what can i do to make my feet stronger for pointe?

Answer 1

Simply doing slow releves helps to strengthen your feet, and works on your arch and ankle strength, not to mention helping to break in pointe shoes. The slower the better here, so in a way it also helps with balance.

Arch stretches: Sit on floor in a straddle. Start with your foot upright, then keeping your leg straight, push your toes (without scrunching them) down onto the floor. The aim is to get your toes to touch the floor with your foot fully pointed, or even better, to get the top of the ball of your foot to touch the floor. This really helps with your arches, and also allows you to practice pointing your foot to its fullest.


Releves with a twist: start with both feet on the edge of a step or a raised surface. You can hold onto something for support at first, but try to built up your balance and strength so you dont need the support for balance. Put the balls of your feet on the edge of the raised platform, then lower your heel as far down as it can go, then slowly rise up into demi pointe, pushing up as far as you can go, then lower back down, again controlling the speed at which you lower.

Answer 2

Definitely resistance train either through slow releves or on the floor with a theraband or shirt.

Check out some of these exercise videos. I swear by them. http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=lisahowell2

Good Luck!

Answer 3

It's really your ankles that you want to make strong. Write your ABC's with them. Hold up your feet and draw all the letters in the air over and over. It sounds dumb, but it works.

Answer 4

take pre pointe classes to get u ready for pointe they really work and are great exercise!!!

Answer 5

wearing high heels at least 4 in. every day. i swear by it.