Work out routine to complement Ballroom

[Thunderstorms0317]

I have been told that many ballroom dancers do Pilates to maintain their strength and flexibility. I like that idea but I'm not too keen on spending money for pilates instruction, so I'm looking for other ways.

I was curious: what do you do to keep yourself conditioned to dance?

 

[DanceAngel]

Hi, I have done Pilates in the past and I think it is really good. If you don't want to spend the money on instructions there are videos you could get. Of course some videos are better than others.

There is also strength train yoga which from what I understand is a combination of strength training and maintaining flexibility. I did some of that as well and liked it, there are also videos for yoga too if you didn't want to pay for instructions. There again some videos are better than others.

Welcome to DF.

 

[latingal]

Yes, welcome to DF Thunderstorms0317!

Many do train in other disciplines to help with strength and stamina. Anything from running on a treadmill to body type work (such as pilates, yoga, gyrotonics, etc.). I currently don't have time to train in anything but the dancing, and to tell you the truth, I might be too lazy to add more on top of what I do already. But best of luck to you!

 

[fascination]

welcome...you may also want to use our search function as we have many threads on this...for my part, I work at a gym, so I get about 12 hours of varying cross-training a week

 

[reb]

I have been told that many ballroom dancers do Pilates to maintain their strength and flexibility. I like that idea but I'm not too keen on spending money for pilates instruction, so I'm looking for other ways.

I was curious: what do you do to keep yourself conditioned to dance?

Pilates group mat classes any very inexpensive compared to private training sessions using the equipment - go with the group mat classes.

 

[fascination]

you can also check out fitness dvds at the library or catch them on the fitness channel if you get it...or buy one mat and one dvd at barnes and noble....

 

[Chiron]

Welcome Thunderstorms. I do a variety of other activities because I like them and because they help my dancing. I would say ask your instructor what would be good for you to work on or if they have any suggetions. Maybe say I have an extra 30 minutes 3 times I week I can use for conditioning what do you think I should spend it on? Cardio, stretching, strength training, or ab work. They may have an idea of where you weakness are and how to best spend your time.

Oh and never underestimate practing dance to help condition you to dance

 

[wonderwoman]

The studio I'm switching to offers "stretching and flexibility for dance" group classes, and Zumba. I would strongly urge salsa dancing for the cardio exercise, if you don't usually do it!

 

[etp777]

Also depends on what kind of dancing you're doing. General comments like cardio, core exercises, etc, are true for all dances, but if you're dancing TA/Cabaret, or showcases with lots of lifts, etc, better add some more upper body work.

 

[DancinProf]

I've been doing Jillian Michaels' workout videos (30 Day Shred and Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism) in addition to (and, lately, instead of) dancing. Didn't think much about direct benefits to my dancing--just wanted to keep the excess inches away--but the workouts have really improved my stamina. And it keeps me doing at least a little stretching every day, which otherwise I'd forget to do.

 

[canismajor41]

I lift weights 2 times per week. And do 30 minutes of interval training 2 x per week 1 month prior to competition for stamina....I'm too lazy to do it if there isn't a comp. on the horizon

 

[dlgodud]

I have been told that many ballroom dancers do Pilates to maintain their strength and flexibility. I like that idea but I'm not too keen on spending money for pilates instruction, so I'm looking for other ways.

I was curious: what do you do to keep yourself conditioned to dance?

Don't need to spend money for pilates classes. Try this Youtube instruction.
I did a few times. It's just 11 minutes, but you will feel like you work out for an hour. lol..... I think it's very good exercise for your core.
I follow pilates classes in on youtube video, but I don't want to try yoga by myself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdMptxZv4hQ&feature=channel_page

 

[ireniecat]

you can also check out fitness dvds at the library or catch them on the fitness channel if you get it...or buy one mat and one dvd at barnes and noble....

I have Comcast and they have a decent selection of short workouts you can get OnDemand. I often can't get myself out of bed early enough to go to the gym before work, but I can get a quick abs workout in my living room this way

 

[Dance808]

I really like the New York City Ballet workout tapes. They are designed to sculpt a "dancer body."

But I also go to the gym at least 4x/week during lunch so I have the evenings free for dance. I do lots of the fitness classes they have at my gym. I'm not really a gym bunny but I find if I go to the classes and have someone yelling at me to push harder, what do you know, I do!