Dance Exercise Workout
Dancing Improves Cardio Fitness
Dancing can be just as good as jogging as
a way to improve cardio-aerobic fitness. Studies show that dancer heart
rates are often within their ‘exercise benefit zone’ (60 to
85 percent of estimated maximum heart rate) after doing the jive, rock
'n roll, samba, or swing dances. Many Olympic athletes incorporate dance
workouts into their fitness programs for better balance, alignment and
flexibility.
How Dancing Helps Weight Loss
By improving cardiovascular fitness, sustained
dancing helps us to lose weight by burning extra calories. In addition,
it tones the lower body, especially the calves, thighs, buttocks, abdomen
and hips. Some dance moves such as swing dancing also work the triceps,
biceps and pectoral muscles.
How Many Calories Does Dancing Burn?
How many calories you burn when dancing depends
on the type of dance chosen. For example, 30 minutes of ballroom dancing
burns about 100 calories, aerobic dance burns about 200 calories, modern
dance burns about 150 calories and country line dancing about 150 calories.
[This is based on a 150-pound woman. If you weigh more, you’ll burn
extra calories; if you weigh less, you’ll burn fewer calories.]
Health Benefits of Dance Exercise
A dance workout is beneficial in many ways:
- It improves posture and body alignment.
- It helps stretch the muscles.
- It boosts flexibility and stamina.
- Dance benefits the cardiovascular and respiratory system.
Dancing - How To Start
If you want to get fit or lose weight by
dancing, find a beginners class in your area, or learn at home with a
dance video (and a partner!). Some dances are easy to learn, but if you
are not very fit, try starting with the fox trot, or waltz. Take it slow
as you learn the steps. You may not feel that you are burning calories,
but within weeks of learning the correct steps, you’ll be burning
lots of energy and body fat as you whiz around the dance floor.
Dance Exercise Videos/DVDs
Dance videos and DVDs are an easy quick way
to learn the basic dance techniques and movements. Whether your goal is
weight loss, body sculpting, toning or waistline reduction, dance exercise
videos can help you achieve the results you want. Latin Dances, Hip Hop,
Jazz, Belly Dancing, Modern Dance, Salsa Exercise Videos are particularly
popular. Expect to pay in the region of $10 for VHS and $15 for DVD.
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About Exercise and Fitness Programs
Calorie Intake
For information about the calorie content
of popular food and drinks, please visit: Calories
in Food
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