Powerlifters Try to Keep Up With Ballet Dancers | SELF

We challenged a group of professional powerlifters to try to keep up with ballet dancers. Do they have the right balance of strength and stability to pull off ballet jumps? Will they get dizzy after trying proper turns? Can they pull off an entire routine? These amazing athletes take on the ultimate test to see if they can move out of their comfort zones and try to keep up!
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Powerlifters Try to Keep Up With Ballet Dancers | SELF

[@kathleenbattiest5183]

I'm a ballet dancer. I don't know why but it made me so very happy to see them doing this! Just seeing them, not knowing one step, and picking it up so fast. I think the girl powerlifter in the black shorts could have been a dancer if she didn't decide to be a powerlifter, she did a double pirouette!

[@Ailieorz]

She could have been both, they are not mutually exclusive. Imagine women being able to do lifts like the men :)

[@candycottrell6469]

I agree, that woman in the dark shorts did very well for a beginner. I wonder if being that physically strong made it easier for her. I enjoyed watching this as a student of ballet. It would take a powerlifter like that guy to lift me to the fish pose.

[@isabellelam9606]

I feel like the girl in black shorts did gymnastics or some other dance when she was young.

[@tonguepop9453]

@@candycottrell6469 im a ballet dancer and weightlifting helps. just having strong muscles allows you to hold your body better (they also help with power moves and turns)

[@candycottrell6469]

@@tonguepop9453 you have given me something to look into for improving!

[@PlumberryPuppet]

All the powerlifters did really great. But the girl powerlifter in the black seemed like she had some kind of dance-type experience before, or she was just really naturally talented with the movement/posture.

[@Taiga300]

I think she might be a former gymnast, her hand and arm movements are very gymnast-like and usually in gymnastics they do ballet training once in a while. Also her body type looks like the typical gymnast body.

[@angelagonz]

i believe she used to be a figure skater! :)

[@Taiga300]

@@angelagonz oh, that makes sense too!

[@maddiecosgrove6566]

@@Taiga300 i was thinking the exact same thing

[@BillyBob-cn6sb]

I thought she did great too

[@herrbrucvald6376]

I'm a weightlifter. Once I took some free ballet classes at the Rec Center to loosen up. I thought. I was gonna. die. Have boundless awe for the great ballerinas. How do they even do it?

[@ayladavis6257]

Practice, practice, practice

[@tghamilton1079]

That's art of the beauty of ballet. They make it look easy. Good for you for varying your fitness training.

[@alyssagatehouse6262]

@1...2 CHACHACHA!!! Definitely not easy even when you get to a professional level, there's always more within your technique that you can improve on.

[@DaDualityofMan]

This video actually reminded me of high school, I was a football player, and I actually had a dance class as a part of school, I was this big and macho but clumsy and uncoordinated teenager basically forced to learn ballet, and we even had to perform too, it was so embarrassing, especially at that age lol.

[@abfarrow3596]

Honestly, no idea. I've been doing ballet for 10 years and I ask the same question.

[@joyperry4003]

The girl with the black shorts is really good for first time, i have been dance for 10 years and she was a very quick learner

[@pheart2381]

She's very graceful especially her arms.

[@xxxxdaniek]

She’s a dancer as well, she has some videos of it on her insta!

[@ashleyleonard8148]

She has wonderful posture and strong core. Which really helped her form.

[@BusArch42]

She started turned out even though the teacher was in parallel. Definitely danced before

[@luizafigueiredo9995]

I love this video and I love that these people actually tried to give ballet a go instead of just making fun of classical dance while wearing a tutu, which is what usually happens in "someone tries ballet for the first time" videos.... The girl powelifer in black was so good! I hope she gives dance a shot as a hobby!

[@Heatherzilla]

I think she'd probably make a great pole dancer. That strength would translate to pole really well.

[@luizafigueiredo9995]

@@Heatherzilla true!!!!!!!

