Walking into a heels dance class is exciting—you’re ready to strut, slay, and move with confidence. But before diving into choreography, your body needs to warm up. Dancing in heels adds extra pressure on your ankles, knees, and core, so a good warm-up isn’t just helpful—it’s essential.
The right warm-up will help you:
Here are three beginner-friendly warm-ups every heels dancer should do before class.
Why: Your ankles do a lot of the work in heels. Rolling them out and strengthening your calves prepares them for balance and stability.
How to do it:
This not only builds ankle strength but also mimics the motion you’ll use while dancing in heels.
Why: Heels dancing often involves hip isolations, level changes, and floorwork. Warming up your hips keeps your movements fluid and safe.
How to do it:
Strong, open hips = cleaner lines and less tension while dancing.
Why: Your core is what keeps you upright and balanced in heels. Activating it before class helps you feel more stable during choreography.
How to do it:
An activated core makes it easier to stay centered while walking, turning, or hitting moves in heels.
Q: Do I really need to warm up if class already starts with stretching?
A: Yes—warming up on your own ensures your body is prepared, especially since heels put extra pressure on joints and muscles.
Q: Can I use these warm-ups at home?
A: Absolutely. They’re perfect for building strength and flexibility even outside of class.
Q: How often should I do them?
A: Try before every heels session—or even daily if you want stronger ankles, hips, and core.
Warm-ups are the secret to feeling confident, safe, and powerful in heels class. With just a few minutes of ankle, hip, and core prep, you’ll walk into choreography ready to focus on style—not on wobbling or soreness.
