Best Exercises to Strengthen Feet for Ballet Dancers

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It goes without saying that if you are a ballet dancer, your feet are a prized possession. Not only are they the extension of the beautiful lines of your legs, they provide the support, stability and balance for every leap, spin and step you take.

Dr. Tina Boucher is a foot specialist in Meriden, CT who has many dancers visit her podiatric office for foot care. Taking good care of your feet and monitoring potential injuries is very important. Strengthening your feet will help prevent injury and provide a great foundation for executing the difficult moves required in ballet. The following are some ways to put your feet to work and build up some strength before your next show:

• Point and flex with a resistance band. Lie on the floor with knees up and feet flat. Put the band around the arch of one foot and extend that leg straight up to the ceiling. Hold the band tight, point your foot and hold. Now flex your foot and hold. Finish with a series of pointing and flexing without holding.

• Do a series of barre jumps. This is a great exercise for dancers on pointe. Stand in first position and without going into a plié; use your feet to jump. Land as softly as you can down on the balls of your feet through your heels, ending in a plié. Repeat 12-15 times. 

• Complete repetitions of tendues, which are basic stretching and pointing movements of the feet. These can be performed in any position. Do on both legs, repeating 3-5 times on each leg.

Keeping feet strong is essential for a ballet dancer and quick treatment for injury is just as important. If you are a dancer in need of foot care, please call us today for diagnosis and treatment. Make an appointment by calling us at (203) 238-3668 or visit us online www.centralctfootcare.com.

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• Plantar Fibromas and Ballet Dancers
• Coming Back From a Dancing Injury
• Barre Work: Ballet and Beyond