[@akshayde]

Tbf.. A tutu is pretty funny. Even the word tutu is hillarious

[@dasren]

@@akshayde Im not offended or anything but how is a tulle dance costume funny lol

[@2GoatsInATrenchCoat]

@@dasren probably because the form of a tutu is so bulky and unnatural compared to most clothing, and they bob around in a comical way whenever untrained people wear them. I'm not into physical humor but I understand why someone would think it's funny. that being said, when people think tutus on men are funny it's obviously because they're used to rigid gender roles. The first part of my comment was more about people who say they find tutus funny in general.

[@rebeccawest8973]

I love how delighted the girls are at being lifted.

[@ashleyleonard8148]

The girl in the black, her giggle was so sweet. She was having fun.

[@edith1315]

Yesss so cute!

[@user-wj4xo3fc2f]

I love u to

[@user-wj4xo3fc2f]

@@ashleyleonard8148 love u

[@sandpiperr]

Yes, the girl in the black giggling was so cute.

[@theahaberman8189]

I love how the powerlifters were all taking this so seriously and trying so hard... They really seemed to be enjoying themselves, too!

[@anne2356]

No wonder Mate was able to lift more weight so quickly for their powerlifting video. Look how effortlessly he lifts the ladies, and he does this probably very often. He's strong af!

[@julianakarasawa315]

Male ballet dancers are super strong! Doing what they do and making it look effortless takes A LOT of strength

[@halloweenallyearround4889]

Exactly what I was thinking.

[@sandpiperr]

YES! The female power lifters are small in stature, but very muscular, so they probably weigh more than you might think because muscle is dense. And even without them being experts who know how to keep perfect form, he didn't seem to struggle at all with lifting them.

[@Sophie-vw5ol]

I wonder in what way the training differs with a male ballet dancer (in professional schools).Do they also weight lift often?

[@ijane_dance]

Depends on the school. Most of the time there are conditioning classes. Some have weight lifting some don’t. Most, if not all, male ballet dancers I know weight lift though.

[@carriepickett2687]

So proud to see how open minded and respectful these “opposite” athletes are. We are all humans with bodies doing what we can with what we got. No matter your body movement of any kind helps you physically and mentally ☺️

[@ninakoen1682]

Okay but the giggles of the girls in the lifts challenge was the literal cutest things!

[@weeplener]

you guys should try doing dancers try to keep up with mixed martial artists (they both move their bodies around in various ways)

[@renjunhuangnumberonesaapdo5242]

YES IVE BEEN THINKING THE SAMEEE

[@justme2016]

I did ballet for years and now do kickboxing and jiu jitsu. I have a passion for all of it. The dance background has definitely helped with the martial arts!

[@uonigiro]

YES! both martial arts and dance utilize strength and flexibility!!

[@alpacafish1269]

True true

[@sexmansex4776]

i don't think it'll end well for the dancers 😬

[@angerkitten9931]

Not just a testament to the athletes but ALSO to the teachers!! It takes a gifted teacher to successfully teach someone with no experience. Kudos to the teachers!

[@anyak1446]

The greatness of ballet is making a hard sport look like effortless art.

[@SteelChains]

13:54 That ''squee'' melted my heart. What an absolute gem she is.

[@BlinkyB23]

The best part of this series is watching people exchange their knowledge and teach so respectfully, and they're all so supportive of each other...Even though they have diff interests, they all love exercise and are here to learn...The wholesomeness is very GBBO lol. I love it and it's inspiring me to keep moving my body!

[@helenefriedel6534]

Fffcffcgccfcfcfffggfgccffffffffffcfgfffccfgggcffffccfffcfffccfffffffgp

[@charleelawrence9475]

"i really like the turn because there are less moves to remember" girl i wish.

[@flamflam6652]

The muscle definition on the blonde ballerina is just insane!

[@savp4945]

Ikr? I can't stop looking at her.

[@siepkevankeulen]

All these people are so cute in how they enjoy giving it their all. Loved the video! Well done!

[@NevaehS]

I really enjoyed this, especially the tiniest power lifter was great! Her adorable giggle! They were all really embarrassed, but I think they did a really good job for their first time!

[@origami6796]

Those two videos (this one and the opposite challenge) are absolutely lovely, so calm and studious. I am impressed at how attentive and observant the powerlifters are in this one.

