Whether you are practicing in your living room or gearing up for class, having the right gear in the room takes your training to the next level and it might help you to avoid getting hurt. The good thing is most of these must-haves will work for whatever dance style that you happen to be doing.
Barre or Sturdy Chair – A good surface for balance exercises and getting warmed up is vital. If you have one of those portable barres that can be adjusted for your height, then that would be even better. Or, if your just starting out, you can use the kitchen chair for some of the basic moves like plies and tendus.
Resistance Bands – These are a brilliant way to build strength and loosen up your muscles. They are so handy for all sorts of exercises. They can be used from leg extensions, to strengthening your feet, or to stretching really deep . Most dancers will find light to medium resistance bands do the trick.
A Good Dance Bag – A bag that is just for your dancing gear keeps everything in its place and ready to go. Look for one with compartments that can keep shoes separate from clothes, and a pocket that will let air in to dry things out.
Foam Roller – If you’ve ever had a particularly tough rehearsal, then that’s when you might want to reach for the foam roller. It’s brilliant for working out the kinks in your muscles, and it can help prevent you getting sore later after class.
Yoga Blocks – These are great for when you want to stretch but need a bit of help getting into place. Put them under your hands when you’re stretching, or use them to help line you up when you are trying to master a tricky position.
A Portable Speaker – We all know that music is key to getting the mood right for a dance session . A wireless speaker means you can move your music around with you. And if you choose one that is water resistant it is going to be able to withstand whatever the studio throws its way.
A Basic First Aid Kit – This one is a no-brainer . Blister pads, tape, ice packs, and pain relief gel are all essentials for keeping your body and your poor dancing feet happy.
Getting these basics in place will mean that you’re ready to rock each time you step into the studio. And as you get more into your own dance style, you will probably discover all sorts of other props that will be a real game-changer for your training.
