Where Do You Practice?

tango

tango

New Member
We all know that practicing is as important as lessons, but where does everyone practice. Our living room is too small so we decided to use the aerobics room at the gym, however, they were the unfriendly type and wouldn't allow anyone to use the room without an aerobics instructor! Anyway we switched gym's but now we have a smaller practice area but it's bettert than the alternative. Where do you practice?
 
The gym is a great idea, tango! I hadn't though of that one. My livingroom doesn't work smooth dances, because it's carpeted. I still use it for more compact dances and exercises that don't require a lot of foot action. I also practice in the kitchen, bathroom, and do drills all over the place -- in stores, in the car, wherever.

If you're looking for a larger floor space, how about showing up early for your lessons or grouop classes and using that time to practice/warm up?
 
Any where and everywhere.

Literally. Of course I dance all the time. Even when I'm the computer. If I'm awake I'm stepping, stomping, or somehow swinging. Its my O/C in me.
 
Does anybody else have suggestions of good places to practice?

Many years ago, when I was in a mostly empty building, I used to reserve conference rooms at work for lunch time exercise. Also, the local library here offers free rooms for use by the general public. Just a couple suggestions.

Anyone else?
 
We mostly practice at a local studio, but we have built a 16 x 20 foot cushioned dance floor in our third car garage. It has music and a sound system and several ceiling fans, but we mainly use it for the dance exercises, some WCS, and some Cha Cha, since of our other dances travel way too much!

Interestingly, I went to work with my wife once on a weekend, and we practiced the Waltz in and out of the 400 servers that she takes care of! A roving guard walked by and stuck his head in the door and asked what we doing. We said, "Having sex," and replied, "Have fun, " and just turned and walked away!

Dancing has always brought smiles to our faces!
 
Yes, Vince, I know quite a few (wealthy :lol: ) people who have converted a large space in their homes into a dance floor. Ironically, these are the party dancers , not the serious ones. *shrug* Who can say why. :?
 
I have known a few graduate students(not the wealthiest people) who converted the family rooms in their apartments into dance studios. It did not take them much, just about 3-4 hundred dollars worth of wood and about a month's time building it.
To answer the original question, my carpeted family room is smooth enough for my practice sessions.
 
I see what you mean, Vin. The folks I'm talking about are definitely "hire a professional and pay too much" types. I guess it takes all kinds to make a world. *shrug*
 
Depending on what I'm working on, if I'm with a partner, etc., here are some of my options...

Small carpeted living room floor.

Empty activity rooms on campus.

Empty racquetball courts.

Aerobics room at the gym on off hours.

Show up early to salsa clubs -- before music/lesson starts.
 
SDsalsaguy said:
Depending on what I'm working on, if I'm with a partner, etc., here are some of my options...

Small carpeted living room floor.

Empty activity rooms on campus.

Empty racquetball courts.

Aerobics room at the gym on off hours.

Show up early to salsa clubs -- before music/lesson starts.
Click to expand...

It's tough being a student. :D But these are good suggestions. I think I'm going to ask the folks at my gym, since I need a bigger place for smooth. Guess I'd better get those ballroom sneakers, after all. :shock: :lol:
 
I find the gym aerobics room the best for smooth dances, however, running shoe's aren't the greatest to practice in, especially doing spins. But, they do keep me very light on my feet for the basic foot work (waltz). Now if I had a garage I would probably convert that to a small dance floor.
 
Oh my goodness! You should see my garage! :D Maybe I have a motivation to clean it out after all. (There are boxes in there I haven't opened since I moved in a decade ago! :shock: ) It's a small, but usable space. All I'd need would be an air conditioning unit, since my central air isn't piped into the garage. Hmm. The wheels are turning. :idea:

By the way, there are strictly ballroom sneakers that have suede soles. Not all that easy to find, since a lot of the jazz sneakers have rubber soles. But the ballroom ones are out there.
 
Good point, MissAlyssa. And made me think of another suggestion. My instructor, who has his own studio, sometimes rents out the studio to people who need a practice space -- if he's not already using it himself. :D
 
The studio I dance at is growing and they are busy all the time so aside from paid service there's not much room for practice. I like the idea if Ballroom sneakers for the gym though, I'll just have to invest in a pair.
 
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