For male dancers, particularly those with serious aspirations to become professional dancers, the importance of supplementing ballet training - such as working out - is paramount. Today it's no longer enough to simply attend your ballet classes each week; dancers are becoming stronger, more resilient and more flexible, so additional training such as aerobic, strength and flexibility training can improve performance and also help reduce the risk of injury.
It is clear ballet dancers must maintain a certain level of fitness for performance, particularly because it requires a certain combination of skills and abilities. Some take the view that other exercise outside of dance can reduce a dancer's aesthetic appearance however it depends heavily on the type of exercise that is being carried out. This traditional view does not take into account the advancements in our understanding of dance as an athletic art form, as well as general fitness and anatomy.
Naturally the exercises male ballet dancers do during training help them develop the skill, coordination and flexibility needed for performance, however it is clearer now that dance training alone may not be enough to improve stamina, strength and cardiovascular health. As a result a well-rounded training programme can help male dancers develop and improve overall athletic performance on stage, also lending itself to better health for dancers and preventing injuries.
Aerobic conditioning can particularly help improve overall endurance and cardio strength for better performance, also helping develop better bone, joint and muscle strength in the lower body, which can help with injury prevention. Strength training can significantly help improve a male ballet dancer’s power and agility as part of a balanced training programme and additionally other flexibility training such as yoga and pilates can help male ballet dancers ease muscle tension and develop overall flexibility.
Working out - male dancers
Stacey MacNaught |
For male dancers, particularly those with serious aspirations to become professional dancers, the importance of supplementing ballet training - such as working out - is paramount. Today it's no longer enough to simply attend your ballet classes each week; dancers are becoming stronger, more resilient and more flexible, so additional training such as aerobic, strength and flexibility training can improve performance and also help reduce the risk of injury.
It is clear ballet dancers must maintain a certain level of fitness for performance, particularly because it requires a certain combination of skills and abilities. Some take the view that other exercise outside of dance can reduce a dancer's aesthetic appearance however it depends heavily on the type of exercise that is being carried out. This traditional view does not take into account the advancements in our understanding of dance as an athletic art form, as well as general fitness and anatomy.
Naturally the exercises male ballet dancers do during training help them develop the skill, coordination and flexibility needed for performance, however it is clearer now that dance training alone may not be enough to improve stamina, strength and cardiovascular health. As a result a well-rounded training programme can help male dancers develop and improve overall athletic performance on stage, also lending itself to better health for dancers and preventing injuries.
Aerobic conditioning can particularly help improve overall endurance and cardio strength for better performance, also helping develop better bone, joint and muscle strength in the lower body, which can help with injury prevention. Strength training can significantly help improve a male ballet dancer’s power and agility as part of a balanced training programme and additionally other flexibility training such as yoga and pilates can help male ballet dancers ease muscle tension and develop overall flexibility.