Face it - clanging and banging hurts. Not only that, but some urologists theorize that all the cumulative micro-traumas men's reproductive organs (and the associated plumbing) endure through the years are a leading cause of infertility. Tights alone don't provide enough support to keep you from really feeling a badly landed grande jete'. Movements into sous-sous or even just 5th position can crush a testicle flopping around between your legs. It's also considered really bad form to go around poking, prodding, and adjusting yourself in dance class or onstage. Bottom line - you need to wear something that keeps everything under tight control.
A dance belt is specifically designed for this purpose. By pulling everything up from in between your legs, it gets your private parts out of the danger zone and immobilized against bouncing. Of course they've got to go somewhere, and that's why you end up with that distinctive bulge in front.
Tights don't offer a lot of extra room to hide in. You mention that they prominently display what are normally your private parts. Very true and the reason wearing tights is such a frightening concept to many men and boys. A dance belt just smooths and controls what is already there. You should wear a dance belt for ballet even if you decide to wear sweatpants to class instead fo tights
No one dance belt fits everyone. It might take you a couple tries to find the best one for you. The Capezio model #26 is a good place to start. They are the easiest ones to find in your local or internet dance emporium, inexpensive, long lasting, and - at least in my opinion - the most comfortable. They are a blend of cotton and lycra. Since you are sseking to minimize the bulge, the Capezio quilted model is either the best or the worst for you. Best because it rounds everything into a Ken-Doll round mound, worst because the quilting has the same effect as extra padding down there. The MStevens model #1007 is a sleek nylon/lycra design that is a bit more flexible and stretchy in front but has a really thin thong that might take some serious getting used to.
Hope that answers your "serious dance belt question" in an equally serious manner. The alias of Dr. Dancebelt was created to answer those questions too intimate for many of us to be comfortable talking about over a beer.
>This is a serious question about dance belts. I don't want this posting to lead to an endless sream of stupid replies!!! I know what a dance belt is, I know how to wear them. However, I'm looking to answers to two key questions......>First, why are dance belts neccessary? I find it a little embarrassing to have what is normally private, be so publicly displayed. I've read some wear that by having the penis in the up position, it reduces the chance of injury????>Second, I would like a sampling of opinions as what make, or model of dance belt is best??? I will be starting ballet lessons for the first time in a week or so. I'm 38, and I'm looking forward to enjoying the artform that ballet is, and I'm curious to see if ballet can help me get into shape. I'd love to hear from other guys who've statred ballet at a late age. [/i]