As a former dancer, it amazes me when I hear someone say "Oh well dance, that's not really a sport" and my first thought is "well yeah it is, we do just as much as other athletes". The dictionary definition of a sport is an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature.
Competition dance does this.Yes. But dance is more than that. Consider these 10 reasons dance is a sport.
1. We put just as many hours, if not more into our training as other athletes do.
When I was in ballet, I was normally in the studio anywhere from 6-12 hours depending on what time of year it was and if we had rehearsals for a show or ballet and that was just on the weekends.
2. We compete.
And no, I'm not just talking about competition dancers, who compete every few weeks. Many ballet dancers compete yearly in the Youth American Grand Prix (YAGP) and some even make it to the finals in NYC.
3. It takes stamina.
I mean, really, how else are we supposed to do those three-four minute dances that are sometimes required as a part of performing. Oh, and we have to do it while looking graceful and smiling. Dance is both physically and mentally demanding.
4.We are susceptible to injury.
It's a part of life. if you fall or land wrong that can result in an ankle or foot injury. As dancers, if you jumping and landing on a hard surface shin splint are also possible.
5. We have to use our memorization skills to remember many dances at any one time.
While some athletes have to only remember a small portion of a play or set during a game, we have to remember entire dances and sometimes the order in which they are performed.
6. We gain muscle.
Conditioning class, pliès for our legs, push-ups for our arms, and everything in between. We are a lot stronger and tougher than we look, our muscles are just compacted to make our moves look prettier.
7. It is a workout.
Yes, we are tired, yes we typically come out of class with sweat-drenched faces.
8. We have uniforms, they are just called something different.
Costumes. These are our uniforms and they can be anything from the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Nutcracker down to what the youngest competition dancers wear for competitions.
9. Just because it's not an Olympic sport, doesn't mean it isn't a sport.
Football (American) isn't in the Olympics, neither is softball or cheerleading. Do people say these aren't sports? No. Then why does dance have to be in the Olympics to be considered a sport?
10. It is time-consuming.
Not that we usually mind because we are doing something we love.
