Most people interested in ballet often wonder if the shoes add weight that can cause discomfort to the ballerinas on stage during a performance or when they are conducting training sessions.
Having shoes that can hinder your movement is not a good experience, especially in ballet which prides itself in flexibility, performance and the ability to manipulate bodies to suit the choreographic performance needed for a successful session.
This article will expose you to the right information on whether or not ballet shoes add weight and things you should avoid if they happen.
Do ballet shoes add weight?
The answer to this question depends on the perspective or angle you are looking at it from.
If your quest is to know if ballet shoes add weight to a ballerina? It will be impossible to measure because a ballerina will not go and start looking for means of checking if a ballet shoe which is usually light adds any weight to her body because the information is not important to her.
However, if your interest is to know if ballet shoes themselves increase in weight after a ballerina uses them then your answer is negative.
This is due to the fact that ballet shoes even the ones made for brown skin ballerinas last for only a short period of time which means that you will have no chance to measure this and get a reliable result even if you want to.
How much weight is on a ballet shoe?
Ballet shoes on average weigh between 4 to 6.5 ounces generally.
However, ballet dancers majorly place customised orders for their shoes before it will be produced and sent to them in groups.
Moreover, Only cotton and cotton satin is used for the cloth materials: the shoe must both breathe and absorb.
Sizes run two to three sizes smaller than street shoes that people normally use.
Does the weight of a ballet dancer destroy or damage the ballet shoes?
Weight is a crucial factor in ballet.
This is due to the fact that for flexibility to be attained in performing professionally, the weight of the ballerina can either be a stumbling block to prevent optimal performance or a major source of enhancing her steps.
The weight of a ballerina can increase the chances of damaging ballet shoes even when they are expensive to obtain because they are made with cheap materials that are quick to get loose.
A Slim ballerina will spend less amount of money in buying ballet shoes than her counterpart who has more weight.
This comes as a result of the fact that a slim ballerina will have less chance of damaging her shoes than a fat ballerina if they engage in the same performance and training.
How much weight do ballet pointe shoes add to a ballerina?
Pointe shoes will add an average of 6 ounces to the total weight of a ballerina if she is weighed with the shoes on her feet.
However, that weight is negligible when you compare it to the one other people contend with while using shoes that are of different sizes and designs.
Is there a weight limit for a ballerina?
There is no specific weight limit that a ballerina must conform to before she can be allowed to train or perform individually or as a team.
However, slim ballerinas have more chances of being selected than a fat ballerinas because of their ability to easily manipulate their body and increase the artistic beauty of a ballet dance compared to fat ballerina who have certain qualities that made their choice not a good idea, especially in a professional setting.
Conclusion.
Ballet shoes do add between 4 to 6.5 ounces to a ballerina which is an insignificant amount that can prevent her from performing effectively during rehearsals or actual performance on a stage.
The weight a ballet shoe add is not important because of the quick disintegration of ballet shoes as well as the way and manner ballet dancers will customize the shoes to meet their specific requirements and personal taste.
Reference.
Pointe shoes, history and anatomy