5 Major Reasons Why You Need Dance Fitness

For many people, getting in a workout can feel like a chore, especially if you aren’t in the mood to hit the treadmill or do the same lineup of resistance machines you did yesterday.

Dance classes are rising in popularity, and for good reason. Not only are they a high-energy, cardio favorite, but they’re good for your confidence and overall fitness, from your legs and abs to your arms - and even your mind! The benefits of dancing as fitness were popularized in the 1970s and 1980s by the instructional workout videos of Jacki Sorensen, Jane Fonda, and Richard Simmons.

There are a variety of benefits of dancing to music. It’s a fun and creative form of exercise that encourages us to have a healthier and more active lifestyle. Dance is invigorating and life-affirming, with a variety of health advantages ranging from cardio endurance to mental well-being.

Here are our top 5 reasons that dancing to music is a good exercise:

Dancing to music makes working out fun and easy.

One of the major benefits of dancing is that we can dance to our favorite songs on repeat or experiment with an instrumental playlist. You don’t need to learn complex choreography or advanced techniques that take years to master. Instead, most dance fitness lessons incorporate simple moves derived from popular dance forms. Dance fitness courses are an excellent chance to try out various dance genres, such as salsa, Zumba, hip-hop, and more. While it may take a few courses to become acquainted with the moves, you’ll pick them up eventually and be dancing your heart out in no time.

Dancing builds muscle and cardio endurance.

Any dance fitness experience will quickly teach you that fun and fitness are not mutually exclusive. The aim is to get you moving, which will help you improve your cardiovascular endurance. Your cardio system will gradually improve, and you’ll discover that you can dance for longer periods without feeling out of breath. Dancing to music is a great exercise as it tones and shapes your muscles with specific high and low-impact workouts, unlike other cardio exercises like cycling or jogging, which only target particular sections of your body.

Most dance moves vary between engaging your arms, legs, and glutes, as well as your core. By extending your leg and arm muscles outward and upwards in all directions, you can prevent muscle tightness and improve balance, flexibility, and muscle tone! Not to mention improving your coordination and rhythm, both of which are skills that can apply to other areas of your life.

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Dancing lowers stress and increases confidence

Dancing to music will not only make your body feel fitter and healthier, but it will also reduce mental tension and stress. Shaking and sweating to upbeat music is therapeutic and can also help with social anxiety. Dance is more than just exercise; it’s an art and a skill. Dance is a form of self-expression, and that’s because dance is all about you! Your brain releases neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine when you move your body. These “happy brain” chemicals can help relieve stress and lift your mood.

Dancing improves coordination, balance, and body awareness

You may find it difficult to keep up with the instructor the first few times you try dance fitness. This is quite normal; everyone has to start somewhere! Your brain and body will adjust over time. As you continue dancing, the movements that might have been difficult at first will start to become simple and intuitive. You won’t miss your footing because your brain is constantly adapting. According to a study, dancing changes the structure of your brain, particularly in areas associated with motor control and communication. So it comes as no surprise that one of the major benefits of dancing is it helps improve your coordination, balance, and overall body awareness.

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Dancing helps build social connections

Taking an online dance class will introduce you to a community of dancers from around the world who strive for the same goal: to take care of their health and fitness. You will find common ground with your classmates by working hard and making it through the class together, especially if you take the same classes each week. These friendships can help you enjoy your dance workout while also motivating you to do your best.

Conclusion

If you want to lose weight, then dance fitness is a great way to achieve this goal. Did you know that you can burn up to 500 calories with a 30-min dance fitness workout? It takes calories to swivel your hips, pump your arms, and tap your feet – dancing to music is a serious workout!

If you are looking for a place to get started, then why not book a lesson with one of CommonTime’s professional dancers? Not only will it help you achieve your goals, but is also a great way to connect with new people from across the globe who are on similar paths.

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