NEWS

Dance Your Way to Fitness

Jun 21, 2021 By: Amanda Capritto

Many people struggle to keep up with an exercise routine because they find traditional exercise boring. Squats, push-ups, and deadlifts simply don’t bring them excitement or joy.

The truth is, fitness doesn’t have to be so structured. Fitness can be spontaneous and fun — it doesn’t have to look like three sets of 10 with timed rest intervals. Dancing is one great way to make fitness fun. Everyone likes to dance, even if they don’t want to admit it or feel they aren’t good at it.

Humans were meant to move, and dancing is a natural way to do it! Plus, you can dance anywhere. Ahead, learn about 10 benefits of dancing that’ll convince you to add dance fitness classes to your workout routine.

Cardiovascular Health

Busting a move is a great way to get your heart rate up. Dancing brings all the same cardiovascular benefits as walking, jogging, or interval training.

Endurance

Dance fitness classes can be as short as 30 minutes or up to an hour. Whichever type of class you choose, moving and shaking for half an hour or more will undoubtedly improve your endurance over time.

Coordination, Balance, and Stability

Dancing involves moving in all planes of motion, sometimes in multiple planes simultaneously. You’ll rotate, flex, extend, move forward, and move back. This type of comprehensive movement improves balance and stability.

Mind-to-Muscle Connection

When you first try dance fitness, you might feel like a baby giraffe, unsure how, exactly, to move your body. You’ll have to think hard about some movements and practice your rhythm. Over time, however, you’ll start to move naturally and fluidly thanks to your newfound mind-muscle connection.

Social Wellness

You might meet your new best friend in a dance fitness class. Attending classes can double as your workout session and social time — and it’s way healthier than going to happy hour.

Boosted Mood

Dancing is extremely expressive, and it may help you release some stress or other uncomfortable emotions. In fact, research shows that dancing can relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety. This doesn’t come as a surprise considering the plethora of research proving exercise is good for emotional health.

Flexibility

From high kicks to hip circles, you’ll find yourself amazed at the flexibility and mobility you gain through dancing. Your joints will naturally find deeper ranges of motion as you progress.

Brain Health

There’s no shortage of research showing that exercise is good for your brain. Studies show that certain areas of the brain, including those related to memory, planning, and critical thinking, can be strengthened through exercise like dance.

Strength and Power

Some types of dance, such as Latin dance, involve explosive movements that strengthen your muscles and teach you to use power from your hips, glutes, hamstrings, and core.

Energy

Dancing is invigorating and the fast-paced music is energizing. You’ll feel refreshed and rejuvenated every time you leave a dance fitness session.

Do You Have to Be Good at Dancing to Do Dance Classes?

There are no prerequisites to joining dance fitness classes at World Gym. All of our dance classes are led by experienced and qualified instructors who will show you the ropes. It may take some time to learn the moves or get accustomed to the flow of the class, but you’ll be a natural in no time.

There’s only one skill you need to get the most out of dance fitness classes: Allow yourself to indulge in the act of dancing. Get out of your head and remember that it’s not about being the best. Everyone’s there for the same reason — to move in a way that feels good.

Learn about the dance fitness classes available at your World Gym location.