There are many opinions about the benefits of warmers, and also of when they should be worn. All will agree however, that proper warm up before class, and cool down after class is essential to keeping muscles healthy and pliable. Often times dancers are doing their warm ups outside of the studios in breezy hallways, waiting rooms and lobbies. When warm muscles come into contact with cool or cold air the muscles tighten immediately and therapeutic stretching actually becomes a hazard. It is crucial no matter what medium you are in to have the proper attire to stretch in and keep your muscles healthy.
Another mentality, shared by many in the profession, is that your attire makes a difference in your attitude. Coming to the studio to stretch in pajama pants, creates a different mentality entering the studio than coming in with dance warm ups. Dance warm ups get you focused for the work ahead. Pajama pants, while fashionable sometimes, creates a sleepy, casual disposition upon entering the dance studio.
Dance Warmers are also extremely useful in theatres. Theatres that are older often are drafty and the theatres that are newer are very often over air conditioned to keep the audiences comfortable. These are not always the best circumstances to dance under, but a fact of a performers life. Many warmers are designed with costuming in mind and are easily taken off in between entrances and exits. One suggestion though.....if you are purchasing warmers for the theatre, black is not always the best choice. Often warmers are thrown from the wings and black sweaters and such blend in very well with the black painted floors, black walls and black wings. Then often they are lost forever and the dancer is frozen again. So if shopping for the theatre you may want to look at some color options besides just black.
