classes whether to accept the certification. If you are unsure whether a particular facility will accept the certification, we recommend you speak with the owner about the program and determine whether it is a good fit for them before you sign up.
How quickly after I receive my certification can I teach barre classes?
As soon as you receive notification that you have passed your final evaluation, you can start teaching immediately. We will email you a copy of your evaluation as soon as it has been graded, and you will receive a copy of your evaluation and your printed certificate by mail within 1-2 weeks of completion.
Will Barre Certification Level 1 qualify me to teach pregnant women?
No, Barre Level 1 is a foundational course and we do not specifically train you to teach pre-natal and post-natal women at this level. To safely teach pregnant women, you need an additional Prenatal Barre Certification, which can be completed after you have passed the Barre Level 1 Course. If you have an existing certification for teaching pregnant women, you can easily incorporate a majority of our barre program into a class using specific modifications that are provided in the training materials.
Will Barre Certification qualify me to teach other instructors, so they can offer it to their clients?
No. Only Master-Level Barre Certified Instructors are permitted to teach IBBFA Barre Courses—additional knowledge and training is needed to train other instructors. If you are interested in becoming a Master-Level Barre Certified Instructor, please let us know after you earn your Barre Level 1 Certification and we will outline the process for you.
Are there other barre certifications available through IBBFA?
YES! We offer several additional advanced-level certifications for IBBFA-Certified instructors. We currently offer Barre Essentials, Barre Level 1, Barre Level 2, Barre Level 3, Stretch & Tone, Pre & Post-Natal Barre Certifications. Master Level Certification is currently available to a limited number of Trainees and will be available to everyone shortly.
About the IBBFA Barre Certification Program
How long does it take to complete the program and get certified?
The program includes approximately 35 (Essentials: 8hrs & Barre Fundamentals: 27hrs) hours of instruction and can be completed in as little as 2-4 weeks. It is a self-paced, online self-study program, designed to fit your needs and schedule. After purchasing the Gold package you will have 6 months to complete the program. An account extension of $9.94 per month will be automatically applied to your account if you need more time to complete the certification process or would like to maintain access to the course materials. This subscription can be cancelled at any time..
How does the program work?
The program is completely online and available to anyone around the world. All you have to do is enroll and activate your account via email, and you’re ready to begin. Unlike other online programs, you will have access to the instructional materials immediately. As you complete each module, the next module’s materials will become available to you. The course work review at the end of each module are not graded—they are a way to review the material you just learned to make sure you understand the concepts covered, and help you prepare for the final exam.
The Final Written Exam is located in the last module. Once you have received a passing grade of 80% or better on the Final Written Exam, you are free to work on the Practical Exam. For the Practical Exam, you will submit a video showcasing the skills you have learned throughout your training for evaluation by our Master Instructors.
Once you have successfully completed the Practical Exam and received a passing evaluation, you will receive your certification, and are now able to teach Barre to your community.
Do the program materials include a printed book or instructional manual?
No, but you can easily print the materials from your home as needed. Because we are continuously updating the program materials, all materials are digital files that can be viewed or downloaded online. You are free to print the instructional manual yourself if you wish.
How do I get help and feedback while working on my certification?
All certification levels include unlimited online support in our members-only community and through phone/email support. One-on-one help by phone, email and Facebook group is provided from registration and beyond. Skype support is available with our upgraded certification options. If you want feedback on your technique before the video practical exam, you are welcome to submit video via the online community for us to review/critique. We are happy to help you every step of the way. Support does not end when the training ends! We value our instructors from around the world and make our individualized support the highest priority.
How many times can I submit my Practical Exam video?
You can submit your Practical Exam video up to two times before there is a resubmission fee. We also offer an option Skype test-out at $59/session (if you don't show up at agreed upon time, you forfeit the session fee and will need to purchase a new session)
Is an in-person certification course available?
Yes, we offer private in-person certification workshops across the U.S. for groups of at least 8 students, but attendance at an in-person workshop is not required in order to get certified. If you are interested in facilitating an in-person workshop, please contact us.
How much does it cost to get certified?
The cost of the certification currently $497 with optional upgrades at the time of your checkout. The program fee includes all program materials, access to support, processing, taxes and shipping of your completed documents.
What does the program fee include?
Gold Program $497 USD:
- Barre Essentials course (optional, needs to be completed only if you have no previous teaching/training experience)
- Barre Level 1: Fundamentals of Barre Course
- 6-months of access to all program study materials (instructional manual, videos and quizzes) – the materials for each module become available when you satisfactorily complete the previous module.
