Ballet leg turnout?

Question

I am 24 and taking grade 4 ballet classes. I have average turnout at the moment and I am in good shape, the teacher pushes me to turnout more each class and when she demonstrates that my leg can turn more it really does turnout much more. But what I want to ask all ballet dancers or people of knowledge on here, is can I still aim to achieve a great turnout with lots of hard work?

Thanks

Answer 1

yes you can. if you strengthen the muscle that goes from your groin to your butt (difficult to explain without showing you) you can improve your turnout.

it is hard to isolate this muscle to work it, but you can do it.  

the other exercise you can do to increase your flexibility making it easier to achieve a turnout is 1. lie on the floor face down

2. put your knees apart and your ankles together

3. try and get your knees to the floor (you may have to enlist the help of someone else to gently increase the pressure)

Answer 2

Practice... Turnout comes from your hips, so remember that... it helps! :) turn out your whole leg rather than just your lower leg, or else you can get hurt.  Do the butterfly stretch and the frog stretch. Good luck!

Answer 3

Yes of course you can. It just takes practice, strength and stamina. Good luck.

Answer 4

There are two great turnout stretches, The butterfly stretch (as people have explained in previous posts - feet together, push knees to floor) and the frog stretch. In the frog stretch you lay on your stomach and put the bottoms of your feet together. Everything should be touching the floor except the bottom half of your legs and your feet. Push your feet toward the floor. I always do it when I'm reading or watching TV. It's super super good for your turnout. Hope this helped!!

Answer 5

of course! just keep practicing and you'll do just fine! remember just keep streching!

Answer 6

not necessarily some people have hip problems so they can't turn out very far do the best you can do don't hurt yourself if you do have bad hips and can't turn out any more but make yourself do it anyway you might have to get a hip replacement and that will make you not be a pro as long

Answer 7

yes just each class push farther and farther and eventually it will come.  just don't give up or slack off at any time.

Answer 8

yeah you just have to keep practising. Its like you cant go straight into the splits for the first time without stretching for ages. just practise lots of raises in all positions and concentrate on holding your turnout.

Answer 9

Of course! What i found really helps my turnout, is by sitting on the floor (you could do this while watching tv or anything) with your feet together and your legs in a kindof frong position. Then hold your ankles and push down on your knees with your elbows. Hope this helps :)