bigger muscles

[Guest dance4life87]

Hi, I was just thinking about mens pirouettes so here is my question...

 

It seems to me that men (in ballet of course) have such strong pirouettes and can do so many turns one after another. I thought about it and it's because they are so muscular. So if I want really great strong pirouettes then I need to develope bigger muscles. You see, I have small muscles so if I worked hard to develope bigger stronger muscles that would make my pirouettes much cleaner, besides pulling up and spotting and the technique of the pirouette am I right?

[Mel Johnson]

No, no, no!

 

You don't want bigger muscles for pirouettes. The size of the muscles has nothing to do with it. If anything, the turns are easier the more elongated your muscles are. The reason that men's muscles are larger and bulkier is that we have a lot of androgen (male hormone) floating around in our systems. That makes for the bigger muscles, but it also sprouts body and facial hair, deepens the voice and a bunch of other things you really don't want as a young woman.

[balletstar811]

Mr. Johnson, why is it then that men can complete so many more pirouettes than women (usually- I've seen a girl do 11 on flat). But in general.... it's kind of odd.

[Mel Johnson]

It's usually because they're called upon to do more multiple pirouettes. Women generally don't have to do more than three at most, onstage. That doesn't mean you shouldn't be able to do more in class, though!;)

[BlackbirdBallerina]

I know what balletstar811 is saying; it really does seem like guys have something natural that makes them turn more. I have seen a few bad turners among guys though, so I guess it can go either way.

But guys also don't have to turn en pointe- at least on stage!! ;)

[Mel Johnson]

Given today's marley stages, pirouettes on demi-pointe are a lot more difficult than they used to be!;)

[Guest dance4life87]

But I still don't understand... Muscles are in the body for strength and they make you stong so how come you say smaller elongated are better? I guess it could make sense but to me it sems like it would make even more sense that bigger muscles would benefit turns by strength.

[Victoria Leigh]

Good pirouettes are determined much more by having a good center, ie, alignment, plus knowing HOW to turn in terms of the movements that motivate turning, and knowing how to use the head. A lack of fear and tension in turning are also extrememly important. Dancers who really LIKE turning, turn better

[Mel Johnson]

Also, bulgy muscles often aren't strong in any useful way for dancers. You can have very strong muscles, and not look like a weightlifter. I recall a girl friend of mine who could armwrestle anybody down. And she was built like a wisp! It was a combination of balance AND strength, but then that's what pirouettes are, too, right?

[Guest kirovboy]

I dont know if this is appropriate, so please delete it right away if it is! But as far as I have always understood. There is an anatomical reason as to why men turn better than women(in most cases, unlike the Canterna sisters). But the reason I believe to be is because the centers in the male and female body are completely different. Women, as they grow and mature develop in their upper body(chest), while men dont. This changes the center of the female body to a higher axis, and not as centrally located as the male. Therefore, the men with the center around the midsection, and pelvic area allows for less pull away from the center when turning! I hope that this made sense, it probably made more sense in my head then it does written down! But I hope you understand.

[Mel Johnson]

No, kirovboy, not inappropriate at all! It makes good sense when you come right down to the physics of the thing.