trog Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 I received an email about this today - has anybody tried one? https://www.footstretch.com/ It looks like it could be painful especially around the Achilles tendon. In someways it reminds me of that turnout machine that was exhibited when the Theatre Museum was in Covent Garden. I wish that I could remember what it was called. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna C Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 I know some people swear by these but dd's Physio is absolutely dead against them. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harwel Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 I don't like them, I think they compress the back of the Ankle. Banned at ds school. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drdance Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 No no and no again! If you want a passive stretch for your foot you're better off using your hands as you can 'escape' it quickly. These devices are so bad for many reasons including compression of the achilles tendon, passive overstretching ligaments in the foot and ankle = decreased strength and stability. There's no such thing as a shortcut - work hard, build strength and train effectively. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trog Posted March 21, 2017 Author Share Posted March 21, 2017 There's no such thing as a shortcut - work hard, build strength and train effectively. I agree! I wasn't thinking about getting one - a hand stretch is more than enough. I'm doing a fair bit of that today, as I've got a bit of cramp in my right foot from probably from overdoing it in the gym last night. I like the old Playboy Bunny trick too - roll your foot across a bottle. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dancing unicorn Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 (edited) Totally agree drdance, just didn't know how to say it! Good old fashioned foot exercises and hard work never hurt anyone (or precious feet!) Haha trog - my old dance teachers method - rolling foot on a milk bottle! Edited March 21, 2017 by Dancing unicorn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahw Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 Yuk yuk yuk. It worries me how many dc are using them - so risky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CeliB Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 I don't think these are new at all- didn't one of the children in the film 'First Position' show one off? Didn't think it looked like a good idea at the time. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Science in Dance Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 No no and no again! If you want a passive stretch for your foot you're better off using your hands as you can 'escape' it quickly. These devices are so bad for many reasons including compression of the achilles tendon, passive overstretching ligaments in the foot and ankle = decreased strength and stability. There's no such thing as a shortcut - work hard, build strength and train effectively. Don't crush your feet...work your feet... quality ballet coaching and teaching will emphasise footwork as a part of barre and centre practise. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peanut68 Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 OMG! Any parent or teacher making a child or encouraging a child to use this needs their head testing....yet another worrisome aspect of dance where it could verge on child abuse IMHO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shygirlsmum Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 DD asked for one of these for her birthday for the past 2 years, I have always said no but I was waivering this year. Thanks for posting this has made up my mind, it's still a no. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richieN Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 Seems to me that this is a really useful device.... ....as a method of punishment when they don't do their homework or won't tidy their room 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moomin Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 I don't really understand these things, all of the adverts have dancers with nice feet and I can't see how you could even get you foot inside if you had 'bad' feet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mummy twinkle toes Posted March 22, 2017 Share Posted March 22, 2017 Not to mention price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vmmom Posted March 23, 2017 Share Posted March 23, 2017 I saw a little talented ballerina doing a flop on stage competition after using this device for a week. She was encouraged by her teacher IMO is only a good method to ruin feet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahw Posted March 23, 2017 Share Posted March 23, 2017 What is a flop? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annaliesey Posted March 23, 2017 Share Posted March 23, 2017 My dd has one (it was a surprise birthday gift from a family friend) and not something we would have gone and purchased The one she has is pink and fluffy and quite cushioned inside. She says she likes it. She used to stretch with her hands but now she has her hands free for Snapchat/Instagram!!! She's pretty gentle and knows not to sickle but it's interesting the amount of people who ask to have a go who then sickle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shygirlsmum Posted March 23, 2017 Share Posted March 23, 2017 No idea what a flop is but DD has a friend who has been attempting some dancemoms move. Apparently dancing on toes barefoot, it sounds terribly dangerous to me but I'm no expert ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junedancer Posted March 24, 2017 Share Posted March 24, 2017 What is a flop? So I asked DD and got the "don't you know look". She says it is a fish flop and you can go on your toes to come up out of it. I am none the wiser! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahw Posted March 24, 2017 Share Posted March 24, 2017 (edited) Ah right.....!!?? I looked on YouTube and saw fish flop which is a back roll over one shoulder onto tummy. Couldn't work out where toes may come in. I have seen dances where they seem to come up from floor on backs of toes which looks very dangerous. .... Edited March 24, 2017 by sarahw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pointe-less Posted March 24, 2017 Share Posted March 24, 2017 Omg I can't believe people actually use these?! Very scary looking!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pointe-less Posted March 24, 2017 Share Posted March 24, 2017 Also......what on earth is a flop?......off to YouTube I go lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Science in Dance Posted March 24, 2017 Share Posted March 24, 2017 There are much more conservative safer methods which are just as effective that will allow strength and aesthetics to be maintained for a whole career. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vmmom Posted March 25, 2017 Share Posted March 25, 2017 (edited) What is a flop? A flop it's a failure, a heavy one. When you are sure to win and you didn't. This is an English word who is very used in Italy, especially in the show business. Edited March 25, 2017 by vmmom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna C Posted March 28, 2017 Share Posted March 28, 2017 This is an interesting viewpoint on the Pros and Cons of using foot stretchers: https://www.theballetblog.com/portfolio/the-pros-and-cons-of-foot-stretchers/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgarcia_bfs Posted March 28, 2017 Share Posted March 28, 2017 (edited) Hello friends! My name is Mike Garcia and I work for the company Ballet Foot Stretch (www.footstretch.com). We have been watching the activity of the forum for a few days and we have noted a lot of interest and questions and a few disagreements about our product. This is most probably due to a lack of information, and also probably due to plastic or wooden copies or imitations, to the extent of illegal plaggiarizing of texts, instructions, and promotion material (pictures),e.g. from China. Ballet Foot Stretch is an original product, studied, invented and created more than 15 years ago, patented in the US, manufactured in Europe, designed especially for dancers as an alternative method and tool to help improve their feet and flexibility. And we can say that today, it is already being recognized as an effective and safe method internationally by dance students and professionals. Why do we say that Ballet Foot Stretch is safe to use? Due to its special design, the Ballet Foot Stretch not only stretches, but also protects the ankle joint upon stretching, helping to reduce overload on the posterior ankle joint area ( the tibia, talus or astragalus, and calcaneous bones compressed) during plantar flexion, as compared to other foot stretching devices. Upon placing the foot on the device and carefully stretching the leg and pressing the front part of the foot downwards with the elastic, a double upward counterforce with the 2 high-arched supporting curves is produced acting as a "bridge support” for both foot arch and ankle, distributing pressure more evenly throughout the posterior part of the lower leg, reducing overload, and preventing posterior impingement (*) on the heel zone (tibia-astragalus-calcaneus zone). Ballet Foot Stretch believes and advices that it is necessary to know more deeply the virtues of the product and not to be confused with other imitations that may damage the feet of the dancers. Ballet Foot Stretch in fact was created with the intention to provide a safe but also effective footstretching method and tool alternative for dancers and gymnasts who desire to improve more their feet. If anyone has more questions, I will try to respond as quickly as possible. You can also find more thorough information in our blog. Thank you very much! Mike GarciaBallet Foot Stretchwww.footstretch.com Edited March 28, 2017 by mgarcia_bfs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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