DDR in apartments

[contex]

Hello, I was just wondering if any of you live in an apartment building, and if so, how do you handle neighbors complaining about you stomping on their ceiling (during reasonable hours only)? Thanks

[abrannan]

Ahhh, the eternal question. Unfortunately, there are no easy answers. A lot of it depends on your neighbors, and how accomodating they're willing to be. The first, and most important, thing to do is to talk with your neighbors. Find out what their habits are, and when they're less likely to be home so you can play without disturbing them.

The other key thing to do is to find a way to deaden the sound form your mats. I recommend an ignition set up this way:

Ignition
3'x3' Sheet of plywood (1/2" or thicker)
Several folded blankets or towels
Another sheet of plywood
More blankets/towels

The blankets/towels will absorb a good amount of the impact of the, while the plywood serves to spread out the force evenly (and still provide a sturdy surface for playing). That should minimize the amount of "stomping" that is heard below. Of course, your neighbor may still complain, but at least you can show that you're making an effort to keep things as quiet as possible.

[psisar]

I live on the second floor of my building,a nd unfortunately my downstairs neighbour is a jerk. He's sent my super up to my apartment before when he would get tired of banging on the ceiling, and is unwilling to budge on anything. I only DDR at reasonable hours, but it seems that no matter what time I dance he complains. He told my super that he does shift work and he can't sleep because of the noise I make, which I call BS on since a) I know he's on welfare and doesn't work and b) if he's at home all hours of the day, why do I still get complaints when he's supposibly working?

/ramble

What I've tried is putting an Ignitition underneath my usable Ignition, and just training myself to step lightly. If your building isn't soundproof and you have whiny neighbours, you mat be out of luck.

[sakura]

i dont live in an appartment but i use little foam squares

[contex]

Okay, thanks a lot for the advice. I'll do what I can to deaden the sound. What I did do when he complained (to me in person, which I appreciate) is I asked him when it would be an okay time for it, and I also didn't try to explain DDR (I told him I was exercising). I bet if I make an effort to reduce the sound too he'll appreciate it, or at least I hope he will :/

[Nuggets]

This all really makes me hope that I don't get an upstairs apartment when I go to college and move out of the house, because I DDR during prime study hours at night. O.O

[The Charming Canuck]

Well I luckily live on the bottom floor of the apartments I lived in but unfortunaly I had a nosey neighbor who I could have cared less about pleasing because there was no pleasing this beastly neighbor. If it was me I would just talk to the managment and say I have a specific work ou troutine and I do it during resonable hours of the day so if you start to get complaints you know why and I shouldn't have to walk on egg shells because they dont want to bend a little for an hour. As far as I'm concerned they can stay fat below me but I will not stand for that I want to be healthy and if they don't want ot deal with a health freak during the day then they can move out!! I had a really bad experience living in an apartment if ya couldn't tell. There is no pleasing apartment neighbors.
WINGS

[The Charming Canuck]

Sorry again Xstatic for the negative post but again bad experiences.
WINGS

[stillakidatheart]

i lived in a trailer and the neighbors said my son was playing his bass to loud,LOL it wasnt the bass it was his feet hitting the pad so we put i heavy blanket under it made sure it was level and it assorbed almost all the sound could no longer hear it.