Dancers can spend hours in the dance studio; it is their place of work and should provide a safe environment that is fit for purpose. Regardless of where a student chooses to study dance, it is essential to ensure that the learning environment is equipped to professional standards. The floor is a dancer’s most important tool; not only is it the canvas for their creativity, but it also provides protection against slips, falls, and long-term stress injuries.
Experts in biomechanics have established a clear link between the quality of a floor and the likelihood of injury, demonstrating that a sprung floor with a consistent responsiveness and the correct degree of traction is essential.
Experienced dancers can instinctively judge whether a floor feels right. When it does, they can focus entirely on their artistic performance free from concerns about their safety. This confidence stems from the assurance that they will not slip or fall, that lifts can be performed safely, and that the floor will consistently provide the right level of energy absorption on landing from jumps.
Anyone specifying floors for dance should remember that, while dancers may not be the commissioning clients, they are the end users. Major dance companies, schools and universities understand this, which is why it is common practice to have their dancers “test” floors before making a final decision.
It is a common misconception that a well-designed sports floor can meet the needs of dancers. However, there are critical differences between the requirements of dance and those of sports. Many sports demand a firm floor that enables predictable ball bounce, whereas dancers require greater shock absorption to protect their bodies, particularly when landing from jumps.
A high-quality floor specifically developed for dance provides the confidence dancers need to fully express their creativity, secure in the knowledge that the floor will consistently respond to their movements and support their performance safely.
There may be a temptation to choose floors based on aesthetics or budget. However, there have been cases where floors had to be replaced after construction was completed, as dancers experienced issues when performing on the unsuitable surface. Dancers should generally refuse to perform on inadequate floors and demand the right to use a touring floor with the same absorbent characteristics as the one installed in their rehearsal studio.
A dance floor should be neither too rigid nor too soft. A hard floor can cause serious return shock waves, potentially leading to injuries or premature cartilage wear. Conversely, a floor that is too soft forces muscles and tendons to work harder, increasing the risk of strain. Additionally, excessively soft floors can pose a hazard for dancers due to the element of unpredictability.
Harlequin is widely recognised as the world’s leading authority on dance floors. As an enlightened manufacturer Harlequin has always worked closely with the dance community to develop floors that dancers want to dance on. Flooring products in the Harlequin portfolio were typically evolved to meet the specific needs of a particular dance style and have been developed in conjunction with dancers themselves.
Leading dance companies from around the world trust Harlequin to keep their dancers safe in their rehearsal studios, on stage and whilst dancing from home.
But this assurance of quality is not only applicable to elite dancers. It is equally important to provide amateur dancers in performing arts colleges, universities and schools with the same quality flooring. Aspiring dancers need protection if they are to avoid cutting short their potential dance careers.
For venues where a dedicated space for dance is not available, Harlequin has developed four Portable Dance Flooring for Education Packs suitable for teaching various types of dance from the youngest age group upward, enabling all those in education to have safe floors that have been specifically designed for dance.
There is no doubt, the choice of flooring is critical. For over 45 years Harlequin has been the performance floor of choice for the world’s most prestigious dance and performing arts companies, theatres, venues, schools and universities.
Harlequin’s experience and reputation are founded on the design, manufacture and supply of a range of high quality portable and permanent sprung and vinyl performance floors chosen by the world’s leading venues – from the Royal Opera House to the Queensland Ballet.
Harlequin offers free advice to ensure dance companies and education facilities install dance floors best suited to their particular use.
For more information, please visit www.harlequinfloors.com or call +44 (0)1892 514 888.