jive speed on feet weights ??

[pielcanela]

I just started working on jive, and I am hoping to improve the speed capabilities of my footwork, in salsa one instructor used to attached 5 pounds weights in his uncles, to improve the speed of his "shines" - footwork combinations--, I am not sure if it works .... but i was thinking if it does maybe it will help in jive, or is this completely an off the wall concept ?

ops I mean ankles :)

[latingal]

Owww....I'm no expert but it sounds like you could really hurt your knees that way.

p.s. did his "uncles" enjoy having 5 pound weights attached to them? *grin* just kidding!

[redhead]

lol latingal

[Masaya]

My coach suggested using feet weights for things such as cha cha chasses, but I feel in dances like jive, where there are lots of up & down movement, you could end up hurting yourself . . . I could ask my coach though and hear what she says.

[Me]

I really, REALLY would not recommend trying that. I think ankle weights and jive are a recipe for hyperextending your knees. You also risk bulking up your quads. When I trained in Shotokan, some of the boys thought the weights would help their snap kicks... one of them strained his knee very badly. No permanent damage, but he was on crutches for a couple of weeks.

The only way to improve your speed is through repetition. At least, that was the only way to improve speed of footwork in ballet. I'm thinking there is a crossover element there.

[Joe]

Well, there are weights, and then there are WEIGHTS...

[fluffy]

5lbs seems quite heavy... The only ones I remember seeing are 1-2lbs at most & for aerobics. I guess if you can use light ones like that, they may help dancing. I've heard some Russian dancers use them, I've no idea what weight they use though.

[IlyZislin]

My coach suggested using feet weights for things such as cha cha chasses, but I feel in dances like jive, where there are lots of up & down movement, you could end up hurting yourself . . . I could ask my coach though and hear what she says.

I'd be very careful... you may actually need those feet for... well, dancing :)

[Joe]

Wear lead socks. :)

[Peaches]

Cement galoshes?

Sorry...weights for a different purpose...