Posted by on Sep 7, 2015 in Blogs
Many of us dance for fun, but here’s a secret about moving to a rhythm: it’s exercise! Yep, even couch potatoes can forget they’re breaking a sweat while dancing to an inspiring tune. Regular lessons and practice take dancing and the dancer to whole new levels: improving posture, grace, flexibility, strength, stamina and range of motion. The crisp, precise movements of ballroom dance encourage proper body alignment and balance, all while providing an excellent cardio workout.
Read on for a summary of just a few areas of fitness you can improve with consistent dance training.
Strength: Dancers continually develop powerful muscle groups and increase their strength. From aggressive hip-hop to seemingly effortless ballet, the foundation of dance is raw power. The precision and form demanded in dance also reinforces stabilizer muscles, which are rarely challenged in traditional exercise regimens.
Agility: Dancers are renowned for their agility– quick decisions and “light” feet are a their secret weapons. Many physical activities build agility, but few do it as well as dance. Increased reaction speed can aid your confidence and enhance your performance in other physical activities.
Endurance: Regular dance training can provide an essential cardio routine for any active person. The repetition and high level of participation required in dance lessons will boost your stamina, but the diversity of dance is more socially engaging and enjoyable than just another hour on a treadmill or exercise bike.
Durability: Strong, flexible muscles are key to injury prevention. People who expand their weekly activities to include dance classes or lessons can decrease their risk of injury and increase their athletic conditioning
Balance: Holding specific positions and strong supportive muscles both contribute to improved balance. Those trained in dance have excellent balance, allowing for greater agility and more confident movement.
Professional dancers are some of the strongest, most athletic people in the world and even NFL quarterbacks and other pro athletes include dance in their training. It sounds intimidating, but no matter your age or skill level you can unlock your inner dancer. Ballroom dancing specifically has some particular health benefits!
Curious about harnessing the health benefits of dance, but don’t know where to start? Contact us at Elite Dance Studio and we will work with you to find the right entry point into regular dance training.
