Any former dancers here?

spatticus
spatticus Posts: 230 Member
edited September 24 in Fitness and Exercise
Any former ballet dancers here? I swear my ankles are messed up from years of ballet and dance...does anyone else have this problem? They just seem very weak. I get shin splints easily and I think my feet under probate when I run (turn out). Just curious if this was common and what can you do about it? Thanks :-)

Replies

  • KaleighL
    KaleighL Posts: 159
    I quit point when my feet started feeling weird haha
  • skinnyack
    skinnyack Posts: 683
    I did more jazz and gymnastics but I was "turned out" for awhile. Best thing that was told to me is build your quads and hams. Squats and lounges. being turned out tends to strengthen the inner part of your thighs, hence when you get tired during running or maybe just automatically you will rely on these muscles and turn out, instead of the front of your quads. Strong quads will protect your knees which will probably protect your shins better. Second theory is that as a dancer you are used to wearing next to nothing on your feet. Adding the weight of a normal shoe may be f-ing you up. Find something light weight to run in, your feet can probably already handle it. We both know the impact of dance on bare feet is way worse than running barefoot for miles- haha.

    Good news is you probably already have the core strength and natural ability to carry your upper body in a way that frees up your legs- and girl that makes you light years ahead of some other new runners.
  • spatticus
    spatticus Posts: 230 Member
    Thank you so much! I was drawn toward some light weight minimalist shoes but didn't know if I needed something with more ankle support.
  • mjgriff44
    mjgriff44 Posts: 47
    I used to dance at Chubbendales!!!!! lol......:laugh:
  • skinnyack
    skinnyack Posts: 683
    Thank you so much! I was drawn toward some light weight minimalist shoes but didn't know if I needed something with more ankle support.

    I think as long as you start slow, as any new runner should, you should be okay. Don't try to be a hero, walk before you get tired and then start up again ( research C25K and also Jeff Galloway). I think the reason people suggest so much support is because they've had supportive shoes all their lives. You've had most of your exercise without a shoe so you probably are going to be harmed at least initally by encasing your foot in a big weight (ie shoe). Especially if you were on pointe your ankles I would assume are stronger than you think as well as your achilles is much more flexible which a normal shoe which is raised in the back is not going to let it relax all the way down. Also you could always do a quick barre routine on your running recovery days, or as a warm up for your run, to keep your ankle strength up- and then go all modern on it and do it in parallel. :wink: Whatever you do, just go slow and listen to your body. Don't be afraid to ice when you're sore. I wish I had known about all of this when I got out of dance. Could've saved hundresd of dollars on fancy supportive shoes because I assumed I needed them. Did I mention a lot of the minamalist shoes are cheaper? I just bought the New balance 101 ( I think- it's a trail shoe)- $40 less than the Nike shoe I was buying AND it's light as heck.
  • skinnyack
    skinnyack Posts: 683
    I used to dance at Chubbendales!!!!! lol......:laugh:

    haha- oh Griff :tongue:
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