Dancebelts, tights and infertility

[Guest SaxonComposer]

This is something I have been worried about for some time now. I am not sure if it has already been written about but I'm just wondering seeing as the dancebelt keeps everthing so close to the body with leotard and tights warming everything up - can they overheat and cause infertility?

[Mel Johnson]

I asked a urologist friend about this very question once. His response? "Not unless the thing is so tight that it undescends the testicles, which is to say, pushes them back up into the lower abdominal cavity. By that time, the wearer would have fainted from pain, so not really a likely scenario." Another good reason why everything in the dance belt goes forward and up.

[Ed McPherson]

although, I remember hearing at one point that a study showed that men who wore briefs did experiance higher levels of infertility. Which is not to say they were infertile, but that their sperm counts were slightly lower.

[Mel Johnson]

This question indirectly addresses the old question, "What does the Scotsman wear under his kilt?" Answer: "Shoes and socks." Actually, the old way of doing things in breezy weather was to cross the tails of the shirt between the legs and pull them up until they were secured by the waistbelt. They were then concealed by the waistcoat. Tension is thus adjustable to please the wearer.

[MJ]

While you are not dancing, may I suggest boxer shorts?

 

MJ

[Mel Johnson]

Just don't try to take them off your income taxes as deductible. That's how they nailed him -- he tried to declare his silk boxers "business expense" and the Feds used that to put him away, for want of another charge that would stick.

[BarreTalk]

This question indirectly addresses the old question, "What does the Scotsman wear under his kilt?"  Answer:  "Shoes and socks."  Actually, the old way of doing things in breezy weather was to cross the tails of the shirt between the legs and pull them up until they were secured by the waistbelt.  They were then concealed by the waistcoat.  Tension is thus adjustable to please the wearer.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Mel, you continue to amaze me! Your encyclopedic knowledge of topics both great and small is extraordinary. If I ever enter a trivia competition, I want you on my team.

[Guest Turnout Burnout]

I have often worried about this subject...

Getting used to Dancebelts at first is a real pain in the neck... among other things. But even after some time being used to it; every now and then it does hurt, I always thought probably from not being careful putting it on because of rushing to class.

I guess since many dancers had parents who both were dancers there isn't too much too worry about, unless you, like, faint in the middle of class.

[Guest adancingartistforlife]

While there are obvious reasons for being careful putting a dancebelt on, one of the other reasons is purely aesthetic. You want to have a nice, smooth line, no extra bumps or wrinkles, and any seams you have should run right up the middle. Look at the pros.

 

Things just have to look good

 

I don't know about you, but if a guy comes onstage and his tights are out of whack, I see it right away, and I don't see anything else...and if a student, I tell him to "Go fix that"

 

And of course, after dancing, take it off, and wash it.

[Guest redtights]

Another good reason why everything in the dance belt goes forward and up.

A few years ago I took ballet classes for a while. I just wore my dance belt with everything going downward, like the way regular underwear is worn.

 

Now I'm starting up with classes again, and just recently found out that "everything in the dance belt goes forward and up." Is this correct? Is it to minimize the chance of injury? I tried it this way and I guess it does seem to hold everything in a good position up out of the way.

 

Maybe it's because I'm not used to it, but it seems to look kind of unusual and I feel hesitant to wear it this way. I'm the only guy in the class and don't want to do something that would seem weird. So is this considered "the correct way" to wear it? If so, then I will begin to do so. Thanks.

[Mel Johnson]

Oh yes, this is the established norm for How to Wear a Dance Belt. As the wearer slides the appliance on, things just sort of get swept up. Leave them that way. Much safer in case of entrechat!

[Guest redtights]

Okay, that's what I'll do. Thanks.