[@tghamilton1079]

I think that the power lifters did a great job. I started ballet at 10 and weight train now. Ballet really helped me with flexibility, proper form, discipline and frankly, pushing through pain.

[@tessacyclone6329]

Thats amazing but you should NEVER push through pain , listen to your body or pay more for more damage later. See twin talks ballet channel about this

[@tghamilton1079]

@@tessacyclone6329 That was many years ago. I agree in theory, but I remember those rehearsals when you get tired and your body aches, but the show must go on.

[@Its-oq4ng]

Same! I started ballet when I was 7 and stopped at 15. And now I’m actually training as a power lifter so this video is really just the 2 phases of my life smushed into one haha

[@43v3rh1d3n]

Ngl kinda wanted to the power lifter girls lift the ballet dancers. Just for funs

[@jmalheiros1587]

No but why did their pirouettes were so good? When I first started doing them I was terrible at them!

[@a.a.2573]

Same!

[@moongi325]

probably bc their arms & legs are strong so it's easier to keep it in the right place. I have a problem with keeping my arms in place because I get tired very fast 💀

[@a.a.2573]

@@moongi325 Lack of resistance, can relate

[@blueberriesandpickle]

they probably have excellent core strength which also helps

[@bethanytalbot2445]

I've been doing ballet for 10 months now and I'm still so bad at turns 😂

[@CC-si3cr]

The powerlifters were all enthusiastic and respectful of the dancer's training.

[@oceanswave]

The power lifter in black has such a cute personality! Also she is super talented with the poses and movements! Looks like she has some sort of experience in dancing!

[@MMEarlene]

Its so adorable how the girls are smiling so widely, giggly smilly n happy like an innocent child! The black bra girl is the happiest n she also did so well n they learn things seriously.

[@NietzzTube]

"I feel like just keeping all the movements together and making sure your arms look graceful and making sure you're on beat with the music is gonna be a challenge for me." Yep, that sums it up. 100% me when I tried ballet 😂

[@imthegabrielleg]

The girl wearing the darker clothing has some real natural talent. She seemed to instinctively get it.

[@pagano1905]

Absolutely!

[@jermini7780]

Mate, we miss you at the Richmond Ballet. I'm so glad you're still dancing-good luck and cheers to another successful season!

[@woahmamaa]

Wait, do you know Thel Moore as well?

[@yavannakementari4632]

I sometimes feel like I’m not a very good dancer because the dance studio I went to was for recreation, not profession. But seeing opposite athletes struggle at doing a waltz step made me realize that even the “easiest” steps are only easy for dancers, and that I’m much better compared to non dancers.

[@Vanilla-Sargeant]

I remember this is a sport in which the face actually matters Me remembering that one time I got exhausted and forgot to look graceful: 😬

[@Vanilla-Sargeant]

@1...2 CHACHACHA!!! exactly when we know that Ballet is so amazing, we don’t need to listen to anyone who underestimates it.

[@star12341998]

@1...2 CHACHACHA!!! Dancing is an art AND a sport.

[@audrey2498]

@1...2 CHACHACHA!!! you literally said “not counted as a sport”

[@lifeontheledgerlines8394]

@@star12341998 as someone who does ballet and plans on continuing to do so in college, I don't really think of it as a _sport_ per se, more of just an athletic art. I guess this is just arguing semantics tho :)

[@star12341998]

@@lifeontheledgerlines8394 Yes lol that sounds like you’re arguing semantics indeed. There are many ways dancers can compete against one another for entertainment- that makes it a sport...

[@BetaSwimmer]

I love how this shows the parallel of required strength needed in ballet. Like many "acrobatic" based skills (gymnastics, dance, ice skating, etc) its often a lot less about 'flexibility' and way much more about strength than most people realize.

[@user-wh5ir4fo4r]

Yup, I can tell by looking at the blonde ballerina's legs. Every little muscle engated.

[@bfetoile2955]

These ballet dancers really took it easy on the power lifters. They focused on choreography instead of putting them through a whole ballet class which involves high leg holds and lots of exercises that are really exhausting that the power lifters would have found challenging.

