Building strength

[futureABTdancer]

My ballet teacher has told me that I need to build up my strength, and that this is the reason I cannot get my fouettes. Any advice on how I can build strength?

[Victoria Leigh]

Ballet classes are designed to build strength. If you are getting enough classes, and working correctly in class, you should get stronger in time. People who are built with a long and loose body take longer to get strong. Those with more compact bodies are generally strong very early, but they will have to work harder on extension and flexibility. Pilates classes could help, too.

[futureABTdancer]

Thank you, but what do you mean by "long and loose" ?

[Victoria Leigh]

Long legs, shorter torso, lots of flexibility. This kind of body, especially during the growing years, takes longer to gain strength.

[futureABTdancer]

Thank you, and that is exactly me... long a loose. Except im not THAT flexible. Im pretty flexible but not double jointed flexible

[Victoria Leigh]

So, that is probably why it is taking you longer to gain strength. Just keep working! (By the way, to my knowledge there is no such thing as double jointed, just hyper-extended joints. Double jointed would mean there are two joints there, and I don't think that is the case, even though those kinds of arms can look pretty strange! )

[futureABTdancer]

Ok, thank you.