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Heels dance is a fantastic outlet to explore your body & sensuality all while getting a workout in, but it can be intimidating to get started. We’ve been teaching beginner level heels dance classes since 2018, and here are our ultimate tips based on the pain points of our beginners who have danced with us in person or online.
Before we get into the specifics of heels, as a beginner it is totally fine to take a class in sneakers or in socks! At the end of the day, heels dance classes are just choreo classes done in a heel - you can still reap the physical and psychological benefits of the class without a pair of heels on your feet (unless the class that you’re taking is technique-focused - in that case, definitely wear heels).
As a beginner, you might feel more comfortable starting out in a shoe that’s a lower height, or with a thicker heel. If you wear heels regularly in life, you might be ok jumping straight into stiletto heels, but chances are starting lower is better!
A two-inch heel is great until you’re comfortable enough to go up to four inches. Most heels dance shoes are between 3-4.5 inches high, and some brands let buyers pick their preferred heel height.
Once you get into higher heels territory, we absolutely recommend buying a shoe that has laces. With dance, your shoes will stretch over time. Laces will let you tighten them up so you continue to feel held by the shoe as time goes on.
We have an entire guide dedicated to heels dance shoes in particular, which includes our favourite places to buy shoes.
Let’s start with an important question - do you want to take a class in person or online? Or are you open to both?
We find that often students like the idea of starting heels dance online so they can be in the comfort of their own home. This removes the pressure and nerves related to having people watching you try something new and look a little silly (we’ve all been there). You might find that online classes are a perfect fit for you, and just stick with them.
If you want to dance in person, do some research through Google and Instagram on classes in your area. Don’t neglect Instagram - a lot of fantastic heels dance classes don’t have websites and they require some Instagram detective work. Go down that rabbit hole.
Commit to trying out different companies, studios, and teachers in person. Everyone’s style and focus is very different and you need to find what you enjoy most. Do you really value getting dance education with your heels class, or are you content with just a great, sexy workout class? Maybe you have no idea what you want right, so give yourself a few months of trying classes to figure it out.
We have a fantastic online heels dance school with tons of beginner level classes, and a one month subscription costs less than the price of a single in person heels class. Give it a shot if online classes interest you!
Clothing is simple: wear whatever makes you feel best.
If you’re overthinking the clothing (because let’s be real, these social media heels class outfits can sometimes be crazy), just wear something that you’d wear to the gym. It’s important that you feel comfortable. You might want to wear a super sexy outfit to get a hot class video, but if you’re worried about a nip slip or if you’re uncomfortable in the clothing, that will definitely show in the video. Simple outfits can still look sexy!!! It’s more about your confidence than it is about the clothing.
Need proof? Take a look at me looking super hot while wearing the most basic outfit (this combo is available to learn on our online school by the way):
I often get the following question from beginners who haven’t even taken their first class yet:
“How long will it take for me to get to an intermediate level?”
And I always have the same answer for them: I don’t know.
Everyone is different. Your progress depends on your natural ability to pick up dance, your confidence, the amount of practice you put in, and how often you take class. We can’t predict your progress, so it’s best to not rush anything. Take your time, enjoy, and be pleasantly surprised when you improve.
Wishing you the best on your heels dance journey, and hope to “see” you in Bloom’s Online Heels Dance School very soon!
Bloom is located in Ottawa, Canada, and we are dedicated to providing quality heels dance classes for all levels that allow dancers to connect to their sensuality. Our classes are both in person and online.