For Strengthening Sure, exercises on the OPTP BOSU Elite make for impressive Instagram content. But more importantly, they help with everything from strengthening your ankles and core to improving your overall balance and stability. $199.95, optp.com To make the most of your stretching, FLX Flexistretcher’s adjustable (and compact) resistance straps can be used to work […]

Recovery routines have gotten much more elaborate recently: We use high-tech gadgets to reduce soreness, take fitness classes dedicated to rest, wear trackers that monitor our sleep.It isn’t just a fad. Recovery is a key variable in the “performance equation,” says Andrea Kozai, who studies exercise science and dance as a doctoral researcher at the […]

When we headed into lockdown for the COVID-19 pandemic last March, what so many of us did not realize was just how long this new reality would last. Forgotten legwarmers flung across a studio floor sat exactly as they were, irretrievable by their owners for what’s now been a full year. In addition to the […]

Jell-O isn’t typically considered a health food. But its main ingredient—gelatin—has become the latest trend in sports nutrition. As it turns out, emerging science suggests that gelatin could have real benefits for recovery after long hours in the studio. You’ve probably heard that collagen can improve the health of your skin and hair. But it […]

Have you ever felt like certain footwear gives you wings? The makers of Apolla Shocks, a dancer-specific version of compression socks, say some dancers feel like they can jump higher when they’re wearing them. “What’s happening is they’re more aware of their feet,” says co-founder Brianne Zborowski, “and the compression is helping activate intrinsic muscles […]

After reading your column I now understand the problems of being a workaholic. My dilemma is that the dance teachers in my BFA program praise an extreme work ethic and use me as a role model for other dancers. How can I give my body a break? —Burned-Out Dancer, New York, NY Why not rethink […]

I thought I’d be fine after undergoing successful surgery to repair a torn ankle ligament. Instead, I’m depressed and hopeless that I’m still not able to perform. My therapist tells me I’m making good progress, but I don’t see it. Why not? —Ashley, San Francisco, CA You’ve fallen into a common trap—comparing your dancing to […]

What dancers do during their summer layoff can be the key to a successful next season. The theory of periodization suggests that downtime should be carefully divided into multiple stages: post-season total rest, off-season cross-training and pre-season ramping up. Building this strategic recovery time into your yearly schedule can allow for improvement—and decrease your chances […]