Bulky muscles?

[Jaana Heino]

I notice the young dancers being worried about getting their muscles bulky. I realize this is a concern to someone aiming to be a professional, as it is not really esthetic in a dancer, but is there any other reason why an adult dancer should worry about it? That is, do bulky muscles make technique more difficult, or otherwise perform more badly?

[tigger]

I've heard that if the muscles in your leg are not balanced, eg quads or hamstrings are much stronger than the other, then it can damage your knees when you plie. But as for bulk, I would imagine that (in extreme cases) it would interfere with flexibility, so less bulk=greater range of motion?