The idea of getting fit through dance is a growing trend. Fitness classes and videos that incorporate dance movements abound. These can be great ways to get fit if you’re looking for something more traditionally fitness-oriented and less on the creative side.
“From TRX Suspension Training Classes to shuffle/ball change tap dance steps, each person needs to find their own interest,” explained Nancy Boss, the City of Kettering’s Group Exercise coordinator and longtime dance instructor at the city’s Rosewood Arts Centre. “To move their own body to their own beat of music, to keep strong and healthy.”
With all the options out there, it can be hard to narrow it down. If you like to move with music during your workouts, it’s worth considering a more traditional-style dance program. Established forms of dance like ballet, jazz, tap, ballroom, even belly dancing, offer not only the chance for creativity and self-expression, but also a highly disciplined environment with a focus on the physical.
Benefits
All forms of dance are beneficial in increasing your fitness level. However, the type of workout you’ll get varies with each. For example, ballet may look beautiful and effortless, but is intense.
“Beautiful ballet moves of bending, plies, pirouettes and just ballet barre stretches are wonderful flexibility positions,” Boss explained. Fast-paced forms of dance like tap and jazz are great cardio – they will each get your heart rate up while you focus on mastering the steps.
Another type of traditional dance — perhaps not as common as ballet — is belly dancing, which is not only fun, but also the perfect way to improve muscle tone. “When I teach these classes as Nadeja,” Boss said, noting her belly dance stage name. “It’s safety first, working on core strength, as well as strengthening lower back exercises - even through shimmies, hip pops, tummy rolls and snake arms. Always working on your core center for that strong posture — hips tucked under, shoulders down, strong abs, lift your chin and you are ready to go!”
Dance also has significant mental benefits, especially for seniors. “It’s excellent for cognitive thinking and memory,” explained Sammie Sue Edmondson, also a dance instructor with Rosewood Arts Centre. “The social aspect is great; it keeps seniors from being alone and helps them to keep going out in public.”
Edmondson also noted that dance improves posture and added that those with arthritis can especially benefit from moving their joints in new ways. “It’s just a really healthy atmosphere for everyone,” she said.
Of course, make sure you talk to your doctor before starting if you have health concerns or are a senior citizen.
Is dance for me?
Many people think of toddlers in tutus when they think of signing up for dance class. Or they think they need to have a willowy ballerina’s body. Not true at all. Adults of all shapes and sizes can get fit through the art of dance.
“Body shape has nothing to do with it,” Edmondson said. “It doesn’t matter — dancers can be thinner or more full-figured. [The classes] help all dancers maintain their weight and think about being healthy.”
Age also has little to do with dance success or ability. “Some days,” Boss said. “I am Miss Nancy to many ballerinas, tap dancers and tumbling students, and still able at 60 years old to split, straddle, cartwheel and somersault with the little ones, as well as do Step, Weights, Land/Cardio teaching adults for our drop-in exercise classes.”
Edmondson, who has been teaching senior-specific classes since 1999, as well as general adult and youth classes for over 30 years, agrees. “I have some younger women in class, right up to ladies in their mid-eighties.” In fact, Edmondson’s oldest student to date has been 97 years old.
If you’re a guy, you might be hesitating at all this talk of ballerinas, and it’s true — many dance classes are predominantly made up of women. However, men are generally always more than welcome and can absolutely get fit and healthy by dancing.
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