- Access to our members-only professional form, where you can ask questions, submit video for feedback and get support, BarreCast, and our helpful Blog.
- Inclusion in our official online Directory of IBBFA-Certified Instructors.
- Ready to teach class outlines
- Member ID Card
- BarreSlim pre-choreographed and branded classes, 8-week challenge for clients, practice videos and user guides
- BarreZen classes ( 2 sample classes, with video demonstrations and accompanying playlists)
What if I do not finish my certification in time?
If you do not finish your certification within the given timeframe, an account extension for $9.94 per month will automatically be applied to your account. You can opt out by either canceling it in your billing area or contacting us requesting the cancellation.
NOTE: If your account goes inactive and you wish to complete your certification at a later date, an account reactivation fee of $29 will be required ($29 for the first reactivated month and $9.95/month after that).
What are BarreZen classes?
BarreZen classes may be purchased for small fee and gives you access to class outline, videos, spotify playlist.
How do I renew my Barre Level 1 Certification?
To keep your certification active, you can either purchase the Barre Level 1 Renewal Quiz for $59 that includes the current manual and a renewal quiz. The Renewal is good for two years. Or, if you would like to continue you Barre education, you can purchase and complete any one of the following Barre programs to renew your original Barre Level 1 Certification for an additional two years: Barre Level 2, Barre Level 3, Stretch & Tone, or Prenatal Barre.
Do you offer a discount for companies with multiple instructors who want to get certified?
Yes, we offer a Corporate Level Barre Certification for groups of 15 or more (purchased at one time). Please use a web-form to contact us.
Can I transfer my purchased course to another instructor?
We occasionally get requests to transfer packages to another instructor for any number of reasons.
If you have not yet completed the "(Ch 7 & Ch8) - Lower Body" you can transfer the course to another instructor. We require a written request with the contact information of the instructor who wishes to receive the course on your behalf. The transfer fee is 50% of the current cost of the program. If the access to the account is currently expired, this fee is 75% of the current cost. Once the fee has been processed, the current account holder will lose all access to course materials and the new account owner will receive new access as well as a 6 month extension to the program from the date of payment.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.
Is there a program demo I can view before I sign up?
We offer a RISK-FREE trial for 30 days or before completion of Unit 9 (written test), whichever comes first as part of our Gold Package so you can purchase with confidence knowing that if for any reason you decide the program is not for you, you will receive full refund. For those that choose to buy Silver Package, the refund offer does not apply. Please do not purchase the Silver Package if you believe you may need a refund within the 30-days.
What is your refund policy?
We are so sure you will love our online training; we proudly offer a 30-day money back guarantee. Once you have registered for the Barre Level 1 program, you have 30 days or until you submit Unit 9 - 'Capstone, Real Client Scenarios' (whichever comes first) to request a refund. We are unable to issue refunds after 30 days or submission of Unit 9.
All sales are final for purchases associated with the following products: Level 2, Level 3, Stretch & Tone and Prenatal courses. Silver Packages for Level 1 are final sale as well.
If you requested and were provided a refund on a product and then choose to purchase it again in the future, no sales or promotions will apply to the product. You be required to pay the full price on that product.
To request a refund, contact us. We will issue a refund to your original method of payment within 2 business days of receiving your request.
Optional Video-Conference Testout FAQ
What does the fee include?
A one-on-one Video-Conference session with a Master Instructor fee is $59 and will include 15 minutes before the hour to go over any final questions and clarify the expectations. If an instructor is deemed un-prepared, at the Master Instructor’s discretion, they will need to reschedule or submit a video. The total 75-minute session will include evaluation and pass/fail analysis as well as demonstrations of proper form by the Master Instructor when necessary.
Do I need to take the written test before I can schedule my Test Out?
It is a requirement to have passed the written exam with an 80% or higher before beginning the Practical Exam. Once you have passed the exam you will be able to access Unit 11 with the Practical Exam guide and options to schedule a Video-Conference session or submit a video.
What happens if I schedule an appointment but can’t make it?
We have a 24-hour cancelation/missed appointment policy. If for any reason you are unable to attend your test-out session, you must cancel within 24-hours. If this does not occur, you will need to purchase and schedule again or submit a video instead.
Is the Video-Conference test easier than the video submission?
The face-to-face option is preferred by some instructors because they are able to get instant feedback, ensure all required components are included right away and they can do it without a student. The requirements for both versions of the Test-out will follow the same guidelines and to ensure quality evaluations are provided, the level of difficulty is the same.
