Ballet isn't just for small children. Plenty of adults take up ballet classes later in life, and there are a lot of good reasons to do so. Apart from all the obvious physical benefits, people who do ballet often feel calmer and more confident, and being an adult beginner, you're likely to be more dedicated than younger learners.

If you've decided to take the plunge and get started learning ballet, you might be feeling a bit apprehensive. Being prepared helps to calm your nerves, so make sure you get yourself ready for that first lesson by following these tips.

Get kitted out

When you go to your first ballet class, it's important that you're dressed appropriately. If your clothes aren't suitable, you'll run into problems and won't be able to progress very easily.

Fortunately, this doesn't necessarily mean you need to be dressed in full, traditional ballet clothing, with tights and a leotard. As long as you can move freely and easily, you should be just fine.

For a lot of people, this means ordinary workout clothes work well, like sweatpants and a loose T-shirt, or perhaps a pair of yoga pants and a vest top. The key thing is freedom of movement.

You might be reluctant to invest in a pair of ballet shoes if you're not sure you'll be dancing long-term, so ask the school if you can borrow or hire a pair.

Understand what to expect

In a beginners' class, most of the learners will be roughly at the same level. While some people there may have been doing ballet a bit longer, you won't be pushed too far when you're starting out.

Most introductory classes will consist of a warm-up followed by a range of simple movements to give you a feel of what ballet is like. It won't be a serious, strict atmosphere, and you should expect to have fun.

Begin your own exercise routine

It helps if you can start increasing your flexibility in your own time, and it's never too early to begin. Exercises like yoga are very helpful in this respect, and unlike ballet, yoga is easy to do at home. There are plenty of instructional videos online that you can access for free.

Light cardio exercise like jogging or even just brisk walking also helps you increase your stamina and general fitness.

Find out if there's anything else you need to know

Contact your ballet school in advance to find out everything you need to know, in case there are extra items you should bring. This helps avoid any surprises on the day and will make you less apprehensive beforehand.