How to dress for dance warm-up
Even for the warm-up phase, it is possible to suggest the use of some technical clothing that will facilitate the dancer in achieving the intended result.
In fact, this phase is preparatory and essential to prevent small and large muscle injuries during training.
A proper warm-up also ensures proper muscle tone and flexibility during exercises.
There are warming apparel solutions for different affected body areas, which we outline below.
How to dress for warm-up: Bust
First of all, over the dance leotard, academic tracksuit or jersey it is always useful to wear a heartwarmer made of wool or warm cotton, also known as a crisscross cardigan.
The heart warmer has both the function of warming the torso and containing the heat given off by the body itself during warming.
The choice between woolen or warm cotton fabric often depends on the weather conditions in which students and teachers warm up.
The use of wool in direct contact with the skin is not recommended if there is any form of hypersensitivity to this specific fabric.
From an aesthetic point of view, but also and especially for functional needs, it is important to use a heart warmer that is as close as possible to the dance leotard we wear.
In fact sometimes the heart warmer is kept on even for the first few exercises of the class and therefore should not hinder movement.
How to dress for warm-up: Legs and Feet
As for how to dress for leg warming, it is essential to use so-called leg warmers over tights.
Depending on your needs, leg warmers can be short or long and always as close to tights or leggings as possible.
The foot is kept warm by wearing soft booties referred to as foot warmers until the time of bar exercises or toe climbing.
Note that students in intermediate courses and especially those in advanced courses often replace heartwarmers and legwarmers with comfortable full-body suits or academic jumpsuits made of warm cotton.
CURIOSITY ….
In recent years, wool is often replaced by fabrics such as warm cotton or fleece, which provide the same standards of fit and thermoregulation but with less dermatological discomfort.