Problems with Ballet Heels?

Lolita · 3rd February 2008, 18:06

I've noticed a few people mentioning not being able to straighten their knees in ballet heels, and I was wondering why this was? I'm hoping to get a pair fairly soon, but I'm trying to work out anything that I can prepare for in advance to make the process of learning to walk in them quicker.

Also, if people could mention any other problems and how they solved it, I'd apreciate it!

Thanks in advance.

HighBoots · 4th February 2008, 08:55

The inability to straighten legs at the knee with you wear heels higher than a specific length depending on the individual depends on how supple your ankle is. It's the ankle which will stop you from straightening your leg, no the knee.

Solution is pretty simple, you must exercise your ankles to augment their suppleness. It may not work for all individuals though, and women are known to have a more supple ankle than men naturally.

DR Who 3 · 4th February 2008, 16:32

When I first started walking/standing in the Devious ankle boots I bought I thought I"ll never be be able to straighten my knees. This was truly painfull at first , the toe pain was unbareable and my ankles wern't flexable @ all but after working out a good toe padding scheme and walking/standing as much as I can I can now stand straight and I find that my posture is better while wareing my ballet boots. I also streach my ankles/ feet in the pointe position while in bed @ night for a while before going to sleep with resistance from the bed sheets ect. I still have some ankle pain when I have had a good hour walking session but some ibuprofin helps with that. The best advice I can give you is take care of the toe padding and tighten up the boot laces real tight and practice walking/ standing going up and down stairs and doing household chores to take you mind off the pain as much as you can stand and eventually you will be able to handle thes boots as well as regular shoes. I did modify my boots because I didn't want the heels breaking off check my other posts for the details.
I hope this helps and keep on pointe.

Lolita · 4th February 2008, 17:32

This has made me VERY happy to hear- I tend to have my feet pretty much in the 'pointe' position when I'm sitting about barefoot- the only difference in the positioning of my foot even right now is my toes, if I do completely point my feet they're the only part that moves, and even sitting doing it just now isn't causing me any discomfort, so this is looking very promising!! Thanks!

I have a friend who uses the toe pads designed for pointe shoes in her ballet boots, they might help with the toe pain Dr. Who 3?

HighBoots · 4th February 2008, 18:10

I just noticed the awful spelling of my previous post, hopefully you understood what I was meaning. Sorry for that, it will teach me NOT to type messages before my morning coffee ;)

DR Who 3 · 4th February 2008, 21:43

Hi Lolita, Dr Who3 again.
It is good you can position your feet in the pointe position the main thing I have expierenced is after I put the ballets on that my ankles rebell because they aren't used to having my weight transfered to them in the pointe position. From what Iv'e read ballet dancers take years of daily practice before their ankles/feet work will. I hope in time the discomfort won't be an issue. I use Leo's pink gel toe pads with a thin piece of eva foam rubber aprox 8mm x 70mm x100mm across the top of my foot to make the fit in the toe box tighter this keeps a lot of my weight off my big toes. If you wear 4-5'' heels then balance shouldn't be a problem also your caf muscles won't rebell as much. I think you'll find after putting the ballets on for the first time and after you'll not want to take them off because of the height they instantly give you plus the challange and pleasure of wearing this kind of shoe. The ankle boots will help with support and I suggest you start with those. Also after a walking/standing session don't forget to streach your ankles/feet in the point position for a while. All the best to you and I believe you will love the ballets after you work into wearing them. If possible post pictures of your progress I plan on posting some of me this spring.

Lolita · 6th February 2008, 04:59

I'm actually planning on starting a blog elsewhere once I get started, but I'll post links for it.

I used to wear 5" heels all the time with no problem, I haven't for a while but I'm getting a few new pairs that I'm planning on wearing on a daily basis, then switching to 6" before I start in the ballets- although I'm only allowing myself to raise my heel height as I loose weight, as an incentive to actually stick with a diet for once, so I'll be charting my progress mostly for myself but hopefully my experiences will help others too.

DR Who 3 · 8th February 2008, 22:04

Hi Lolita.
I believe your weight loss program would benefit from wearing ballet boots/heels. I have found when I wear mine I get a good workout in my legs and a bit of an aerobic exercise as well. My workouts are enhanced be doing house work while wearing ballets. I find that just putting them on is a bit of a work out for me as well and as a plus my balance is exercised. All of these workouts has helped my snow skiing this year.
Well that's about it for now I 'm going to put my boots on and go for a short stroll after work.
By for now.

Lolita · 9th February 2008, 04:38

Yea, but then I wuldn't have them to look forward to!! It's the old carrot and stick method, and it's one of the few ways I cvan get myself to stick to stuff, especially as my boyfriend is less than helpful in supporting my weight loss. Also, I don't think I could wear them to a boxing gym or a swing dancing class!!!

I am getting a wobble board to work on my balance though... and a hula hoop, but thats just cos I miss having a hula hoop- although I can't help but feel that hula hooping, on a wobble board, in five inch stilletoes would be an acheivement... I'm going to try it!!!

BB_in_heels · 9th February 2008, 06:07

Lolita,

Good luck with you plans, learning to walk in ballet's is a very challenging and rewarding process. I admire your plans to reward yourself for your weight loss, Personnal I don't have that much self restraint.

I've got a couple of pairs, one thigh high the other ankle boots and I find the ankle boots much eaiser to walk in. Not sure why this is the case, but it does have the added benefit that they are much easier to put on that the thigh boots.

J