Should I use ballet or pointe shoes?

Question

I'm just starting pre-pointe and my school gives you a choose of ballet slippers or pointe shoes. Which do you think is better for me? I'm taking another ballet class with it to so I was thinking pointe shoes, but I'm not sure. Also should I buy toegels to put in my pointe shoes if I get them?

Answer 1

First, you should make sure your foot is fully developed so you don't mess up your feet. I think you should start with ballet shoes and start doing 50 rises on each foot every day. This will strengthen your ankles and prepare you for pointe.

Answer 2

What is wrong with everyone!?!?!
I don't know where you go to school at, but there should not be a choice! If you are only taking one ballet class a week you should not have a pair of point shoes! If you really want to be a dancer when you grow up, you need to find a better school....
I am a soloist with Boston Ballet and was dancing at San Francisco Ballet for 4 years before that. I have been a ballet dancer since I was three. I have been a professional for 8 years.
PLEASE do not listen to any of these answers.....there are some of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard! You could really hurt yourself if your teachers are not good..... Which sounds like they are not....
I don't know if you have ever heard the saying "Those who can't do, teach." Make sure you know what your getting yourself into....This is a hard career choice and you have to be committed beyond 100%......

Answer 3

Only if you are at least 11 yrs old, weigh 80 lbs and have had a min. of 3 yrs ballet class (not combo classes) should you even consider pointe shoes. I don't recommend shoes of the "pre-pointe" category that have a toe box but no shank because who could resist the temptation to try to get up on them. Foolish mistake if you're legs are not developed yet. You'll never be able to dance properly on pointe if you get an early injury. The answer to gel pads has to come with a proper fitting and only at that time, because there has to be room in the shoe to accomodate that kind of stuffing without lifting your fot too far out of the toe box. Ask as many questions as you can. I think you need to understand the process a little better.

Answer 4

If you are just starting dance then why the heck are you thinking of getting pointe shoes!! You could really hurt your feet!!! And obvioslyyour dance teacher hasnt talked to you about them much because they would never recommend gels!!! They would most likely recomend ouch pouchesor the lambswool!! THey may hurt but they are definatly better for your feet than gels!!! That is the worst thing possible they may feel good but youcantfeel the floor and because you cant feel the floor you could stepon your toes wrong and hurt your ankle!! First you need to wait a couple of years before you even think of getting pointe shoes!!! then when you think your ready you should ask you teacher to test your feet before you get them!!! Take it from me I have been dancing over 11 years!! If you dont wait you could seriously damageyour feet!! And you dont want that!! Plz Believe me!! Its true!!! Oh yea also if you start to early you will only be on them for like a year and after that absolutly hate them!!

Answer 5

I would use pointe shoes as well so you get use to the feel of them. Pointe shoes are tighter and harder, so you'll have to learn to balance and walk in them even en flat.

You should definitely use some sort of padding even if it's just a paper towel. I use bunheads ouch pouches.

I would also bring your ballet flats to pre pointe as well just in case it gets too uncomfortable. Usually going up on full pointe is reserved for the last 10 minutes of class.

Answer 6

well...pointe shoes are going to be super stiff. You will have trouble doing things on demi pointe. If it's a pre-pointe class, chances are you won't even be going on pointe yet, just doing strengthening. So, I'd say flats. Either those, or there are actual pre- pointe shoes, which have no shank and are bendable, but have the hard box so that you can get used to having it there while dancing. You can check out Fuzi's pre-pointe shoes on http://www.fuzi.net/products.htm
Otherwise, I say definitely use flats...the studio shouldnt even give you the choice/temptation of getting real pointe shoes and going up on them before you're ready.

Answer 7

u should talk to your teacher and see what he or she thinks, u have to make sure that your ankles are strong enough and that your feet have stopped growing if you want to use pointe shoes. If you are taking a seperate technique class, then it would probably be a good idea for you to get pointe shoes as long as you get the best of both worlds u should be fine

Answer 8

Unless your teacher has told you that you are ready for pointe shoes, then you should be using technique (flat) shoes. There is no advantage to starting pointe before you are ready, and in fact, you can permanently injure yourself if you start too early.

You can use gel pads if you need them. You can use whatever you need to if you need it, unless your school has a rule against it. I know plenty of people who use everything from make-up wedges to corn pads to gel heel inserts (yes, in the toe box) to padded tape to ouch pouches to masking tape to simple gel pads. The structure of your foot and the fit of your shoes will determine what you need - I can't tell you, and neither can anyone else here on the computer.

Answer 9

pointe shoes hurt but if u are good at ballet and have been dancing for a while get pointe shoes for sure its gonna hurt tho

Answer 10

i would use pointe shoes but if you arent comfy then you can change into ballet slippers. that is what i did you have to get used to the pointe shoes