How do you warm up? Equipping dancers to create efficient, individualized warm ups
by Jennifer Milner, NCPT

A basic warm up, to me, has a few key components -
- Cardio
- Dynamic stretches
- Strength exercises
- Seasonal adaptations
- Your specific needs - turnout, feet, crabby hip, etc.
Typical envelopes -
- First warmup
- Second warmup (after a break, lunch, whatever)
- Extra warmup (could be before teaching for the night, or a short routine right before you go on for a competition)
- Cooldown
First warmup-
- Cardio
- Trunk stability
- Big muscles
- Dynamic stretches
- Individual needs
Second warmup -
- Stability
- Mobility
Third warmup -
Highly individualized, often with space and time constraints
Cooldown -
- Dynamic stretches
- Tension release
- Breathing
References:
Kaufmann JE, Nelissen RGHH, Stubbe JH, Gademan MGJ. Neuromuscular Warm-Up is Associated with Fewer Overuse Injuries in Ballet Dancers Compared to Traditional Ballet-Specific Warm-Up. J Dance Med Sci. 2022;26(4):244-254. doi:10.12678/1089-313X.121522e
Opatowicz P, Mroczek A, Kaczorowska A. Effects of a dynamic stretching warm-up on functional movement patterns in female hip-hop dancers. Med Sci Pulse. (2022);16(3):46-55. https://doi.org/10.5604/01.3001.0015.9777.
Afonso J, Brito J, Abade E, et al. Revisiting the 'Whys' and 'Hows' of the Warm-Up: Are We Asking the Right Questions?. Sports Med. 2024;54(1):23-30. doi:10.1007/s40279-023-01908-y
Contact:
@jennifer.milner
+1-917-689-7240