Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Rond de Jambe: The Ballet Hip Mobility Exercise Dancers Do Daily
Day 5 of my 12 Days of Ballet Inspired Fitness! Rond de jambe literally means "circle of the leg" - and this exercise builds hip mobility, control, and strength all at once.
How to do it:
- Standing on one leg, circle your working leg along the floor
- Do 4 circles on the floor (rond de jambe à terre)
- On the 5th circle, lift your leg OFF the floor and circle slowly in the air
- Do this going TO THE FRONT (en dehors)
- Then reverse and circle TO THE BACK (en dedans)
- Switch legs and repeat
- Keep going for 1 minute
Key tips:
✓ Draw a perfect circle—imagine you're tracing along the floor
✓ Keep your standing hip STABLE (don't let it shift)
✓ When you lift to the air, control the lift—slow and smooth
✓ Your working leg stays straight the entire time
✓ Pointed foot throughout
✓ Shoulders stay square over hips (don't twist)
✓ Do BOTH directions: front (en dehors) AND back (en dedans)
This is one of the foundational exercises in every ballet class—it builds the hip mobility and control you see in dancers. The transition from floor to air is where the magic happens! ✨
Which direction is harder for you—front or back? Let me know!
🩰 Follow for Day 6 tomorrow!
📺 Want the full 12-exercise workout? youtu.be/LJoP4yFTLOc
#balletfit #BalletInspiredFitness #BalletWorkout #RondDeJambe #HipMobility #BalletTraining #DancerWorkout #BalletFitness
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💫 I'm Kathryn Morgan, former New York City Ballet soloist. This 12-day series brings you real ballet training—the same exercises professional dancers do every single day!
Subscribe for daily ballet-inspired workouts and 20 years of insider knowledge!
Rond de Jambe: The Ballet Hip Mobility Exercise Dancers Do Daily
Day 5 of my 12 Days of Ballet Inspired Fitness! Rond de jambe literally means "circle of the leg" - and this exercise builds hip mobility, control, and strength all at once.
How to do it:
- Standing on one leg, circle your working leg along the floor
- Do 4 circles on the floor (rond de jambe à terre)
- On the 5th circle, lift your leg OFF the floor and circle slowly in the air
- Do this going TO THE FRONT (en dehors)
- Then reverse and circle TO THE BACK (en dedans)
- Switch legs and repeat
- Keep going for 1 minute
Key tips:
✓ Draw a perfect circle—imagine you're tracing along the floor
✓ Keep your standing hip STABLE (don't let it shift)
✓ When you lift to the air, control the lift—slow and smooth
✓ Your working leg stays straight the entire time
✓ Pointed foot throughout
✓ Shoulders stay square over hips (don't twist)
✓ Do BOTH directions: front (en dehors) AND back (en dedans)
This is one of the foundational exercises in every ballet class—it builds the hip mobility and control you see in dancers. The transition from floor to air is where the magic happens! ✨
Which direction is harder for you—front or back? Let me know!
🩰 Follow for Day 6 tomorrow!
📺 Want the full 12-exercise workout? youtu.be/LJoP4yFTLOc
#balletfit #BalletInspiredFitness #BalletWorkout #RondDeJambe #HipMobility #BalletTraining #DancerWorkout #BalletFitness
---
💫 I'm Kathryn Morgan, former New York City Ballet soloist. This 12-day series brings you real ballet training—the same exercises professional dancers do every single day!
Subscribe for daily ballet-inspired workouts and 20 years of insider knowledge!