Can the Video-Conference Test-out be done in other languages?
At this time, English, Russian and Spanish are available any time. Additional languages may be available upon request.
I have a specific medical need; can I still test out with Video-Conference?
We have helped instructors from 9-months pregnant to 100% blind instructors test out via Video-Conference. Our team is willing to accommodate your needs in any way we can! Please let us know if you need additional assistance at the time of scheduling.
What if I purchase a Video-Conference test-out but can’t find a time that works with the schedule?
You will be asked to provide 3 preferred time slots with our scheduling team. If we are unable to satisfy any of those times, we will provide a full refund and direct you to submit a practical exam video.
Is Video-Conference faster than a pre-recorded video to getting certified?
You will receive immediate verbal confirmation at the end of your Video-Conference session if you are approved for certification. Your official certification processing will take 2-3 days. A digital scanned copy will be emailed to you at that time. If you are unable to schedule time at a studio or with a student, a Video-Conference option may allow you to get your Practical Exam completed without those limitations. Please contact us if you are unsure which test option is right for you.
Who will I be doing my Test-out? Will it be secure?
As with both the video submissions and Video-Conference sessions, only your Master Reviewer and Processor will see your submission. We will keep all recordings of live sessions and submissions for up to 2 years on our private server in compliance with various organizations, where we are a continued education credit provider (ACE, CanfitPro etc..).
My internet connection is not great, which test-out option is better?
If you are able to do your Video-Conference session in a different location, it does not need to be at a studio or gym. Please note, you will need to fully demonstrate all exercises in your practical (so a coffee shop is not recommended!!). Alternatively, if you have all video submission files on your device, you can upload them to your account when in a good high speed internet location. Either option is fine. Please use the following link to test your system to make sure your system meets requirements to use the Video-Conference Option: Zoom system requirements
Still have questions?
Contact us by email: "Click Here" or Call 1 (888) 215-0101
A one-on-one Video-Conference session with a Master Instructor fee is $59 and will include 15 minutes before the hour to go over any final questions and clarify the expectations. If an instructor is deemed un-prepared, at the Master Instructor’s discretion, they will need to reschedule or submit a video. The total 75-minute session will include evaluation and pass/fail analysis as well as demonstrations of proper form by the Master Instructor when necessary.
It is a requirement to have passed the written exam with an 80% or higher before beginning the Practical Exam. Once you have passed the exam you will be able to access Unit 11 with the Practical Exam guide and options to schedule a Video-Conference session or submit a video.
We have a 24-hour cancelation/missed appointment policy. If for any reason you are unable to attend your test-out session, you must cancel within 24-hours. If this does not occur, you will need to purchase and schedule again or submit a video instead.
The face-to-face option is preferred by some instructors because they are able to get instant feedback, ensure all required components are included right away and they can do it without a student. The requirements for both versions of the Test-out will follow the same guidelines and to ensure quality evaluations are provided, the level of difficulty is the same.
At this time, English and Spanish are available any time. Additional languages may be available upon request.
We have helped instructors from 9-months pregnant to 100% blind instructors test out via Video-Conference. Our team is willing to accommodate your needs in any way we can! Please let us know if you need additional assistance at the time of scheduling.
You will be asked to provide 3 preferred time slots with our scheduling team. If we are unable to satisfy any of those times, we will provide a full refund and direct you to submit a practical exam video.
You will receive immediate verbal confirmation at the end of your Video-Conference session if you are approved for certification. Your official certification processing will take 2-3 days. A digital scanned copy will be emailed to you at that time. If you are unable to schedule time at a studio or with a student, a Video-Conference option may allow you to get your Practical Exam completed without those limitations. Please contact us if you are unsure which test option is right for you.
As with both the video submissions and Video-Conference sessions, only your Master Reviewer and Processor will see your submission. We will keep all recordings of live sessions and submissions for up to 2 years on our private server in compliance with various organizations, where we are a continued education credit provider (ACE, CanfitPro etc..).
If you are able to do your Video-Conference session in a different location, it does not need to be at a studio or gym. Please note, you will need to fully demonstrate all exercises in your practical (so a coffee shop is not recommended!!). Alternatively, if you have all video submission files on your device, you can upload them to your account when in a good high speed internet location. Either option is fine. Please use the following link to test your system to make sure your system meets requirements to use the Video-Conference Option: https://link.gotomeeting.com/system-check