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A dancer's feet do far more than point beautifully at the end of a leg. They absorb impact from every landing, create power for every jump, provide stability for every balance, and serve as the foundation for every turn.
For decades, dancers have been told that strength training will make them "bulky" and negatively affect their lines or flexibility. As a result, many dancers avoid resistance training altogether, relying solely on technique classes and repetition to improve performance.
Many young dancers spend countless hours in the studio working on technique, flexibility, choreography, and artistry. While these elements are essential to dance training, one important component is often overlooked: strength training.
In dance and artistic sports, flexibility is often one of the most celebrated physical traits. High extensions, deep backbends, oversplits, and dramatic lines are frequently associated with strong technique and advanced ability. But flexibility and mobility are not the same thing and understanding the difference can completely change how dancers train.
