The second season of the Spanish show “Dancing with the Stars,” hosted by Jesús Vázquez and Valeria Mazza, is steadily winning over the audience, as confirmed by high television ratings. The globally recognized format brings together celebrities and professional dancers on the same stage. They compete in spectacular routines—from lively salsa and passionate tango to classic waltz and modern contemporary. This year’s cast features standout participants such as Anabel Pantoja, Manu Tenorio, and Bárbara Rey.
However, behind the spotlight, loud music, and applause lies grueling physical work, which is beginning to take a toll on the contestants. As the tournament progresses, falls, sprains, and muscle pain become almost routine. This is a direct result of the demanding standards set for participants, as professional dance requires not only technique and artistry, but also tremendous endurance. Ignoring proper preparation leads straight to health problems.
According to an expert in the field—a former professional dancer and now fitness coach for the national competitive dance team—the situation is cause for concern. It’s surprising that by the third episode of the show, around eight celebrities had already reported pain. This is a direct result of lacking the specialized physical preparation required for a discipline like competitive dance. The expert believes that with a targeted training program tailored both to the demands of dance and specific choreography, many of these issues could have been avoided. Moreover, good physical condition directly contributes to improved dance technique.
There are already plenty of examples. Jorge González performed in the very first round while experiencing acute knee pain, which sent him to the hospital after the broadcast. He wore a brace and was already feeling discomfort during rehearsals. Later, the judges pointed out that he needed to work on his posture in the European program. The expert notes that this takes time, but careful work on the shoulders and shoulder blades could yield significant improvement.
Anabel Pantoja has suffered from foot pain from the very beginning, forcing her to change shoes backstage. The judges have also urged her to improve her footwork. According to an expert, strength training and neuromotor stimulation could help her achieve the progress that is expected of her. Nona Sobo couldn’t hold back tears from pain during rehearsals and had to see a physiotherapist. The likely cause was the sharp and repetitive movements in the jive routine assigned to her.
The list goes on. Bárbara Rey and Blanca Romero mentioned neck pain, typical for the standard program, but exacerbated, as Bárbara admitted, by old injuries. Nerea Rodríguez complained of rib pain after performing lifts. Sara Escudero has been struggling with foot problems for several episodes now, which led her to dance in sneakers in the last round. Iago García experienced dizziness before going on stage, and Manu Tenorio shared on social media that he was dealing with tendon inflammation.
To prevent such situations, experts emphasize the importance of a comprehensive approach to training. Every session should begin with a proper warm-up. It should include a cardio segment to raise the heart rate, a mobility block for the main joints, activation of key muscle groups, and finally, drills that practice movement patterns similar to choreography elements.
Ultimately, fatigue, early mornings, hours of rehearsals, and the lack of preventive and restorative physical training become crucial factors in the onset of pain and injuries. Despite this, ‘Dancing with the Stars’ remains a vibrant show, showcasing the synergy of art, sport, and discipline. We can only hope that the participants will overcome these challenges and continue to delight viewers.
