I'm just wondering if being a track & cross country person would help you be a better dancer.

I HATE RUNNING!!!! But it DOES build your stamina (which I don't really have much of...) actually running can be bad for your knees, there are other ways to get a cardio workout, I don't know if cross country would be bad for your bones and joints, but I'm sure jogging would be safer than full out running. You might want to ask your doctor about how sprinting, cross country and other types of cardio/running would affect your knees and joints. If you have your heart set on track just make sure you get really good shoes, make sure you wear sturdy socks that will protect your feet too, when I do any cardio I wear two pairs of socks, so I don't get real blisters. Hope this helped!

My daughter is and she competes in running and log jump as well as dance. She is 10 years old. At her last atheletic comp she won the U11 lonjump and U11 sprint.

I think the running def helps stamina. Trouble is she is now torn between the two!

I think the running is good if you wear the right running shoes, Spikes for track etc.

Teresa

I run swim and row and am starting dance classes soon (hopefully) I do some dance with drama at school but it isn't enough. I run at least three times a week, row twice but train for that every other day.

i'm in cross ocuntry, track and field, and dance. I love running, and it does build up your muscels and your stamina. I love to run. Running maintains a healthy cardio but you have to work at it. Don't expect to start running 5 miles at a time. Don't even be surpries id you can't even run 2.5 miles! My best friend couldn't eve run 2 miles wihtout stopping but by the end of the season she made it to state and finished 14 place!
Good luck!
~dancergurl5

It'll be fine depending on what kind of dancer you are.

If you are one of those strict ballet dancers, which I am guessing you aren't, running isn't good. Running builds bulky muscle which for a ballerina is not a good thing. Ballet requires and expects long smooth muscles, not bulky ones. But besides that there's no harm at all.

I go running some days when I don't have time to get an adequate dance workout, but I'm afraid it makes my quads too muscular and tight.

i love running, especially long distance/ cross country.

and it helps stamina and doesn't bulky muscle.

short distance sprint, builds bulky muscle.
but long distance tones long lean muscles.
i run everyday and do alot of competitions, its enjoyable

Jaadee

yea, I run cross country, track and field, and I dance. I think that running helps you build muscles and stamina. But, I love to run anyways!!!

xc and track have helped me so much in dance. My stamina is way better and i've built up a ton of muscle in my legs. I also lost and extra ten pounds I didn't know I had. definitely if you're in ballet do long distance instead of sprints, or both, but I haven't really notice much of a difference in my dancing between seasons. sprints build up tons of calf muscle and it's great for leaps (i do irish step and it's made a huge difference). long distance tones your muscles and works your quads more. as you run the right was according to the event you run and stretch a ton (more than you do for dance) it's insanely helpful.

Since dance is a mainly anaerobic activity, many dancers train aerobically outside the studio. Of course, some cross-training activities are better than others and over-training can cause fatigue and increase the risk for musculoskeletal injuries. In general I suggest lower-impact cardio activities such as using a rowing machine, exercise bike, walking on a treadmill or elliptical. Somatics practices such as Pilates and Yoga are also very complementary to dance fitness. Moderate to light weight-lifting once or twice a week is also a great way to maintain muscular strength and increase bone mass.

I know many dancers who run as cross-training, and I wrote an article addressing the question of running for dancers. You can read it here on my blog, "A Dancer's Health." Please visit my blog at adancershealth.com.

I certainly think so! I have been a track and field runner for over 15 years and have danced just as long. It has help me with my stamina more than anything. I mean, doctors recommend running/walking as the best thing you could do for your cardiovascular and respiratory systems. That is why running is used as practice for just about any sport. You definitely need to be able to breathe well to dance well. And that begins with building the health of your lungs and heart. I am sure you already know this...Just thought I'd give you that extra reply since I liked your topic.

dancergurl5 wrote:

i'm in cross ocuntry, track and field, and dance. I love running, and it does build up your muscels and your stamina. I love to run. Running maintains a healthy cardio but you have to work at it. Don't expect to start running 5 miles at a time. Don't even be surpries id you can't even run 2.5 miles! My best friend couldn't eve run 2 miles wihtout stopping but by the end of the season she made it to state and finished 14 place!
Good luck!
~dancergurl5

your friend must be seriously gifted. I couldn't even run a mile at the beginning of the summer and now I can run 7, but 14th at states is insane!

I'm a hurdler/sprinter and a ballet dancer.

Sprinting won't necessarily give you huge calf muscles as long as you stretch your legs out really good after you're done running.

And dancing definately helps me with hurdles as far as hip flexibility and what not.

I run track and I found that the enduranse makes you be able to practice longer and harder. When I'm at practice I find that girls who run in track or cross country arethe ones who practice harder. HOpe this helps you.