Maybe technique is important (well, "maybe" probably isn't the right word), but I seem to remember reading a news story a few years ago about a troupe of professional dancers getting ready to put on a show at some theater and they found the stage to be incredibly hard. They refused to even rehearse the show until something was done to soften, or loosen the stage surface, which the theater owners did. If a group of professional dancers won't dance on a solid floor, and we can assume they knew something about technique, then why would amateur dancers do it? Of course, how many amateur (beginning) dancers even know to stay away from solid floors?

The way I look at it, a dance studio has two products to offer their clientele. First, their teachers and expertise. And second, their floor. I wonder how many studios have sacrificed having the best floor they could afford by spending money on things like custom paint jobs, cool artwork and mirrored disco balls. I'd rather take lessons in a warm or cool warehouse with a top-notch floor, than go to a studio that looks like the Roseland Ballroom, but has a thin, wood-veneer over a concrete floor. All the niceties can come later.

I'm looking at building my own studio behind my house somewhere in the future and you can rest assured that the floor will be one of the most expensive items in the building.

Most ballet or jazz dance studios have flex or speciality dance floors. I take adult ballet and my studio has a very large flex dance floor for classes and rehearsals. Ballet and most Jazz shoes have no support, so a cushioned floor is a must. The same for gymnastics.

I have been dancing for about 7 years and just realized that most dance floors have no cushioning. It was due to the injuries of friends and my dance teacher. I work her pretty hard during lessons. We are now getting ready for a competition and doing our competition loops---she is moaning and groaning about sore feet. She is dancing Pro Am with 5 other guys, so now she is really booked to the max and looks exhausted.

The teachers are the ones that should be leading a strike, revolt or start making demands. Their disability risks are high for the long run.

Personally I never wear any type of street shoes. My closet is filled with Keen, Merrell, Ecco, and Rockport shoes. I try to take care of my feet.


Hmm--I wonder how basketball courts are made, surely they have cushioned floors with all those expensive basketball players.

It surely is NOT impossible. When we finished our basement, I looked over all the options for putting in a floor, and I found a semi-aprung floor that was pricey but do-able. And it has worked very well, with no problems.

If I were to go somewhere for lessons, and the floor was veneer over concrete, I'd go elsewhere, no matter how good the teacher was. I'm not going to injure myself in pursuit of learning.

Jerry