The key to any successful exercise program is to find an activity that
is enjoyable and easy to stick with; many people enjoy dancing because
it doesn't really feel like exercise at all. It brings all the physical
benefits of any other form of exercise but is also a way to have fun
and meet new people.
One of the great advantages of dancing as a form of exercise is the
variety. From quick, lively forms of dance, such as salsa and swing
through to elegant, graceful waltzes or exotic flamenco, you are bound
to find a style to suit your taste and ability.
The primary physical benefit of dance is that it provides a fun,
aerobic workout, helping condition the heart and lungs - dancing can
burn as many calories as walking or riding a bike. Many people who find
it difficult to summon up the enthusiasm for step class or gym session
will consider the rhythm and choreography of dance a far more tempting
option.
Dancing for any length of time requires strength, balance and
coordination, so it is an excellent way to improve poise and stability.
This is especially important as we grow older, since good balance helps
to safeguard against falls. Another bonus is that the weight-bearing
movements strengthen the bones and muscles in your hips and legs.
There are many hundreds of distinct forms of dance originating from all
over the world. Different types of dance place emphasis on different
sorts of movement and bring their own particular benefits -
The dips, turns and side-to-side movements found in dances
such as jive and salsa are good for the range of motion in your muscles
and joints. Belly dancing particularly targets the back and pelvic
floor muscles, vital for maintaining your body's stability.
Poised, graceful techniques such as ballroom dancing and
ballet encourage coordination, balance and poise - particularly
important qualities in later life to avoid falls and fractures.
Line dancing provides a gentle cardiovascular workout that
brings similar musculoskeletal benefits to step aerobics.
Dance is suitable for all ages and levels of fitness, although
different types of dance require different levels of physical aptitude.
Most line dances, for example, have relatively simple step patterns
that are easy for beginners to learn; some types of ballroom dancing,
in contrast, can take years to master. This doesn't mean that you need
a particularly high level of fitness to start ballroom dancing classes
- much of the emphasis for beginners is on position and posture.
Energetic types of dance such as jazz and tap may require a good basic
level of fitness before you begin. Slower, more graceful dances such as
the waltz allow you to exercise at a slightly gentler pace, bringing
cardiovascular benefits without being overly strenuous. This makes them
particularly suitable for more elderly exercisers, who also benefit
from the improvements in balance and stability.
According to a report in the New England Journal of Medicine (2003),
dancing is good for your brain as well as your body. In a comparison of
11 physical activities, dancing was the only one associated with a
significant decrease in the incidence of dementia, including
Alzheimer's disease. This may be because the activity involves learning
and remembering complex steps. The positive social influence of dancing
may also play a role.
