Cross-training Definitely Improves Dance

Think you're doomed because of your age to sad jumps and no improvement in your dance? Think again!

Dancer lifting weights

For a long time, I genuinely believed that I danced and that was quite enough for me working out-wise, thank you very much. I'm now thinking that I was very, very wrong. Let me explain.

Last year, I started getting serious about doing regular strength training routines. The main reason I started was for my overall health and the fact that it helps you to maintain muscle as well as stave off osteoporosis as you age, which is something I'm definitely interested in doing. Let me know if you're someone who has figured out how NOT to age. I, and, everyone else, would be most appreciative!

I have been getting progressively more consistent over the past several months, which so happened to coincide with not having dance class for a month or so between sessions. Imagine my surprise when I went to my first ballet class and I started getting real air during my petit allegro! Like definitely getting off the floor enough to actually point my toes in the air! Grand allegro is the same story. Remember feeling like you're flying across the room during your leaping combos instead of feeling like you're trying to lift a Buick off the floor? I do, but I no longer have to wish that I could do it again, because I'm doing it. Turns out that I was cross-training for dance without even knowing it.

In addition to my ballet jumps improving, I'm also not getting as out of breath as I used to during my other classes. I used to gasp for air after doing an energetic combo, but now I'm barely out of breath. Not sure why my cardiovascular health is better from the lifting, but it's the only thing I'm doing differently, so I'm going to attribute it to that.

I know that the idea of boring old squats and lifting is a bit anathema to us dancers...it's just not as interesting and entertaining as dance. But I'm here to attest that doing those boring strength things will vastly improve your dancing. So, lift those weights and then come fly with me!