how do ballroom dancers keep cool?
June 9, 2013 5:36 PM Subscribe
My grandfather doesn't like how hot and sweaty he gets while dancing. Could the ballroom dancers of MeFi describe how they stay cool? Note that I am not a ballroom dancer and will have to translate your answers, so be generous with your explanations.
For contra, I just wear a cycling jersey, but apparently ballroom people are less accepting of garish shrink-wrap.
For contra, I just wear a cycling jersey, but apparently ballroom people are less accepting of garish shrink-wrap.
I was told by a guy at a swing dancing event that he brings four shirts when he goes out dancing cause they end up soaked.
posted by carolr at 6:47 PM on June 9, 2013
posted by carolr at 6:47 PM on June 9, 2013
Yeah, don't wear shrink-wrap to ballroom or swing.
It's been a few years, but I did swing and ballroom for a long time:
Wear a t-shirt under your shirt and bring another one to change into. Bring as many shirts as you can. Depending on the venue, you may be able to hang them in the Mens Room or Coat Check.
Handkerchiefs as thoera55 mentioned. Bring multiple. Really refreshing if you launder them with lavender.
Rinse your face/head with cold water as often as possible. Bring a comb.
Stay hydrated and rest. Drink ice-water between dances. Put an iced towel on your neck and sit down for one dance. The orchestra's not going anywhere.
Linen is key for energetic dancing suits.
posted by trip and a half at 7:04 PM on June 9, 2013 [2 favorites]
It's been a few years, but I did swing and ballroom for a long time:
Wear a t-shirt under your shirt and bring another one to change into. Bring as many shirts as you can. Depending on the venue, you may be able to hang them in the Mens Room or Coat Check.
Handkerchiefs as thoera55 mentioned. Bring multiple. Really refreshing if you launder them with lavender.
Rinse your face/head with cold water as often as possible. Bring a comb.
Stay hydrated and rest. Drink ice-water between dances. Put an iced towel on your neck and sit down for one dance. The orchestra's not going anywhere.
Linen is key for energetic dancing suits.
posted by trip and a half at 7:04 PM on June 9, 2013 [2 favorites]
A towel and a few extra shirts ...
posted by ChuraChura at 7:07 PM on June 9, 2013
posted by ChuraChura at 7:07 PM on June 9, 2013
As a lady, as little clothing as modestly possible, a towel and a couple of changes of clothes, and just accept you're going to get covered in your and your partners' sweat. That's life, it happens.
Don't drink too much water if you're dancing vigorously otherwise you will throw up.
Lots of dancers where I dance use Japanese fans to keep a breeze going. I don't recommend using these while you dance though as it's almost impossible to keep fanning with one hand and a different rhythm with your feet, and can be injurious to others on the dancefloor.
posted by kadia_a at 10:59 PM on June 9, 2013
Don't drink too much water if you're dancing vigorously otherwise you will throw up.
Lots of dancers where I dance use Japanese fans to keep a breeze going. I don't recommend using these while you dance though as it's almost impossible to keep fanning with one hand and a different rhythm with your feet, and can be injurious to others on the dancefloor.
posted by kadia_a at 10:59 PM on June 9, 2013
For the extra layer under the shirt, consider using one of those cycling/running garments with the tight stretchy modern fabric that is designed to keep you cold. Then have the outer layer something that can breath.
Between dances, spend some of the time standing under the biggest AC vent in the ballroom, or in the breeze outside. The AC vent can even become a sort of dance version of the office water cooler, with everyone chilling out together (sorry) at the vent, making conversation.
The venue should also be keeping the room temperature down. If he thinks the AC could use some adjustment, he should talk to a few other dancers and see if others share that desire.
posted by anonymisc at 11:27 PM on June 9, 2013
Between dances, spend some of the time standing under the biggest AC vent in the ballroom, or in the breeze outside. The AC vent can even become a sort of dance version of the office water cooler, with everyone chilling out together (sorry) at the vent, making conversation.
The venue should also be keeping the room temperature down. If he thinks the AC could use some adjustment, he should talk to a few other dancers and see if others share that desire.
posted by anonymisc at 11:27 PM on June 9, 2013
Almost all the males change shirts (and some of them also change socks/shoes) during the ballroom dancing events that I attend. A quick washcloth/water/soap wipe down feels pretty refreshing and keeps you cool for quite some time and a fresh application of deodorant keeps away odors. Drink lots of water and keep away from caffeine and alcohol. The dance hall I go to has large fans where people start to congregate after awhile...I also find it helps to take a few minutes to go outside and enjoy the night air.
posted by AnneShirley at 5:54 AM on June 10, 2013
posted by AnneShirley at 5:54 AM on June 10, 2013
I try to dance near one of the large electric fans near the edge of the dance floor.
In the winter, going outside for a bit helps to cool off.
The only way to prevent getting sweaty is to avoid drinking water, then you can get heatstroke instead. I don't recommend that method.
posted by yohko at 6:05 PM on June 10, 2013
In the winter, going outside for a bit helps to cool off.
The only way to prevent getting sweaty is to avoid drinking water, then you can get heatstroke instead. I don't recommend that method.
posted by yohko at 6:05 PM on June 10, 2013
Salsa dancer here.
T shirts under your shirts.
Many changes of shirts.
Dancing on the "edges" of the dance floor keeps the area well ventilated for you.
Learning to regulate your breathing during dancing goes a LONG way to preventing sweating.
Handkerchiefs.
Some of the guys in my team stumbled upon the brilliant idea of buying some Nike drifit golf clothing - smart enough to look like normal shirts and pants, but amazing wicking fabric. They swear by it for big social dancing nights out.
posted by shazzam! at 12:37 AM on June 11, 2013 [2 favorites]
T shirts under your shirts.
Many changes of shirts.
Dancing on the "edges" of the dance floor keeps the area well ventilated for you.
Learning to regulate your breathing during dancing goes a LONG way to preventing sweating.
Handkerchiefs.
Some of the guys in my team stumbled upon the brilliant idea of buying some Nike drifit golf clothing - smart enough to look like normal shirts and pants, but amazing wicking fabric. They swear by it for big social dancing nights out.
posted by shazzam! at 12:37 AM on June 11, 2013 [2 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by theora55 at 6:03 PM on June 9, 2013