Dance: A Fun Workout For Young And Old

Rachel Sturtz wrote a fun article on “dance fever” for Prevention magazine (April 2011).  I can’t dance.  I really can’t dance, but the author makes it sound very tempting. Unfortunately I am rhythm challenged and any footwork more complicated than the four steps used in Leslie Sansone’s walking videos are beyond my capabilities.  Still, if you could see the size of the Zumba classes offered by the YMCA you would know that dance fever is contagious and very popular.

What is it about dance?  It is so much fun that you don’t even realize that you are sculpting and toning your core, your thighs and your waistline.  This shouldn’t be a surprise. You already know that a good beat can get you to tap your toes and swing your hips. The best thing about dancing for exercise is that you aren’t counting reps or watching the clock.

Dance can be a total body workout.  Dance gives you the benefits of a run or a session on the elliptical, and you still burn calories.  You can tone nearly every muscle in your body, improve your balance and stimulate your brain.  There are gentle beginner classes that are geared toward people who have two left feet (or so they say, but they haven’t met me), or are kind to achy joints.  You just need to find the right style for you.  The author examines five different styles:

• Latin Dancing uses quick, sharp steps, lots of hip action and peppy music (salsa, meringue and cha-cha)…many require a partner, except for the very popular Zumba.  Latin dances are set to a fast beat and ensure a high calorie burn.  If you have a sexy wiggle you will love this one, and it results in a great workout for your abs from twisting, pulling and constant back and forth movements.
• Masala Bhangra, an Indian classic that targets the muscles of the upper arms, shoulders and upper back.  Your arms do a lot of the dancing.  All of the overhead action raises your heart rate, but you do what you can.  It is ideal for all levels.
• Tap Dancing.  We have some very good senior tap dancing groups in our community.   Shoes have metal plates on the heels and forefoot, which gives it the tap-tap rhythm.  There is less coordination between arms and legs and only a little hip action.  The author says it is actually easier than it looks.  The muscles targeted are the calves and shins and even at the beginner level you will be doing enough of the hops and jumps to strengthen bones.  It has less impact than running so is a joint friendly activity.
• Jazz targets the front of the thighs.  Moves are a blend of sharp kicks and sultry slides and result in a combination of cardio, strength and power moves.
• Ballet is probably out of the reach for most of us, but it actually requires tremendous power and control.  It demands more commitment but it increases flexibility from head to toe and is a more demanding workout than most other dances styles. 

If you want to explore different dance styles you can find do-at-home videos to learn basic moves before moving on to a class.  Don’t be shy!

 

Comments

[frank khalid]

Great webpage! I dont imagine Ive seen every one of the angles of this theme the way in which youve pointed them out. Youre a accurate star, a rock star guy. Youve got a great deal to say and know so much about the subject that i think you ought to just teach a class about it

[Jo]

Let me grab a dance video and I will get on with it. Your article just inspired me(Though I had been told many times that I have 2 left feet).

[Tyson Sieger]

Dancing is indeed a great exercise. There's also the fact that it can be pretty fun to do. Like singing. Once you start to practice and get better at it, dancing adds a bit of spice in your daily activities. It's a fun activity to do!