I'm very curious to see how many of you guys dance with ankle weights. I personally would never ever do that to my body, but I wasn't sure if it was a common practice, or not.

I used to, simply because i seen others at dance comps wearing them so it seemed like a good idea.
After awhile my ankle started to feel weak, so i gave up wearing ankle weights. Personally i think you do not need ankle weights, you can be just as good without the weights as long as you pratice and stretch everyday there is no need for them, as many others have discussed on dance.net they can cause serious injuries.
I am glad the ADFP have banned ankle weights from comps as last year at one of the biggest dance comps, i seen a little u6 dancer wearing heavy weights, which surely cant be doing her any good.

hi,

alot of the people i know strech with them on under supervision but not actualy dance around the room..

kayte xx

Unfortunately some people still promote the use of excessive weights during training
My son was a casualty of this practice & is now considered disabled

Good to see some thoughful and considered replies here.
As competitor myself I used weights at competitions and whilst I can see the short-term benefits when used(eg - for kicks to make the leg higher) I cannot see any benefits in using them on a long term basis.(eg - in a weekly class)
Surely people with a working knowledge of the body must know the stress and strain that weights put on limbs, joints and muscles and must also be aware of dangers and injuries that continued and ill-advised use can create.

I'd say it's a good move by the ADFP

x

I currently wear ankle weights to stretch and practice runs and things at dancing; because it does make a difference.. but these last couple weeks since wearing them my hip gets really sore, not actually at dancing while wearing them but hours after, like before bed. So im unsure about them now

jojo xxx

Chloe only uses them very briefly at comps to improve her kicks as it does work! I always supervise her and she has one of the lightest weighta She may use them sometimes at home to do the same thing but again I am always with her watching xxx

I think used in moderation they can be useful for kicks etc but like most things over use brings problems x

Hiya

Weights are fine under supervision and only for warming up not
dancing with them on thats a definate NO NO NO!!!...

Luv Lesley
xxx
xx
x

My daughter injured her groin wearing heavy weights and still has bother with it many months later, I wouldn`t advise the wearing of weights, its not necessary.
sue x

Re neen86
What my sons diagnosis was is none of your business
In actual fact he was diagnosed during extensive treatment for injury caused by said schools excessive use of weights & training methods.
Wherever you got your information needs to be sure of their facts & it seems the 'friend' you mentioned is unaware of her seeming involvement.
Maybe the improper practices of said school have actually done my son a favour as due to
his injury & a full year of treatment for it they discovered
The condition & 'fact' the injury had caused strangulation of the blood vessels supplying his hip & therefore aggravating his unknown condition which had not been in any way, shape or form any bother to him......hope this satisfies your uninformed opinion
As for you getting me more information....I think my sons orthopaedic surgeon, physio & GP are best placed for that but thank you

The ADFP have banned the use of weights at company I believe....maybe the dangers are being recognised at last

Hi,
I think with moderation and supervision the use of weights is fine for warming up and stretching.
As in all things care and common sense should be used.

Hi, I know there has been a very lengthy discussion on the use of weights in another section of the forum with very strong views both for and against.
I would be interested to hear from an independent physiotherapist as to what their views are on children (very young in some instances) using weights when their muscles and skeletons are immature and not fully developed.
I do think there needs to be some research and then an informed debate as freestyle is a popular dance style enjoyed by 1000's of children and young people across the UK. I do not believe that any parent(or dance teacher) would knowingly do anything that is harmful to their children but without thorough research no-one knows if there is the potential for long term problems to occur.

My dance teacher is AGAINST weights, she doesnt believe in them, we are taught plenty stretches and fabulous warm ups without weights !!!
None of the dancers at Le Dance Studio wear weights as Gill doesnt like them so we all LOVE IT !!!
Taylor xxx

You would be horrified to know what Physiotherapists think of these heavy weights on children, I know my daughter and her friend were injured by the use of heavy weights quite recently, and there physio was appalled at the amounts of weights they were made to wear in a dance class. Thankfully she is no longer practicing this anymore x

At the end of the day a lot of dancers are too young and their bodies haven't developed enough to handle weights (or some of the horrendous stretching practices!). It doesn't just apply to dancing though I was a swimmer and encouraged to wear weights at about 10 and by 14yr I had a knee injury. Of course people in favour for weights to be used may say injuries could of happened regardless but I know it was one of my parents regrets that they allowed me to take part in such training methods.
Because of this I say to my daughter train hard,love dance but most of all be happy a dancers career can be a short penniless one. I have to say though if I felt her long term health or mobility was at risk I'd pull the plug.
We as the parents pay the teachers for their expertise, if you think something doesn't sound healthy for your child it probably isn't and it's your responsibility to say no. If we all said no weights would vanish all together anyway.
I love to see my daughter in a final or on the podium but at the back of my mind I always try to think will she thank me when she's older. I'd never forgive myself if she were in pain or worse while the trophies and sashes were long gone.

I am, honestly, quite shocked that people think it is safe to practice kicks, stretches, and warm ups with weights. You want uncontrollable torque on your kicks while you warm up? "Terrible to dance in, but totally fine to warm up with" is the kind of misinformation that gets people hurt.

LisaM, Mum2twins- I'm very sorry to hear your children were injured using weights. It's very sad that dance "teachers" use methods that are downright unsafe for their dancers, and the dancers are only made aware of how unsafe once they get injured. I hope for the sake of the entire Dance community people take a little time to think through what they're told to do. Sometimes it's just a matter of common sense. I do NOT think it's a matter of how old you are, or how undeveloped young dancers bodies are. Ankle weights are dangerous no matter what your age.

Any of you who use ankle weights, I suggest you at least talk to a physiotherapist about the useage of ankle weights. See what they say, and seriously take heed to their suggestions

Re mcbee....
Sound advice

Re mcbee....
Sound advice

I use one pound ankle weights on each ankle as i'm trying to strengthen my weak ankles. I think the weights can be effective as long as their uses arn't abused i.e putting mens weights on a 9 year old.

Or putting mens weights on anyone's leg .....especially younger kids where they can fit further up the leg or have more than one attached

I can't actually believe so many people think its ok to use weights on young kids, the harm this can do to these kids is very scary, Why do people think they need them? using weights dosent make winners working hard makes winners, i'm totally against weights and wouldnt be happy for my kids to use them, (thats my opinion tho) and everyone is entitled to there's and some might think its ok and not have any issues with there kids wearing weights and i respect there choices, all i would say is research the harm it can cause not just now but in later life.

Mandy xx

hi
the weights are useful for older dancers, younger ones shouldnt need them, its a personal decision
ailsya