Performing on stage with Beyoncé would likely be a dream come true for most dancers. She is at the height of her career and puts on captivating shows. Still, it is not an easy job. She joked that her backup dancers always hope she’ll come into rehearsal late. Once she arrives, the work day gets more difficult.

Beyoncé said her backup dancers wince when she walks into rehearsal 

While preparing for a tour, Beyoncé commits to grueling days of rehearsals. She said they required so much effort that they count as her workout routine.  

“I still do all the boring things that everyone else does in regular workouts like squats and the treadmill,” she told Billboard. “But I mainly get in shape from doing the choreography during those long 12-hour rehearsals for two months before a tour.”

While there have been reports that she runs on a treadmill in heels to prepare for a tour, Beyoncé denied this. She does rehearse in heels, though.

“No, I don’t run on a treadmill in heels. That’s a bit extreme,” she said. “But I do practice my choreography in heels. And I have a rule that when I have my heels on, everyone has to have their heels on too.”

The rehearsals are brutally hard. Often, her backup dancers groan when she walks in because they know she’ll have them working long and hard hours.

“Sometimes the dancers are like, ‘Oh, God, we hope Beyoncé comes in late,’ because I’ll go all day,” she said. “And in the end, I’ll have blisters and my toes will have bruises. It’s really hard sometimes.”

Beyoncé shared how she and her backup dancers prepare for a show 

On the day of a show, Beyoncé follows the same ritual. She takes some time to herself before focusing on togetherness with her dancers. 

“I don’t have any crazy rituals beforehand,” she said, adding, “I get in maybe two-and-a-half to three hours before each show. I do my makeup on tour myself and get my hair done. Then we all come together, say a prayer and do a little stretch.”

She said she has a solid work ethic

When Beyoncé is working, she gives it her all. Thankfully, she puts the same amount of effort into relaxing.

“I’m an all-or-nothing type of woman,” she said. “Either I’m doing absolutely nothing and relaxing — reading a book, sitting by the ocean and not answering any questions — or else I’m hands-on and giving 100%, working really hard.”

After she takes some time to relax, she’s ready to jump back into work.

“I was just on vacation for three weeks after touring for a couple of months. I have to schedule time to rest, rejuvenate and get inspired to work again. Now I’m definitely rested and thank God I had the rest — that’s the only way I would be able to get through a week like this. After three weeks without giving any answers or approvals and no performing, I came back like, ‘Yes! I’m ready to work!’ [laughs]”

She has said her ideal vacation is spending time on a boat.