Dance As Exercise a Fun Way to Get Fit

Judging by the ratings of Dancing With The Stars, orof the effects of dancing by offering a 12-week
Britain's counterpart Strictly Come Dancing, time onseries of ballroom dancing lessons to a group of
the dance floor has become very popular and dancenon-active adults.
as exercise might be just the bit of fun thatThe average age of the 27 subjects was 53; most,
everyone needs to stick with the aerobic workouts22, were females. They attended lessons once a
known to be so very good for your health. Twoweek for two hours, all led by a qualified instructor.
recent studies, one out of Italy, the other conductedThe dances the subjects learned and performed
in the United Kingdom, suggest this might be the wayincluded the tango, fox trot and cha-cha.
to go, and both were presented at the most recent"Learning to dance can be a fun, social, local and
annual meeting of the American College of Sportsfriendly way to enjoy low-intensity physical activity
Medicine in Seattle.and skill learning," explains the author of the second
The Italian project found that salsa dancing improvedof the two studies, Stephen Cobley who is a senior
cardiovascular fitness, while the UK work discoveredlecturer at Leeds Metropolitan University in the United
that the less strenuous, but still great fun, fox trot orKingdom.
tango steps added two thousand steps to aDancing means you don't have to go to the gym or
subject's daily walking total.get all hot and sweaty to get the cardio benefit of a
Ten thousand steps are recommended by expertsworkout.
for good health, but every little bit helps, specially asIt helps strengthen bones and muscles without
you get older.hurting joints, it tones your body, helps with posture
The Italian researchers looked at lively salsa dancing,and balance, improves your stamina and flexibility,
measuring the heart rate and oxygen levels inreduces stress, wards off potential problems like
dancers who were doing the dance either duringdiabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease,
lessons, at a night club or doing a group dance knownosteoporosis and even depression.
as the rueda de casino.As you move your feet, you want to keep an eye
This work involved eleven pairs of dancers, of anon your heart rate however, so that you're sure the
average age of 36 years old.dancing is intense enough.
The maximum heart rate of the dancers went upIt's also important not to take away the benefits of
58-75% and their oxygen levels went up 41-56%,the workout by consuming high calorie drinks or
depending on where the subjects danced.snacks while you're out.
Dancing at the nightclub was the most aerobic of theBefore you lace up those dancing shoes be sure that
three places, though all increased heart rate andyou've spoken to your doctor about what type of
oxygen levels.activity is right for you, especially if you've been
"Salsa is a spirited dance," study author Gian Pietroinactive for a long time.
Emerenziani, from the University of the Studies ofIf your doctor agrees that being active is safe for
Rome, in Italy points out. "With this form of dance,you, dance as fitness - square dancing, swing dancing,
you are clearly getting a workout. All three types ofline dancing, folk dancing, ballroom dancing, belly
salsa in our study, practiced frequently, will have adancing, salsa, flamenco, jazz, modern, clogging and
positive impact on health and fitness."contra - can be good for your health, and your
Taking their cue from the popularity of the danceoverall fitness levels, not to mention your social life.
shows, a team of UK researchers conducted a study