Platform Heels?

balletgurlie started this discussion · 5/5/2009

So I was wondering if there are any physical benefits to wearing platform heels when pole dancing? I've seen a lot of women wearing them and I was wondering if it was just for the sex appeal or if the platform heels give your legs more of a workout than everyday stilettos? If there is some benefits to wearing them, then could someone please tell me where I could find them online and how much they typically go for?

6 replies

SissyBuns · 5/5/2009
I'm still kind of new to this but the studio I go to requires platforms with a quarter size heel and ankle strap. I think this is for safety purposes. Mine cost me about $45.00.
glitterhips · 5/5/2009
I have read in several magazines that doing cardio workouts in heels can help work different muscles in your legs but Veena would be the expert on that probably since she's a trainer. They do help with poling if they have the plastic tops because they can assist you in climbing and when I do spinning climbs my feet sometimes tend to get kind of cut up and bruised if I'm barefoot so they help protect the tops of my feet. I also definitely feel sexier in them so I think that's a big reason a lot of women wear them. You can find them on Amazon.com for as cheap as $25 and they come in all sorts of colors. Just do a search for "exotic dancer shoes." Pleaser and Ellie are two brands that can take a good beating and still hold up nicely. Just make sure you look for a shoe that is real pleather on the top instead of just another material coated with pleather/vinyl because if it's just coated the pole will rip off the pleather...that's happening to my pair and it's making me sad but I've had them for long before I started poling. Time for new shoes for me too!
Veena · 5/5/2009
I love heels, if your not great at remembering to point your toes when you dance, heels can help you extend your leg line!! Heels can be great for working on balance, and yes, they can work on your calf muscles to some degree. Its not going to be like doing calf raises in the gym though 😉 .....but it could help improve your ankle strength/stability too. I always recommend learning new moves bare foot. 😀
Deirdre · 5/5/2009
Wearing some chunky heels can be like wearing ankle weights--- it adds a lil' "oomph" to your workout! For instance, once you get the shoulder mount down, try doing it with a pair of 6" heels on....whoo----ey!! lol
yogabeachbabe · 5/5/2009
I try to practice more in heels than barefoot these days. The first time I was at the studio in heels, I felt very self-conscious, especially when landing a spin because you can hear the shoes clunking down on the floor. I had to work extra hard to be silent, controlled and graceful. They do add extra weight to your workout and they do extend your line and they can help you in climbing like others have already mentioned. I prefer the chunky heels over stilettos because they feel sturdier--again, it was the first time I wore them, and I was trying to control my landing, came down slightly off and could have snapped the heel off. And I also think that if I accidently spike my neighbor, the chunky heel might hurt her less (although both probably hurt equally, lol). Since you're a dancer already, you might not feel it, but when I do a lot of grand plies in shoes in forced arch (in 2nd position), I can definitely feel it in my quads the next morning. My favorites so far are a clear plastic (clear REALLY extends the leg!) pair of Pleasers I got through http://www.shoebuy.com for around $40. They're super comfortable and secure. Besides, they scream out: "LET ME OUT--I WANNA HAVE FUN!"
balletgurlie · 5/5/2009
Thank you for all the advice everyone! I really appreciate it!