Dance Your Way to a Fit and Healthy Body

The dancing bug has hit our nation because of successful TV shows such as Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance. There has been an increase in the number of enrollments for dance classes around the country and it's not because of the pretty clothes the girls wear or good looking men. Many people are taking up dance classes for health reasons and in order to loose weight.

You can see the difference between the before and after photos of celebrities in 'Dancing with the Stars'. Many of these people don't start in the best of shape but after the show is over they look amazing. Currently many gyms have started offering people dance classes as part of their workout programs, and some offer them for free. There are many who can not afford ballroom dancing classes but there are still many forms of dancing to choose from such as line dancing, ballet, hip hop, jazz and belly dancing to name a few. You can also rent DVDs that teach various forms dancing. You should however consult our doctor before you take up dancing lessons as you would with any other form of exercise.

There are other benefits to dancing besides it being fun, a great way to meet people and expressing yourself. Dancing helps you in flexibility and coordination, stretches and tones muscles as well as testing your stamina and endurance. Stamina and endurance are for those who are dancing for more than recreation purposes. There are also low level dance routine which are designed for senior citizens and those who are not as active called 'chair dancing'.

Just as with any other strenuous exercises, dancing can leave you with bumps and bruises, especially if you are a beginner. Spending a lot of time on the dance floor can be very tiring and leave you with muscle cramps and sore feet, so be prepared for them. You also have to ensure that you stretch before and after your dance workout routines. Another important factor to keep in mind is to be well hydrated so keep drinking water or energy drinks between intervals.

Besides being fun and relaxing, dancing can bring together friends and family. Learning a new dance can be exhilarating and the feeling at the end of a dancing workout routine is like none other. Although you may never be on national TV like the celebrities, it is a great experience.