[@emilyjanet455]

A fun one to try might be a musical challenge. I'm a singer and I'd love to see pop singer vs opera singer! Or guitarist vs percussionist. Flute player vs sax player. So many possibilities!

[@lovelyssa1379]

I agree, I would love to see that!

[@MysticHeather]

Your have to find singers/musicians who have no experience on other instruments or styles but I think that’d be difficult. My whole family is consisted of singers and musicians and we all do and play multiple styles and instruments. For instance my dad is a bluegrass musician and my brother a heavy metal musician… but my brother can play bluegrass no problem. My dad plays banjo, mandolin, guitar, fiddle, bass, piano, and more. My brother plays guitar, bass, piano, mandolin, etc. In my experience most accomplished musicians or singers are very well versed in other singing styles and instruments so as good an idea as I think it is you’d have to find relatively inexperienced musicians and that would kind of defeat the purpose of these type videos

[@emilyjanet455]

@@MysticHeather as a classical musician trust me when I regretfully say it would not be difficult to find classical musicians who have never worked or trained outside of classical music. (Esp if you go to Europe...)

[@leeelahglitz47]

As someone who has been dancing for 13 years, it was really cool to see this! It was really nice to see weight-lifters appreciating the art form, but also seeing how patient and understanding the dancers were too!

[@emilyjanet455]

Love seeing strong guys find elegance in their gestures! He looked so good in the waltz!

[@lisaharward2572]

This is so inspiring to watch. I loved the other one too. We adults are always afraid of failing and "looking stupid." Everyone's willingness to try something new was so refreshing to see.

[@lillywallis3245]

I loved they guy powerlifter when he was lifting the lady he was so respectful and not like all on her

[@yunamonya6214]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJOlnIadhs6mmMk

[@MrAranton]

Looked more like "Having a strange woman's butt in my face is NOT what I signed up for" to me.

[@yunamonya6214]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/il7Em3uMqLKWgc0

[@Sarahr98998]

The girls picked up spotting really well which can be confusing for beginners. Nice job!

[@melodyleong]

I love how encouraging and also how positive everyone in these videos always are! We need to remind ourselves to be more like them

[@gatesurfer]

There's a story that when Rudolf Nureyev visited San Francisco, they asked him what he wanted to see, and he said "I want to see Joe MOntana play football." And the New York Times ran a story about ballet dancers appreciating the movement of Golden State Warriors' guard Stephen Curry. It's cool when experts in one field can appreciate the talents of experts in other fields.

[@mariammeliksetian7916]

I use to dance and I remember when athletes use to tell me constantly that dancing wasn't a sport but a hobby, they actually took dance for an hour and most were winded or cramping.

[@kpstrength1]

I studied ballet for many years and have been powerlifting for the past four years. There is a correlation as both require a focus on technique and body awareness, being able to brace your core and ofcourse repetitions. ❤

[@tohrutokota3005]

8:35 her little squeaks are adorable!!

[@DaDualityofMan]

This actually reminds me of high school, I was a football player, and I actually had a dance class as a part of school, I was this big and macho but clumsy and uncoordinated teenager basically forced to learn ballet, and we even had to perform too, it was so embarrassing, especially at that age lol.

[@monikakoryto2074]

Powerlifters are so sweet. They so light on their feet was amazing

[@chevon1920]

It’s easy to be light on your feet if your strong

[@woahmamaa]

fun fact, Matte was actually a guest teacher at my studio for summer intensive this year 😂

[@Dalaginding]

these powerlifters are so cute. the one who squees especially

[@jjejet]

I am in awe at how well powerlifter did! They all had "inborn" dance/ballet agility and the inner sense for the movements, like how??? They were all amazing, and I agree that the girl in the black shorts has either had some previous experience or she's just a natural talent for dancing. My best friend is a contemporary ballet dancer and I'm a bodybuilder I was always in awe at his lvl of body control and sense for every movement. Trying to do what professional dancer and ballerinas do is def a humbling experience.

[@cocok3919]

I love how docused the dude is while doing the waltz/balace!

