The most interesting conclusion in the study—which confirmed previous research on the subject—is “that the inclusion of specifically designed resistance training program can lead to significant improvement in dancing performance.” Lift weights to get stronger. Lift weights to try to prevent injury. But that’s what strength coaches worry about. Lift weights to become a better dancer? Now that should get the artistic community’s attention.
Read MoreDancers are told they need to be skinny. They’re told they need to cross train. They’re told they need to do Pilates. They’re told they need to be in good condition. They’re told they need to be strong. But they’re not told how to do so many of these things in a healthy way. When we first started down this road of helping dancers, we were told that dancers “already had the help they needed.” But we knew this to be a lie—because we had taken the time to do the research and to talk to dancers.
Read MoreTheoretically every client gets this same level of attention to detail, but in practice I know there is a time and place to hold a busy working mom accountable for every single repetition in the gym. Athletes hiring a strength coach, however, ought to expect exhaustive detail and accountability for every single repetition completed. That’s where the skill of strength comes from, and it could be the difference between a long career and one cut short by avoidable injuries.
Read MoreBut think about a dancer’s schedule. Class. Rehearsal. Learning new choreography. Often a side hustle. Time in the physical therapy room. Dancers are often busy from very early in the morning to late into the evening. This means that you can’t afford to waste time with a random group exercise routine that has little to do with your specific needs.
Read MoreMale ballet dancers aren’t much different than other athletes who must lift heavy things above their heads. They need to be strong enough to do what they do and well-coached enough to do what they do safely. Strength training offers an invaluable tool for achieving both goals simultaneously.
Read MoreOur understanding of this dynamic in the sports world is nearly intuitive. If our best players are able to stay on the field longer and miss fewer games because of injury, our team has a better chance of winning. The dance world is no different, except for it relies on an approach that cares for injuries once they’ve happened (with physical therapists and athletic trainers) rather than an approach that simultaneously enhances performance and prevents injury.
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