Why We Chose StageStep Sprung Floors for Every Dance Studio
When parents visit a dance studio, they usually notice the mirrors first. Then the ballet barres. Maybe the beautiful dance floor. What they don’t see is the most important part of the floor which is the part underneath it.
When we designed Peak Music and Dance, one of the first decisions we made was to install StageStep sprung floors in all three of our dance studios. It was a substantial investment, and certainly not the least expensive option. We made that decision because we believe it was the right one.
Our philosophy has always been simple. If we’re going to ask students to work hard, practice consistently, and strive for excellence, then we have a responsibility to provide the safest training environment we can. That’s true whether someone hopes to dance professionally or simply wants to enjoy dance for years to come.
What is a sprung floor?
A sprung floor is a floor that’s designed to absorb impact. Most people think of a dance floor as the surface they see. In reality, that’s only part of the system. A sprung floor includes a specially engineered subfloor beneath the dance surface that compresses slightly when a dancer lands from a jump or performs repetitive movements. Instead of sending all of that force directly into the body, the floor absorbs a portion of the impact.
The key word is slightly. A good sprung floor shouldn’t feel soft or unstable. It should feel solid while providing just enough give to reduce stress on the feet, ankles, knees, hips, and lower back. That’s one of the reasons we chose StageStep. Their flooring systems are specifically engineered for dance and have earned an excellent reputation in studios and performance spaces throughout the country.
Does a sprung floor prevent injuries?
Not by itself and we think it’s important to be honest about that. The best injury prevention is still excellent instruction, proper technique, appropriate strength and conditioning, and learning to listen to your body. Good teachers spend a tremendous amount of time helping students learn how to move efficiently and safely. A sprung floor doesn’t replace any of those things. It supports them.
Think about a runner. The quality of the running shoe matters, but so do training, conditioning, and running mechanics. Dance is no different. The environment matters, and the floor is part of that environment.
Is this only important for serious dancers?
No. In fact, we’d argue that it’s important for every dancer. Young dancers are developing coordination and learning proper movement patterns. Adult beginners may be asking their bodies to do things they haven’t done in years. More advanced dancers spend longer hours in class and rehearsal, placing even greater demands on their bodies.
Whether a student dances one hour a week or twenty, repetitive impact is still repetitive impact. We believe every student deserves the same thoughtful approach to safety.
Why did Peak choose StageStep?
We looked for a flooring system that was designed specifically for dance rather than simply installing hardwood over concrete. StageStep has become well respected in the dance world because of the way its sprung flooring systems are engineered. After doing our research, we felt it was the best choice for our students.
And it was expensive! There are plenty of places where a business can save money during construction. For us, the dance floor wasn’t one of them.
Why was this so important to us?
This question really gets to the heart of who we are.8 At Peak Music and Dance, we don’t believe our responsibility ends with teaching combinations, choreography, or technique. We believe it’s our job to create an environment where students can train, grow, and perform as safely as possible.
Every major decision we’ve made in designing our new facility has come back to the same question:
“What’s best for our students?”
Sometimes that means investing in exceptional instructors. Sometimes it means building a structured curriculum. In this case, it meant investing in professional-quality sprung floors in every dance studio.
Great dancers aren’t built in a few months. They develop over years of consistent training. If we’re asking students to make that commitment, then we believe we should make the same commitment to them by providing an environment that supports both their artistic growth and their physical well-being.
That’s why we chose StageStep. It wasn’t about buying a premium product for the sake of saying we did. It was about doing what we believe is right for the people who trust us with their training.
