Choosing the Right Shoes: Dancing
Choosing the right shoe for ballroom dancing is an important task.
Dancing is so much fun, but that fun will not last very long in shoes that are not comfortable.
Once you find a great pair, though, you should notice yourself moving more gracefully, looking better and more stylish, and having more fun! Which shoe you choose is going to depend on what type of dancing you prefer to do, your gender, how much you would like to spend, and a variety of other factors.
Here are a few guidelines to help you to get started: Dance Shoes It is important that you get shoes designed for dancing, rather than a pair of street shoes that look like they might be.
Dance shoes are usually lighter and more flexible, and have suede soles to give you just the right amount of traction with the floor.
There will also be some added padding in the insole and extra toe room to handle the extra impact.
Be cautious of dancing in shoes with rubber or leather soles; rubber often has too much grip and leather can be too slippery, leaving you at risk for injury.
Standard vs.
Latin If you know that you will be dancing mostly in Latin styles, the selection you will find for the ladies will have higher, thinner heels than in standard shoes, and oftentimes an open toe.
Flared heels can offer some extra stability.
If you choose a strappy shoe, be sure to get one with straps that are not stretchy or thinner than 8mm; this will give you the support you need without straps that dig into your feet.
For men, the Latin style shoes will sport a 1.
5 inch heel; this helps with the Latin hip movements.
Standard style shoes for both genders have closed toes and lower heels, which are useful in crossing the floor with ease.
Fit Comfort should be your top priority when choosing your dancing shoes.
When you try on your shoes, remember that any initial discomfort that you may feel, even the slightest pressure, will become a whole lot worse once you begin to dance.
You need a shoe that is snug enough to support you, but not too tight for your foot to be comfortable.
Custom Orthotics One great way to increase your levels of comfort as you dance is to get a pair of custom made orthotic inserts.
Orthotic inserts designed for your feet will be able to counteract any irregularities in weight distribution that might have lead to sore feet or blisters if you had danced without them.
With them, however, you will be able to dance the night away in comfort, and not regret it the next day.
It may be a little more difficult for ladies to work custom orthotics into their dancing shoes, so check with your custom orthotic provider to learn what your options are.
Dancing is so much fun, but that fun will not last very long in shoes that are not comfortable.
Once you find a great pair, though, you should notice yourself moving more gracefully, looking better and more stylish, and having more fun! Which shoe you choose is going to depend on what type of dancing you prefer to do, your gender, how much you would like to spend, and a variety of other factors.
Here are a few guidelines to help you to get started: Dance Shoes It is important that you get shoes designed for dancing, rather than a pair of street shoes that look like they might be.
Dance shoes are usually lighter and more flexible, and have suede soles to give you just the right amount of traction with the floor.
There will also be some added padding in the insole and extra toe room to handle the extra impact.
Be cautious of dancing in shoes with rubber or leather soles; rubber often has too much grip and leather can be too slippery, leaving you at risk for injury.
Standard vs.
Latin If you know that you will be dancing mostly in Latin styles, the selection you will find for the ladies will have higher, thinner heels than in standard shoes, and oftentimes an open toe.
Flared heels can offer some extra stability.
If you choose a strappy shoe, be sure to get one with straps that are not stretchy or thinner than 8mm; this will give you the support you need without straps that dig into your feet.
For men, the Latin style shoes will sport a 1.
5 inch heel; this helps with the Latin hip movements.
Standard style shoes for both genders have closed toes and lower heels, which are useful in crossing the floor with ease.
Fit Comfort should be your top priority when choosing your dancing shoes.
When you try on your shoes, remember that any initial discomfort that you may feel, even the slightest pressure, will become a whole lot worse once you begin to dance.
You need a shoe that is snug enough to support you, but not too tight for your foot to be comfortable.
Custom Orthotics One great way to increase your levels of comfort as you dance is to get a pair of custom made orthotic inserts.
Orthotic inserts designed for your feet will be able to counteract any irregularities in weight distribution that might have lead to sore feet or blisters if you had danced without them.
With them, however, you will be able to dance the night away in comfort, and not regret it the next day.
It may be a little more difficult for ladies to work custom orthotics into their dancing shoes, so check with your custom orthotic provider to learn what your options are.
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