Reaching New Heights (And Kicks)
As a lifelong dancer and fitness enthusiast, I’ve had my fair share of experiences balancing the demands of dance with the need for strength training. It’s a delicate dance, pun intended, but one that I’ve learned to navigate with a bit of trial, error, and a whole lot of patience.
Growing up, I was that kid who could kick my leg up to my ear, no problem. I lived for grand battements and développés that reached for the sky. But as I got older and started incorporating more weight training into my routine, I began to worry that all that muscle-building would negatively impact my flexibility and dance technique.
Was I doomed to become a muscular, inflexible dancer? Would my beautifully arched feet and long, lean legs be a thing of the past? The anxiety was real, my friends. But through research, experimentation, and a lot of listening to my body, I’ve come to realize that strength training and dance not only can coexist, but actually complement each other in powerful ways.
The Strength-Flexibility Balancing Act
One of the key things I’ve learned is that there’s a delicate balance between strength and flexibility when it comes to dance. As this video eloquently explains, having pure flexibility without the muscular strength to control and support it can actually be detrimental to your technique and performance. Conversely, being overly muscular and inflexible can severely limit your range of motion and ability to execute the graceful, fluid movements that are the hallmark of great dance.
The sweet spot lies in developing a harmonious blend of strength and flexibility, where your muscles are powerful enough to support and elevate your extensions, but still flexible enough to allow for full range of motion. It’s a yin and yang, a dance within the dance, if you will.
Building a Better Ballerina (or Dancer)
So, how do we achieve this elusive balance? Well, it starts with a well-rounded strength training regimen that targets the specific muscle groups critical for dancers. As this Reddit thread discusses, exercises like barbell squats, deadlifts, and other compound movements can actually help improve your dance technique by building the necessary strength in your legs, core, and posterior chain.
But it’s not just about brute strength. Incorporating targeted exercises that focus on the smaller stabilizing muscles and flexibility is also key. Think things like calf raises, hip flexor stretches, and even Pilates-inspired leg circles and développés. The goal is to create a symphony of strength and suppleness, where every muscle works in harmony to elevate your extensions and elevate your dance.
Finding Your Fitness Groove
Of course, figuring out the right balance and programming for your individual needs can be a bit of a trial-and-error process. As this video demonstrates, some dancers may find that heavy lifting and intense strength training actually enhances their flexibility and technique, while others may need to take a more moderate approach.
The key is to listen to your body, experiment with different routines and rep schemes, and find what works best for you. Maybe that means focusing on strength training a few days a week and dedicating the other days to more flexibility-focused work. Or perhaps you thrive on a more integrated approach, where you seamlessly blend the two throughout your workouts.
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but by being in tune with your body’s needs and continuously adjusting your approach, you’ll be well on your way to elevating your extensions and taking your dance to new heights.
Putting it All Together
At the end of the day, the journey to becoming a stronger, more flexible dancer is a lifelong one. It’s about finding the right balance, being patient with the process, and trusting that the work you put in will pay off in dividends on the stage (or in the studio).
So, whether you’re an adult beginner just starting to explore the world of dance and fitness, or a seasoned professional looking to take your technique to the next level, I encourage you to embrace the challenge. Dive into that strength training, but don’t forget to prioritize your flexibility work as well.
After all, as the musical theater education and performance center I call home likes to say, “The journey is the destination.” So let’s get to work, and let our legs lead the way.
