How to Wear Ballet Leg Warmers

In ballet, one of the most important forms of preparation is what you wear. Leg warmers prevent injury and keep ankles and joints warm. By properly dressing with leg warmers, you can also achieve a stylish day-to-day outfit. Ballerinas need leg warmers to accomplish various training tasks, but also wear them for comfort. You will have plenty of use for your leg warmers with a few tips.

Instructions

1. Slide the leg warmer onto the foot and pull up toward just under the calf muscle. If taking a ballet class, this should be done before leaving home. Doing so gives your muscles adequate time to warm while in transport.

2. Put on your ballet shoes and fold the leg warmer down so that it covers the top of the ankle. Make certain that the bottom of the ballet shoe is still exposed. This is done during warm-ups at the barre. The ballet barre warm-ups, aided by leg warmers, reduces strain on a sore ankle.

3. Remove the leg warmers during the run of the ballet class. Other than the barre workout, leg warmers are unnecessary as they inhibit movement on the floor. Leg warmers are traditionally folded up and out of sight during class.

4. Take off ballet shoes and place the leg warmers on the legs and allow them to stretch down toward the ankle. During closing stretches of ballet class and post class, leg warmers can be worn. Leg warmers re-warm the muscles during stretching.

5. Wear leg warmers on the legs during transit from class to home. You can wear them with skirts and low-heeled boots, and they will look stylish with jeans and ballet flats as well. Even when just wearing them with a ballet cover-up, you will feel warmer and look stylish.