I have been in ballroom dancing for 11 years. When I started people didn't really know what ballroom dancing was. The public's view of ballroom dancing has always been Fred and Ginger Rogers. Though they are classic dancers, and will always be the most well known dancers in the world, dancing has evolved into something much, much more. Every year the dancers are starting younger and younger. I am teaching 5 year olds how to ballroom dance! With all of this attention I think that people should understand what it really takes to be a ballroom dancer, and be competitive with the world. People think that they can take a few classes and call themselves ballroom dancers. This is not true. It takes years and years of training and commitment, money and patience to become a real ballroom dancer. This is one of the few sports that the professionals are still taking lessons all the time. There is always something new to learn and something that can make even the best dancer a little better. It is a sport that no one will ever conquer. Once you think you have conquered it someone will always come along and do something better or new and pass you up. It is changing every day. The competition is getting harder and harder every day. If you don't have the drive to continue working you will never make it. So what makes a REAL ballroom dancer? Well, I am going to explain the key elements of a real ballroom dancer.

First, you need the desire. If you want to take ballroom dance for fun, that is great but you need more than that. Ballroom dancers literally live to dance. They have to have that desire and drive in order to get through the disappointment, struggle and frustration that come with this sport. If you don't have the desire there is no point in spending the money or the time it takes. You can't teach this element, this is something that you are born with.

Second, you need time! You have to be willing to spend a lot of time on this. You need to train at least 4 hours a day and travel around the country and the world. As with any other skill it takes years to achieve the type of excellence the top professionals achieve. You will be spending tremendous amounts of time with your dance partner so it is best you get a long. You need to be willing to travel for competitions. It is important to travel and have different judges see you so you can be known. Traveling takes up a lot of time.

Third, training. It is imperative that you receive good training. You must train with different coaches and styles. Since dancing has evolved it is important to know more than one dance style. Get trained in Ballet, this will help with everything you do. Be familiar with any other dance style you can. You never know what you will need to do for a show. It is important to train with different coaches because ballroom is a political sport and a lot of time the coaches are the judges. You need to be on their good side and they need to know who you are if you want them to even look at you. It isn't right but that is just how it is.

Fourth, MONEY! Ballroom is probably the most expensive sport around. For good training you will be paying from $80-$250 for 45 minutes! Shoes cost around $90.00 and you will need to change them at lease twice a year, probably more. Dresses will cost between $500-$5,000 per dress. You must pay for all of your travel and lodging for any competitions outside of your state or country. Even if you manage to get sponsored for dresses or shoes, you have to pay for lessons and that is the most expensive of them all. Lessons are where dancers make all of their money. There are also competition fees to even enter the competition. This all adds up very quickly.

Fifth, you need endurance. It takes a long time to get good at ballroom dance. Don't get discouraged every one has to go through it. There will be times you dance better than other couples but get a lower score because they are more well known than you, or their coach is one of the judges, or they don't like your dress or your hair or something about your partner. There are so many things that go into what the judges look for that you can't control, so don't let it get to you. You have to just do the best you can and be happy with that. Some day it will all pay off.

The last thing you need is to look like a ballroom dancer. You can spot a ballroom dancer from a mile away. This is a very vain sport and it is important to care about how you look. You need to be in shape and your hair either has to be black or platinum blonde, there is nothing in between. You need to wear expensive clothes and have great taste. Dancers are very into fashion. You need to be tan all year round and have your nails done. You need to wear false eyelashes for competition and do your makeup so that you look like you should be standing on the street corner. Your costumes need to be great and functional. Looks are important because in the competition if there are two couples that are technically the same and they both have good expression the judges will look at how they look. If one couple is better groomed and looks more professional they will get a higher score than the other couple. That is just for the ladies. The men have it easier but they still have to tan and they have to wear tight pants. Looks are very important.

Well those are the most important elements of ballroom dancing. Dancing doesn't have to be like this. It is a great hobby for couples and friends. It is a way to meet people of the opposite sex and a great way to exercise and have fun. When you see a ballroom competition just realize people sacrifice a lot for this sport and there are many things that go into becoming a REAL Ballroom dancer.