.jpg)
We got a chance to chat with Ella Titus, a professional ballerina with Miami City Ballet, about her fitness routine. A Florida native, she moved to Miami to attend MCB School full-time as a scholarship student at age 14, and was offered an apprenticeship at age 16. In 2015, Titus graduated from Miami Beach High School and joined Miami City Ballet’s corps de ballet.
We asked her about her favorite workouts and her favorite post-show treat. See all her answers below!
1) What does an average day look like for you?
"We have two types of work days - rehearsal days and performance days. Rehearsal days start with ballet class in the morning for an hour and a half followed by 6 hours of rehearsal. Performance days we have ballet class onstage, a matinee performance, a 3 hour break, then a night performance. Throughout the day I usually have physical therapy at some point or will spend some time running on the elliptical. When I get home after dancing all day it's very rare that I go out because I'm so exhausted from the day."
2) What types of cross-training do you do to prepare for the season?
"To prepare for the ballet season I have a few different types of cross training I enjoy. During quarantine I learned that cross training was very helpful for me as a dancer, so I have continued it since then. I love to do Pilates, Barry's workout, and Gyrotonic. I love any good cardio workout because I feel like it gets my stamina prepared for the performance season."
3) How long have you been dancing for?
"I've been dancing since I was 3, but I'm currently in my 7th year dancing for Miami City Ballet professionally."
4) What is your go-to pre-show meal?
"My go-to pre-show meal is steak and pasta! I need a good carb load before I perform so I have lots of energy. I also tend to be low in iron, so a good steak will make me feel ready to go for a show. I also like to have dark chocolate during intermission for a little sugar burst."
5) What is your favorite post-show treat?
"My favorite post-show treat is ice cream. I'm addicted to ice cream, and there's nothing more satisfying for me than to come home from the theater and eat a giant bowl of ice cream."
6) What is your favorite type of workout besides dance?
"My favorite type of workout besides ballet is going to Barry's bootcamp. I love running on the treadmill and how tired you get during the class. Sometimes I visualize dancing hard ballets while I'm on the treadmill running and think, "If I'm this tired now, then dancing flowers in Nutcracker will be easy!" There is also such a great community at Barry's and I have many friends who come to take classes too which is encouraging when you're absolutely dying in class!"
.jpeg)
