Let’s Dance! 5 Dance-Based Workouts to Try
There’s no question that music gets you moving, and that dancing burns calories. Take advantage of both these motivators to see if a dance-based fitness class is for you.
And by the way, dance fitness classes are for everyone, old and young, all genders, and even those convinced they have two left feet. Try out a new style for a great workout and a lot of fun.
1. Zumba
With its mix of salsa, mambo and hip-hop rhythms and emphasis on fun, zumba has become extremely popular, with zumba classes offered at pretty much every gym, fitness club and recreation center. This is a good one to start with if you like a strong beat and high-energy environment. This program combines choreography from hip-hop, samba, salsa, mambo, and more into a high-energy dance workout set to motivating music.
2. Barre
Inspired by the rigor and challenge of ballet, barre workouts use the traditional wooden rail to enable isometric moves that use your body weight as ballast. You’ll hold stamina-building positions like pliés and squats for a minute or more to work both major and smaller stabilizing muscles. Barre provides deep core strengthening and balance training as well. Barre is offered by a number of studios including the popular Bar Method and Pure Barre.
3. Line Dancing
Inspired by the crowded dance floors of country western honky-tonks and hip-hop clubs, line dancing has taken off as the latest dancercize trend. Whether you prefer a western-themed routine or something more beat-heavy, there’s a line dancing class for you; check local clubs and rec centers. If you’re nervous about not knowing the steps, get a jump-start with a home fitness routine like Country Heat.
4. Pole Dancing
Yes, that type of pole dancing, but think of these classes as more like a combination of gymnastics, aerobics and acrobatics. Fitness instructors have modified the classic burlesque routine to emphasize the most gymnastic moves, including the “fireman” in which you spin around the pole without touching the floor.
5. Bollywood
One of the newest dance trends is Bollywood-themed fitness classes, which borrow moves from the exuberant Hindi-language musical films. Combining traditional Indian folk dances with hip-hop moves and leaps borrowed from Broadway musicals, Bollywood classes will get your heart pounding as you hum along to Hindi pop songs.
