A Dancer’s Secrets to Keeping Fit

By Caitlyn Kresky | Posted Jan. 8, 2026

Montgomery Pilates instructor Caitlyn Kresky has a deep-rooted foundation in classical ballet and recently completed a professional career with several companies including Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Columbia Classical Ballet, and Roxey Ballet.

For those with new year resolutions to improve their health, Kresky offers six tips for keeping in shape.

Build strength

Dancers develop supportive strength through bodyweight exercises and deep core engagement, improving balance, posture, and stability from the inside out.

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Caitlyn Kresky dances across Nassau Street in Princeton. She teaches Pilates in Skillman.

Move with purpose

Every movement has intention. Prioritize alignment, precision, and quality over speed and amount of reps creates strength.

Let awareness lead

Tuning into how your body feels encourages consistency over burnout, helping you stay strong, capable, and energized over time.

Train with intelligent variety

Blending cardio, weight-lifting, mobility, and low-impact strength conditioning keeps the body responsive and resilient. Practices such as Pilates complement dance and other training by supporting muscles without overloading them.

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Respect recovery as training

Rest, sleep, hydration, and gentle restorative movement are essential for maintaining strength, preventing injury, and moving well long-term.

Fuel for movement

Nourish your body with balanced meals that support energy, recovery, and sustained performance rather than extreme dieting or restriction.

Caitlyn Kresky teaches at Premier Pilates in Skillman.