[@glossaria2]

I love that Ru squeaks every time she hits it. She's clearly having a LOT of fun! They're picking it up really well. I feel like both professions require a lot of body awareness and strong cores, which transfers well.

[@AussieNikkiH]

Loved this combo of powerlifters and ballet dancers! More neat combo videos please!! I always learn so much

[@bruja_cat]

I love the way she giggles when she’s lifted! So cute!

[@NightW844]

A great video, the dancers are amazing at letting the powerlifters breathe with their own experience and they look like they had fun

[@smoupnhoize]

This amuses me because I compete in powerlifting and do ballroom/Latin dancing.

[@NouMPSy]

I really liked that the powerlifter dude did the standard arm to the side like confirming a stone lift to the shoulder in strongman :D

[@meliseong7141]

I'm an ex-ballet dancer and now I'm currently a modern jazz dancer. I've been dancing since I was around 4-5 years old and let me just say that when I saw them do some of the exercises, it made me really happy 😊 ballet is not an easy type of dance but seeing those people try ballet, made me feel like I'm a ballet dancer again 😁

[@timbarry5080]

I liked how the male power lifter looked up at the ceiling height before he lifted anyone. He obviously didn't wanna put someone through a ceiling tile lol

[@sarahabib1004]

Yes! People Ballet is a sport!

[@MadelineHouk28]

😁yeah it is! 👏👏👏

[@cat56789]

PERIODT SAY IT LOUDER 👏👏👏👏

[@yanyuet]

It’s an art form that is as physically demanding as a sport

[@KM-rt5jj]

Ru is so adorable! Love how she refers to ballet as a sport as well as an art form.

[@jasminewilliams4064]

the utter FEAR in their eyes when she did the chaines was GOLDEN

[@MrKry]

It's amazing how much strength and control the ballet dancers have while keeping such thin bodies. Their physiques are so optimized

[@blkgm7005]

Ru was super awesome!!! Just a natural at it and she seemed pretty flexible for a power lifter, kudos girlie! Stanley performed just like we expected a guy to after learning 15 minutes ago😁. Loved seeing him actually put in the effort and excel at what we thought he would...lifting. I couldnt do it. Great job everybdy!

[@astrid7146]

Ru squeaking was honestly so cute!

[@MaddieFishblob]

The only thing I loved more than the girl in gray’s dancing was her laugh 😂 SHES GOT SUCH A CUTE LAUGH OMG I RLLY WANNA BE FRIENDS

[@CrowMeris]

I'm soooo proud of them! As the one dancer said, the lifters' core strength really helped them with their balance. Good job!

[@KrisThroughGlass]

They all did an amazing job. I think Ru did especially good. She had a great posture and moved very fluid and graceful. I feel like this could be a great hobby for her.

[@hoshikoakitoro3730]

As someone who’s done a multitude of sports, I love watching these videos! I can’t wait to see the day my current sport, cross country, is in one of these.

[@gabrielasilva3561]

Mate is really and I mean REALLY strong, he lifted those girls like they weight nothing.

[@liquidgoldpictures]

next time, please start them off by teaching them the basics at the barre like turning your knees to the outside, letting them do plies and let them lift their legs for a couple of times... so they actually see it´s a sport as well and not only about choreography and dance... a lot of those barre exercises are a great cardio, as well as muscle workout...

[@CrowMeris]

They may have done that before rolling the film. Warm-ups/limbering the muscles are important before any physical activity, I agree absolutely.

[@martacastillo6272]

The girl in the black short is really graceful!😄 Also the piece that was playing when she was doing the final choreography was the Radetzky March if anyone was wondering🤭

[@pagano1905]

Totally agree’

[@gemmaryan5095]

Ru was so great! She could definitely take up ballet if she wanted to.

[@giannabaker4007]

I’m a ballet dancer and a weightlifter, this video was made for me!!! :)

[@p1ece_dontcall]

my dance teacher once said that as dancers we make the hard stuff look easy and the easy stuff look hard. this video is proof of that

[@Br0th3r7]

The girl with the black outfit was really really good! Very natural, very graceful

[@Ri-uu3ez]

Bro the powerlifter girl in black clothes was so graceful!

