What Type of Dance Floor is Used?

Dance is a physical activity which involves a lot of jumping. This can put stress on bones and joints if it not practiced on the proper floor.

Since dance footwear does not provide cushioning or support, the shock of a hard floor can create pressure on the knees, ankles and back of a dancer and lead to injuries such as shin splints, stress fractures and tired joints. It is crucial that even the youngest dancers begin their training on a professionally sprung “floating” floor that provides the right cushion and give for the demands of dance. A floating floor is one that rests on individual high density foam based cushions to absorb the shock of jumping and landing.

The top layer of the dance floor is also an important factor. A vinyl/linoleum “Harlequin” is accepted worldwide as the surface for recreational and professional dance. Facilities used by such renowned companies as the National Ballet of Canada, The New York City Ballet and The Royal Ballet in London all use Harlequin as their dance surface. This type of floor allows the right amount of slide and traction to eliminate slips and falls. Regardless of the added expense, a Harlequin floor is the best and first choice of almost all major professional dance companies.

All of our studios are equipped with floating floors and Harlequin surfaces so that our dancers reduce the risk of injury and can dance longer without becoming fatigued.