Here’s how interesting and fun cross-training exercises have propelled me forward in my goals of stabilization, strength, stamina and emotional support.

Dancers know that choosing the right cross-training methods can improve their performance and increase the longevity of their careers. But as sports training has evolved, there are more options than ever. So what’s your best bet? If you’re looking to improve your level of fitness and want to see that carry over into your dancing, […]

When Los Angeles–based dancer Amanda Tran leaves her second job as a Pilates instructor, she often feels depleted. “Giving so much emotion, physicality, happiness and energy towards clients gets super-exhausting,” she says. Tran’s days—a mix of dancing in freelance projects and teaching Pilates classes—can be so draining that she turns her evening commute into a […]

Sometimes you’re thrown a big opportunity mid-season—but aren’t always given all the rehearsal you need to fully prep for it. At Houston Ballet, for instance, there are often 12 casts of Sugar Plum, according to ballet master Amy Fote. That means some dancers might only get one full run before performing the role. But not […]

Dancers crossing over into the fitness realm may be increasingly popular, but it was never part of French-born Julie Granger‘s plan. Though Granger grew up a serious ballet student, taking yoga classes on the side eventually led to a whole new career. Creating her own rules along the way, Granger shares how combining the skills […]

Dancers know they need to cross-train. But sometimes the last thing you want to do is trek to the gym, or throw down 30 bucks for another Pilates class. That’s where YouTube comes to the rescue. Of course, an online video can’t offer the specialized guidance of an in-person instructor. But with virtually no equipment […]

Dancers are always trying to find more flexibility in their bodies. But what’s the best way to do it? We asked former dancers Ann and Chris Frederick, creators of Fascial Stretch Therapy, which targets connective tissue rather than isolating individual muscles. They recommend following these five principles to find the greatest range of motion within […]

When you spend as much time on the road as The Royal Ballet’s Steven McRae, getting access to a proper gym can be a hassle. To stay fit, the Australian-born principal turns to calisthenics—the old-school art of developing aerobic ability and strength with little to no equipment. “It’s basically just using your own body weight,” […]