Hi Guys!

Question: Your Opinions Regarding Product Effectiveness & Safety (Ballet Foot Stretch/Pro-Arch/Turnboard/Flexistretcher)

After seeing seemingly a flood of ballet enhancing/conditioning tools on the market, I have been wondering which might actually be potential industry changing, and which might be simply a new exercise-equipment-money-maker.

Rather then spend a fortune (and countless hours) trilling these products to evaluate their effectiveness and possible value to my students, I was hoping that anyone who has used these products would be kind enough to write a review, particularly concerning their experiences of the products safety and effectiveness.

In other words:
- Do these products work, or are they more likely to be a money spinning gimmick (or potentially even dangerous)?

- If they do work, if they are at all an improvement on more traditional exercises i.e. the use of a Theraband to strengthen the feet, and simple practice to improve pirouettes?


However, I would also be interested to hear the opinions of dance teachers and practitioners as to whether they would endorse such a product, or actively advise against their use.


The products in question are as follows:

• ‘Ballet Foot Stretch’ ( http://www.footstretch.com )

• ‘Pro Arch’ ( http://www.dancedirect.com . . . )

• ‘Ballet Is Fun-Turnboard’ (http://www.discountdance.com . . . )

• 'Flexistretcher' (http://www.flexistretcher.com )



Looking forward to hearing your opinions!

Kindest Wishes,
Elida

Hello, Elida... I personally am not a fan of any of these devices listed that stretch feet, or the body. I believe they might actually damage a young person... I do believe that using therabands is beneficial to build strength and flexibility. They are not so drastic as the items listed in your post.

Personally, I recommend the Dancer's Dozen - it comes with two bands of different resistance and a stand up book with a great set of exercises. It was developed by some physical therapists at NYC Ballet so they know what they're doing!

http://www.dancemania.biz/gaynor-minden ... dozen.html

This does sound like something that could be trusted and beneficial to supplement training... Thanks...

Here is a link to the website of one of the best teachers I ever had the good fortune to study with..... Mr. Yehuda Maor... He has developed a very interesting technique using bands to strengthen and feel proper placement and alignment.

http://www.maordance.com/