Beginner
Knee Pads
Beginner Level
The foundation — what every new dancer needs to know
Protective gear worn under pants to cushion the knees during floor work, dips, and tricks common in bachata performances and practice.
Beginner focus
If your classes include any floor work or knee drops, get knee pads immediately. Volleyball knee pads from a sporting goods store work well and are inexpensive. Wear them under your pants during practice—there's no toughness award for unnecessary knee damage.
Tips
- •Buy two pairs: thicker ones for practice, thinner ones for performance
- •Wash your knee pads regularly—they absorb sweat and develop odor quickly
- •If you feel any sharp knee pain during floor work, stop immediately and get evaluated before continuing
Common mistakes
- •Only wearing knee pads for shows but not for the dozens of rehearsals that cause more cumulative damage
- •Choosing pads that are too thick and restrict movement, then abandoning them entirely
- •Assuming knee pain from floor work is normal and will go away on its own
Practice drill
If you practice floor work, do a knee-health check: kneel on a hard floor for 10 seconds without pads, then with pads. The difference in comfort is the difference in long-term joint health. Commit to consistent pad use starting today.