Cross Training for Dancers | Part 4 - Inner Thighs

The previous blog posts in our cross training series covered the purpose and benefits of cross training as well as exercises for strengthening turnout, core muscles, and improving extension. Next, let's talk about strengthening the inner thighs.

The inner thigh is another muscle group used in much of ballet. Strong inner thighs aid in batterie, fast footwork, and dynamics.

When the inner thighs are properly engaged at the barre, tendus, jetés, frappés, and grand battements (and other steps!) are executed with more precision and increased dynamics.

Then, those barre steps transfer to more challenging steps such as petit allegro, fast pas de bourrées, and ronde de jambe en l'air. Dance instructors often give corrections to their dancers at the barre and in petit allegro telling them to engage their inner thighs faster.

The video in this blog post with certified Pilates instructor Beth Patterson focuses specifically on the inner thighs. For this cross training exercise, Beth recommends starting with 2 sets of 8 repetitions with a break between sets and using a 9-inch PBT ball. Use exercises like this to train your inner thighs to engage faster and with increased strength.