| It looks intimidating, doesn't it? That room at the | | | | Don't think about right and left too much - that can |
| gym where they have classes withnames like Cardio | | | | get confusing. Just imitate/ mirror what the instructor |
| Kickboxing, Step Funk and Pump 'n' Jump. As you've | | | | is doing to the best of your ability. Don't think about |
| walked by,you've watched the exercisers out of the | | | | it too much. Thinking gets in the way of doing. The |
| corner of your eye - it looks like loads offun. But you | | | | less you think, the better off you will be. |
| know you could never do that - you trip over | | | | 5. Once the class has a basic step down, the |
| yourself walking from the | | | | instructor will usually try to change it a little, add |
| Stairmaster to the treadmill, both of which are | | | | something fancy like a special kick or a different way |
| getting really boring. Well,guess what? If for a few | | | | of stepping or - yikes! - a turn. If you are an absolute |
| minutes you can stop telling yourself that you can'tdo | | | | beginner at aerobics, this may throw you at first. |
| cardio dance, maybe - just maybe - you'll discover | | | | Don't worry - just keep doing the basic step the |
| that you actually can. | | | | way you were originally taught. Or if you do try the |
| Granted, if you seriously have a problem moving and | | | | new way and you get lost, go back to the basic |
| counting to four at the sametime, one count for | | | | move. Always, if you get confused go back to the |
| each step, then cardio dance is probably not for you. | | | | original step until you get your bearings. |
| If you cancount to eight while moving, then there's a | | | | 6. Instructors will often add arm moves to your foot |
| chance you may actually become good atit. Can you | | | | moves. Consider those optional for now. Arm moves |
| step-touch? Meaning, can you take a step to the side | | | | are good because they add intensity and help get |
| and bring yourother foot to meet it? Can you march | | | | your heart rate up, especially if your arms remain at |
| in place? Can you step forward with one footand | | | | or above heart level. But if you're starting off, they |
| then raise the other knee? Can you step forward | | | | can be really confounding. Try them only when you |
| with one foot and, whilestanding on that foot, raise | | | | feel really confident with what your feet are doing. |
| the other knee three times? If you can do that, | | | | 7. Your cardio class will often end with a bit of |
| thenyou've already performed a cardio dance move - | | | | strength training. Do the moves mindfully. With many |
| it's called a "repeater" (a ratherobvious name for | | | | of these classes, you're only using light weights, or |
| repeating the same knee lift more than once). It only | | | | body resistance, so you must focus on the muscles |
| gets betterfrom here on. | | | | being worked, or you won't get much of a workout. |
| Here are some tips that will help you make the most | | | | And if you can't do those last couple of crunches, |
| out of your cardio danceexperience: | | | | don't sweat it. It's not a competition. |
| | | | 8. If you get one of those cheerleading instructors |
| 1. Dress properly, including and especially your | | | | who wants you to yell and scream and you aren't |
| footwear! The right shoes can make your cardio | | | | the yelling, screaming type - then don't! Seriously, |
| class a joy; the wrong ones can cause injury. With | | | | vocal participation is not necessary. Let everyone |
| cardio dance, you are moving sideways quite a bit, as | | | | else look silly. |
| opposed to forward, like you do when you walk or | | | | 9. If you're really shy about doing cardio dance |
| run. So you will need shoes made especially for cardio | | | | around a crowd of people, then try some videos at |
| dance. If you don't want to invest in shoes | | | | home first. There are loads of cardio dance DVDs |
| specifically for cardio dance right away, at the very | | | | out there for all levels of fitness. Just make sure to |
| least make sure you have cross-trainers - that way, | | | | read the reviews first to make sure they are |
| if the classes don't work out for you, you can use | | | | appropriate for your beginner's level. |
| them for other activities. If you're a woman, make | | | | 10. Here's the real beauty of working out to cardio |
| sure you're wearing an athletic bra that gives you a | | | | dance videos - you can pause the routine and |
| lot of support, even if you're doing a low- impact | | | | backtrack as many times as you want until you get a |
| class - a jogging bra, at the very least. You really | | | | step down. The first couple of times, accept the fact |
| don't want to be flopping around - it's uncomfortable, | | | | that you may not get too much of a workout |
| and if you're more than a B cup, it's downright painful. | | | | because you are learning the moves (part of the |
| 2. When come to class for the first time, show up | | | | enjoyment should come from learning, really). But |
| early and let the instructor know you're a beginner. | | | | after that, you should be fine. One caveat - be |
| That way he or she can take some extra time with | | | | careful of doing some moves on carpet, especially |
| you or at least make sure you're in a spot where | | | | anything where you're leaping around, turning or |
| you can see what's going on. | | | | sliding your feet on the ground. And make sure |
| 3. Start off with a simple class, something with a | | | | you've cleared some room - it's no fun to step-kick |
| name like "Beginning Aerobics" or "Hi-Lo I." Don't even | | | | your coffee table. |
| think about the "Tae-Yo-Fusion-Funk-Pump III" class | | | | If you keep coming back to your cardio dance |
| yet! Go as basic as possible. When you're starting to | | | | classes, the time will come wheneverything falls into |
| get bored of basic, then try something more | | | | place and you feel like you're lighter than air. Enjoy it |
| advanced or adventuresome, like a funk class or a | | | | - thatfeeling of exhilaration is the dancer's high, and |
| Step class. | | | | there's nothing quite like it. |
| 4. Follow the instructor as if you're looking at a mirror. | | | | |