When you hear the word dancing, your mind might immediately conjure up thoughts of a crowded club and a pulsing bass beat. But that’s not the only kind of dance out there. Dance is any motion that people do to music. It can be carried out by yourself or with others. Dancing is a great way to have fun, meet new people, and stay in shape. With so many different types of dance and styles, you can try something new every day. A lot of people also choose dancing for fitness.
Dance can help with balance and flexibility, strengthen your heart and lungs, tone your muscles and burn calories. It’s also low impact on your joints.
Some types of dance are slow and gentle, while others are fast-paced and energetic. You don’t need any special equipment or clothing, just shoes that support your feet and allow you to move freely.
If you’re new to exercise or want to improve your general fitness, dancing is a great way to get active.
Types of dance
There are lots of different types of dance classes available all over Australia that teaches a range of styles. These include:
- Salsa
- Bollywood
- Ballet
- Hip hop
- Jazz
- Ballroom
- Folk dancing
Dancing for fitness is common now, but it can also be a fun way to bond with friends, family or your partner. It’s also a great way to socialize and meet new people who share your passion for dance.
The health benefits of dancing include:
- Increased muscle strength, endurance and motor fitness.
- Increased aerobic fitness.
- Improved muscle tone and strength.
- Weight management.
- Stronger bones and reduced risk of osteoporosis.
- Better coordination, agility and flexibility.
- Improved balance and spatial awareness.
- Increased physical confidence.
- Improved mental functioning (e.g., memory).
- Improved general and psychological wellbeing.
Dancing is one of the most enjoyable ways to exercise whether you’re doing it on your own or in a group class or at a party or nightclub with friends. The health benefits of dancing are not only physical – but dancing can also improve your mental well-being by helping you relax, boosting your self-esteem and providing an opportunity for creative expression through movement.
Dancing is a whole-body workout that’s actually fun. It combines cardio, muscle conditioning, balance training, and stretching all into one activity. And there are so many different styles of dance out there that anyone can find something they like.
It burns calories
All dancing requires movement — even if you’re just standing in place — so it burns calories. How many depends on your weight, the style of dance, and how intensely you’re doing it. For example:
Salsa dancing for 40 minutes burns about 240 calories if you weigh 125 pounds or 340 calories if you weigh 185 pounds.
Jazzercise for 30 minutes burns about 210 calories if you weigh 125 pounds or 300 calories if you weigh 185 pounds.
Ballroom dancing (like the waltz) for 30 minutes burns about 165 calories if you weigh 125 pounds or 350 calories if you weigh 185 pounds.
You can learn more about food health and fitness on the web.
