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 the exercises.
There are warm-up clothing solutions for the different body areas involved, which we indicate below.
How to dress for warm-up: Bust
First of all, over the dance leotard, dance unitard or shirt it is always useful to wear a wrap sweater made of wool or warm cotton, also known as a crisscross cardigan.
The wrap sweater has both the function of warming the bust and containing the heat given off by the body itself during warming.
The choice between wool 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 wrap sweater that is as close as possible to the dance leotard we wear.
In fact sometimes the wrap sweater 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 warm-ups, it is essential to use so-called leg warmers over pantyhose.
Depending on your needs, leg warmers can be short or long and always as close as possible to the pantyhose or leggings.
The foot is kept warm by wearing soft booties called toe warmers until it is time for barre exercises or toe climbing.
Note that students in intermediate courses and especially those in advanced courses often replace wrap sweater and legwarmers with comfortable full-body suits or dance unitards 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.