Technique classes are the staple of training young dancers so they are equipped with a solid technical foundation which they then can parlay into any dance idiom. While this aspect of dance education is essential, so is the notion of making sure your dancers have the cardiovascular stamina and strength to support that technique.

For a large number of students, the amount of gym time they get at school is nominal. Plus, there are an increasing number of kids who are extremely out of shape, who are less active as a whole due to the surge of mobile, devices, iPads, etc. and don’t get outside much to run and “play.”

It’s especially important for us to take responsibility to make sure our students are in a healthy state, not solely for aesthetics but to ensure they are full of energy and are engaging in a healthy exercise regimen.

So how do we do this? For me, I pick a class like jazz or musical theater to add a short cross training element to the beginning of my warmup. It can be modified or progressed by age and will warm up your dancers quickly. It doesn’t need to be long or complicated and the kids actually get into it once the moaning and groaning subsides after the first two minutes. Now, if you have the time in your yearly studio schedule to devote an entire class to cross training, stretch and strengthen, etc. fantastic!! But, not many of us do. So, try carving out time in your weekly classes and watch the difference it will consequently make in technique, balance, coordination, core, strength and stamina.

Below are some example of variations I use. They can be modified, some exercises omitted, repetition rounds increased or decreased, light weights or band work added, etc. to suit you and your dancers needs. The main objective is... get them moving and get their heart rates up! Remember to always add an active recovery in between circuits and at the end, like walking slowly or slow stretches to bring the heart rate down.

Here is one variation that I use with my 8-10 year olds:
1. Run around the room (usually in a circle. Reverse directions
2. 10 jumping jacks
3. 10 burpees
4. 10 sit-ups
Repeat 2-3 rounds

A progression of a circuit warm-up for preteens might include 3 rounds of:
1. 20 jumping jacks
2. 20 jump roping with a tuck jump
3. 20 seconds high knee runs
4. 15 burpees
5. 15 push-ups
6. 30 second mountain climbers
7. 30 second plank

For my oldest advanced dancers I might include 5 rounds of:
1. 20 seconds high knees
2. 20 squat jumps or 20 jump split lunges
3. 20 squat to jack knife. Back to squat, jump up twist to squat and face other direction, jump into a burpee. Jump back to squat to face original direction
4. 20 sit ups or v-ups
5. 20 push-ups to side plank hold
6. 1 minute mountain climbers or floor jacks
7. 1 minute plank hold or 1 minute of “dolphins”

Remember, you know your dancers best. Everyone's starting point will be different. Progress slowly and add to it each week for optimal success and confidence building!

Good luck!

See you in the dance studio,

Jess