a ballet dancer's turnout begins at the ankles

"Ballet's Turnout Secret: It Starts at the Ankles"

By Sarah KingDecember 20, 2025

Mastering Turnout: A Ballet Dancer's Journey Begins at the Ankles

In the world of ballet, turnout is not just a technical requirement, but a fundamental aspect of a dancer's technique and aesthetic. It's the outward rotation of the legs from the hips, creating a graceful, turned-out position that's synonymous with ballet. But where does this turnout begin? The answer might surprise you - it starts at the ankles.

Understanding Turnout: Beyond the Hips

When we think of turnout, we often visualize the hips and feet. However, the turnout mechanism is a kinetic chain, starting from the pelvis, involving the hips, knees, and finally, the ankles. Each joint contributes to the overall turnout, with the ankles playing a crucial role in maintaining and enhancing it.

The Ankle's Role in Turnout

The ankles are the foundation of turnout. They provide stability, control, and mobility. Here's how they contribute:

a ballerina's feet in ballet shoes on the floor

the legs and feet of two ballerinas wearing ballet shoes in a dance studio

Stability: The ankles support the weight of the body and help maintain balance, especially in en pointe or en relevé positions.
Control: The muscles and tendons around the ankles help control the degree of turnout, preventing over-rotation and injury.
Mobility: The ankles allow for the rotation of the feet, enabling dancers to achieve the desired turnout.

Building Ankle Strength and Mobility

To maximize turnout, dancers must develop strong, flexible ankles. Here are some exercises to help achieve this:

Exercise	Benefit
Calf Raises	Strengthens the calf muscles, which support the turnout mechanism.
Relevés	Improves ankle mobility and strength, while also enhancing turnout.
Ankle Circles	Increases ankle mobility and flexibility, allowing for greater turnout.

Common Ankle Issues and Solutions

Dancers often face ankle issues that can hinder turnout. Here are some common problems and solutions:

a person standing on top of a purple mat with their feet propped against the wall

Ballet student, pointe shoes, working on turnout... Pre Pointe, Fouetté Turns, Ballet Turnboard, Turn Out Ballet, Ballet Turners, First Pointe Shoes, Ballet Student, Ballet Toe Point, Pirouette On Pointe

Ankle Weakness: Incorporate strength-building exercises like calf raises and relevés into your training regime.
Ankle Stiffness: Perform dynamic stretches like ankle circles and leg swings to improve flexibility.
Overpronation: Work on improving your overall alignment and engage your core and glutes to prevent excessive ankle rotation.

Integrating Ankle Work into Your Training

Incorporating ankle-specific exercises into your daily training routine can significantly improve your turnout. Here's a simple way to integrate them:

Warm-up: Start your classes or rehearsals with dynamic ankle exercises to prepare your ankles for turnout.
Strength Training: Include ankle-strengthening exercises like calf raises and relevés in your strength training sessions.
Cool Down: End your sessions with static stretches to maintain ankle flexibility and prevent stiffness.

Remember, turnout is a complex mechanism that involves the entire lower body. While the ankles play a crucial role, they are just one part of the puzzle. By understanding and addressing the role of the ankles, you can enhance your turnout, improve your technique, and reduce the risk of injury.