Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Fondu Balance: The Single-Leg Strength Exercise Dancers Swear By
Day 6 of my 12 Days of Ballet-Inspired Fitness! Fondu literally means "melted" in French - and this exercise will MELT your standing leg. It's one of the most challenging single-leg strength builders in ballet.
How to do it:
- Standing on one leg, both legs bend together (plié on standing leg, coupé with working leg)
- Both legs extend together (standing leg straightens, working leg extends front)
- Do 2 front, 2 side, 2 back
- After the last back, BALANCE and hold
- Then reverse the pattern
- Switch legs and repeat
- Keep going for 1 minute
Key tips:
✓ BOTH legs bend at the same time, BOTH legs extend at the same time
✓ Control the bend—don't drop or collapse
✓ Keep your standing heel DOWN during the plié (don't rise to toes)
✓ Working leg stays fully extended when straight
✓ Standing hip stays engaged—don't sink!
✓ The balance at the end tests everything you just worked
✓ Then reverse the pattern: back, side, front
This exercise gets its name because your legs "melt" together like fondue—smooth, controlled, coordinated. Professional dancers do this at the barre to build the single-leg strength needed for jumps and turns. It looks graceful but it BURNS! 🔥
Which direction is hardest for you? Let me know!
🩰 Follow for Day 7 tomorrow!
📺 Want the full 12-exercise workout? youtu.be/LJoP4yFTLOc
#12DaysOfBalletFitness #BalletInspiredFitness #BalletWorkout #Fondu #FonduBalance #SingleLegStrength #BalletTraining #DancerWorkout #BalletFitness
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💫 I'm Kathryn Morgan, former New York City Ballet soloist. Fondu is one of THE hardest exercises at the barre—and now you can do it at home!
Subscribe for daily ballet-inspired workouts that build real dancer strength!
Fondu Balance: The Single-Leg Strength Exercise Dancers Swear By
Day 6 of my 12 Days of Ballet-Inspired Fitness! Fondu literally means "melted" in French - and this exercise will MELT your standing leg. It's one of the most challenging single-leg strength builders in ballet.
How to do it:
- Standing on one leg, both legs bend together (plié on standing leg, coupé with working leg)
- Both legs extend together (standing leg straightens, working leg extends front)
- Do 2 front, 2 side, 2 back
- After the last back, BALANCE and hold
- Then reverse the pattern
- Switch legs and repeat
- Keep going for 1 minute
Key tips:
✓ BOTH legs bend at the same time, BOTH legs extend at the same time
✓ Control the bend—don't drop or collapse
✓ Keep your standing heel DOWN during the plié (don't rise to toes)
✓ Working leg stays fully extended when straight
✓ Standing hip stays engaged—don't sink!
✓ The balance at the end tests everything you just worked
✓ Then reverse the pattern: back, side, front
This exercise gets its name because your legs "melt" together like fondue—smooth, controlled, coordinated. Professional dancers do this at the barre to build the single-leg strength needed for jumps and turns. It looks graceful but it BURNS! 🔥
Which direction is hardest for you? Let me know!
🩰 Follow for Day 7 tomorrow!
📺 Want the full 12-exercise workout? youtu.be/LJoP4yFTLOc
#12DaysOfBalletFitness #BalletInspiredFitness #BalletWorkout #Fondu #FonduBalance #SingleLegStrength #BalletTraining #DancerWorkout #BalletFitness
---
💫 I'm Kathryn Morgan, former New York City Ballet soloist. Fondu is one of THE hardest exercises at the barre—and now you can do it at home!
Subscribe for daily ballet-inspired workouts that build real dancer strength!