[@pyrrhy]

Powerlifter here and Lauren is my spirit animal haha! 😭 I felt her so hard the first time they showed her being lifted for the fish move.

[@BeatingHeartland]

Human bodies are extraordinary.

[@suhseal]

I'm so impressed with their spotting for the first time. I still struggle with it. LOL i just zone out sometimes.

[@aubreyarchives]

I have so much respect for these three trying this. It's such a different energy even though it's still all about that mind-muscle/body connection.

[@alexgoodreau4808]

They did so well and had a great time! Lovely to watch.

[@mcook6005]

So proud of them! Really wonderful to see such great instructors who are kind and encouraging as well.

[@briannadau]

This was so fun to watch, everyone did such a great job!

[@joaofarias6473]

This was great! I'm so happy to see this format back on the channel 👌

[@OHMD11]

These videos always make me so happy because the folks involved are so excited for each other

[@daiisyxc]

THEY ALL DID SO AMAZING AND IM SO IMPRESSED WITH HOW WELL THEY ALL DID!!!!

[@aewtx]

She's a great teacher. Explains every step, is patient.

[@francisvandermosen302]

This is the best ballet video on the web with dedicated and talented learners and very good teachers who propose basic movements that are not boring.

[@henrimatisse7481]

I enjoyed that very much! All participants showed their caring for the craft and each other

[@annettefournier9655]

Well done! The female power lifter in black has a natural strong center of gravity.

[@claireguillon7596]

Duuuude they were really good! And so respectful not just goofing around. Def my fav vid of this kind I've seen involving ballet. Kudos powerlifters!

[@Ferovka]

Great video! Really great! Thank you for making and sharing it 😊 I am impressed by the great movements made by the powerlifters!

[@beataks8859]

I love this series. It shows you that there are so many interesting options for physical activity!

[@haileywahlmann]

As a ballet dancer, I have to say I feel mind blown that a weightlifter got a clean double pirouette, 90 degree arabesque, and 180 degree saut de chat in just a couple of minutes. This kind of strength, flexibility, and control is years and years of ballet training, but Ru got it in a few minutes.

[@leslie-ann2190]

I'm so in love with this video. As a ballerina it's heartwarming to see people try and appreciate ballet. They did so well for a first try. The girl in the darker shorts shocked me❤️ she could be a powerlifter and a ballerina. She's obviously not flexible but she's got such a good flow to her moves....and the DOUBLE pirouette

[@user-wh5ir4fo4r]

They all did well for their first class, picked up the choreography immediately. Well done, all of them! This is great.

[@KirumotoChan]

I had a big smile throughout the video. Loved all of it. ☺️

[@victoriaolaechea6427]

This series is so wholesome to me!! I love seeing people respect and try other peoples sports and hobbies 😌

[@chochooshoe]

if that ballet guy could lift the powerlifter guy like nothing, then he's REALLY something...

[@kimdkus]

Congrats to the power builders!!! man, Ballet is hard. I used to dance ballet and I struggled in it. Now I box and I like it.

[@CrowMeris]

Do you think your time in ballet helped with your balance as a boxer?

[@tonguepop9453]

it always amazes me how when ever i see a "(blank) tries ballet" video they always start them off with hard steps and never with a like actual class setting. why not run them through a quick barre first before just jumping into turns lol edit: that definition of passe is extremely wrong, passe is a verb and means to pass it has no set position and can be used in many different terms. what we call a passe in turns is actually called retire (or retire devant to be more specific since the foot is in front of the knee, devant means to the front)

[@ltsf]

Yeah why no plie and basic stuff

[@tonguepop9453]

@@ltsf I guess it makes it more entertaining 🤷 but I feel like it gives people the wrong idea about ballet especially how a class is run. plus idk I think watching people find out how difficult it is to proper pile or tendu is much more entertaining then watching them try and do grande allegro.

[@heartbreakinstreo]

i agree

[@tessacyclone6329]

@@ltsf maybe as its a short video and they are already with powerlifters legs feet and ankles ?

[@moongi325]

I was confused why they started with pirouette without teaching them demi plié & grand plié first