Q&A for How to Get Stronger Feet for Ballet

Footwork is very important—it takes a lot of repetitive exercises, and it's very hard. One thing you can do are rises. Have your feet in parallel, then rise up, keeping your ankle bone together as you do the rise. You can also do releves—stand in first position, then releve onto your Demi pointes, 8 on the right and 8 on the left.

Most dancers aim to have a perfect 180 degree angle in first, but you should never force your turnout to the point of pain. It generally takes years to get your first all the way turned out. Until then, be safe and stretch every day.

You don't have to do them every day. I do these every other day, so Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and sometimes on the weekends. It is always good to give your feet a rest so you don't snap or pull a tendon!

You need pointe shoes to balance on your toes. Please do not try without them.

Point and flex your feet, also roll them around -- that really works the outside muscles in your ankles. Also do some releve and eleves in all positions until your calves hurt. That can build up calf muscles and also strengthen your ankles.

Do the stretches you can do, and a little of the harder stretches, then work your way up. But do not let your body cramp or be in pain. Do it gently.

Really pay attention to make sure you don't sickle. Practice doing eleves and releves to make your ankles stronger. Ask your instructor for tips or exercises for this.

Professionals all say it should be "a light stretch," so do these exercises so you only feel a nice stretch, and if it starts to hurt, stop! Do this every day, it takes longer but it's safer. If your foot cramps a little, even if you are doing only the light stretches, then stop, stretch your foot to the opposite side and take a quick break. It should not be painful. Better to get there slowly.

Exercise your feet by pointing and flexing numerous times a day, and have a friend push your toes down. Eventually, your toes will touch the ground.

Yes, but if they hurt your foot to the point that you can't walk or put weight on it, stop immediately.

Depends on your teacher. At my studio, the requirement is that you must be at least 13 years old and have had at least 5 years of professional ballet training.

You should stretch properly, so that you do not pull any muscles.

Try some simple techniques, like walking on memory foam and slowly lifting your toes up and down.

You could, but I wouldn't try pointe work at home because it is dangerous without the supervision of a professional. Check out this article on How to Do Ballet at Home .

No, not exactly. But if you want to take point or barre lessons, a barre is most definitely needed.

Yes! For ballet, you can use ballet slippers or demi-pointe shoes. For other types of dance, there are jazz shoes, tap shoes, contemporary shoes, ghilles, etc.

Yes! A strong core helps with balance.

Yes, it will give you the strength to be able to go up and down over and over again.

Yes! Ballet is an exercise. An overweight person can certainly do it, and it will likely help you lose weight.

I would take a beginner's class first to relearn the basics. Your instructor will likely tell you when she thinks you're ready to move up.

Keep in mind that you're not going to notice a difference immediately. Like any form of exercise, you will have to do these for a while before you feel yourself getting stronger. If you really don't think these exercises are doing anything for you, try something more advanced, and/or add ankle weights.

Nine years old is probably too young for pointe. Unless you are approved by your ballet teacher, you shouldn't go en pointe, yet. Your feet need to develop properly and dancers usually start pointe around age 12 or older.

Yes, these exercises can be done by anybody. They are designed for dancers and will give you much greater foot strength.

A foot stretcher can be purchased at nearly every dance store or on Amazon. If you look at a picture, it will make more sense how it works.

As far as you can. Some people can point their toes so far that they can form a half-circle with their foot. Others can't. So just work on the foot exercises every day as appropriate, and work at your own pace.

You have to do stretches. If you will not do them, you will lack sufficient flexibility and if you want to do ballet, you have to be flexible. Stretch your legs every time before you go to sleep.

Yes. Anyone can become flexible enough to do the splits (unless you have specific medical conditions, or age prevents you from being able to do them safety). Talk to your instructor about stretches to do to work towards the splits.

Absolutely not, pointe shoes should only be worn if you are at least 13 years old, have at least 3 years of ballet training, and are approved by a doctor AND your dance teacher. Many people choose not to go en pointe for a variety of reasons: the price of the shoes, the risk of injury, and the fact that many people who dance don't want to become professional ballerinas.

Please do not make your own pointe shoes. If not used properly, pointe shoes can damage your feet permanently, to the point where you may never be able to dance again. You should never go en pointe if your instructor does not say that you are ready. If your parents do not want to train in ballet, consider what their reasons are. If they are concerned about price, consider getting a job (even if you aren't 16, you can still babysit, or do other jobs), if they are worried about injury, consider showing your dedication, and strengthening your feet, legs, and hips, to show them that you can do it safely.

It takes a while. Try doing these exercises for a bit and then when you do try standing on your toes, make sure you have pointe shoes and toe pads, and maybe even toe tape.