Point strengthening exercises?

Question

What are the muscles that you use when you go on point, and what are some things to strengthen them? I want to be ready for when I get them. Also, how do you strengthen your feet for point?

Answer 1

You have to have strong ankles and strong calves. Do thirty toe raises a day to strengthen your calves and ankles. Simply stand in first position and releve to half point, and if you have your pointe shoes on, go to full pointe. Also, you need to have a strong arch because you have to be able to point and arch your foot even more in pointe shoes so it looks nicer and it helps you get all the way onto your big toe in your shoe. Use an empty juice can and roll your foot on it back and forth to improve your arch. You can also cross your leg in front of yourself and bend your knee. Your foot should arch and this should help.  Also in normal ballet class, work on arching and pointing as hard as you can. It will be much easier in the future. Good luck!

Answer 2

Oh wow! It's great to see someone who actually takes interest in preparing their bodies for pointe! Well, you have to be very strong and stable to go onto pointe successfully. practice releves to the extreme at home in your spare time. Do 45 releves in first, second, fourth, and fifth position.then do the same amount on each leg with one leg in coupe. then if your not totally in pain yet, continue to do in attitude =) this builds tremendous ankle strength! another must is toe strength! get one of your mothers old scarfs, and lye it down neatly on the ground. then, starting at one end, gasp the scarf with your toes pulling it in toward you. also try and seperate each toe one by one while watching tv or just sitting around. and play monkey toes =) just around the house, if something is dropped try picking it up with your toes instead of your hands ! Furthermore, you may want to invest in a theroband. you can find many different exercises to do with it, including making foot circles with your ankle and just simply pointing and flexing. Also, try on working on your turnout before going en pointe. one of the absolute hardest things to do on pointe is turnout!! Rotate from the tops of your legs , and imagine a spiral staircase going down your leg rotating and creating opposition. and u also have to have a strong core and center to be able to pull up on pointe, and not sink into your shoes. do crunches and hundreds. if you can, take a pilates class to build strength. okay well i think that i have basically covered the main pointes (pun intended)! a website i highly recommend you check out is http://www.freewebs.com/theballetsite/in... . Have fun and keep up the hard work!

love,

hanhandonnakaran