The one thing to do outside of dance class to make you better, faster!

Resistance training! This is a big, fancy word for exercise outside of dance to help improve your dance skills. Resistance training is strength training that progressively adds load and movement variations to build strength, power, endurance, and balance. Resistance training can include body weight, free weights, machines, bands, medicine balls, etc. 

You might know resistance training as: cross training, conditioning, working out, exercise, resistance training. There are fancy methods of resistance training like: High Intensity Interval Training, Tabata, weight lifting, cardio (running, elliptical, stair master, biking), cross fit, etc. 

Are you 10 -16 years old? 

Often times dance training increases in intensity and frequency (more dance classes and a higher level) when you are growing the most. Growth occurs in 2 steps: 1) Bones lengthen and muscles/tendons are pulled tight. 2) Muscles and tendons grow to new bone length. During the growth stages, you might notice your body falling out of whack. You might feel tight and not be as flexible as you were a week ago. You might be frustrated that you cannot find your balance and keep falling off your center. 

Resistance training will help! Building strength is very important to stabilize joints so you can maintain stability and reduce risk of injury. 

Are you over 18? 

For the most part, large growth spurts are in your past. But that does not mean you should avoid resistance training. Resistance training can take your dance skills to the next level- by building precision, power and control- essentials for entering the professional dance community! 

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Try these exercises during your next workout sessions!