Getting In Shape With Ballroom Dancing

If you have ever watched Dancing With The Stars, one thing you are sure to notice is how well-toned every dancer's body is. Oh yes, you can get caught up with all the pizzazz that is built around the dancing in the show, the comments, the asides, the costumes, but it is the bodies that no doubt held your attention, the way they moved and the way they looked. No spare flesh to be seen anywhere, just sleek, perfectly toned and shaped arms, legs, abs. One reason is that ballroom dancing is really one of the best workouts there is.

To many of us who don't dance too often or too well, ballroom dancing is nice, slow and romantic, on a dimly lit dance floor or out in the moonlight. Well, trained ballroom dancers have a different story to tell. It's a hard job to dance well and just as hard staying fit and abreast of the many who come into this world of perfect timing and perfect physique. All those moves, those twirls and those bends and twists give you much more exercise than an aerobics class would.

Ballroom dancing is a good alternative to the gym if you are looking for a bit more strenuous form of exercise. At a gym it is easy to notice just how good and toned everyone else looks and it could give you a complex if you have a lot of excess weight to shed. At a dance class however, the emphasis is on the moves rather than the exercise. It's also fun and you can do it as a couple. It's great if you haven't found a fun way to exercise, as it involves music, exercise, and socializing.

The great thing is that you are burning as many calories as any other form of exercise, like at the gym for instance. And sometimes even more. One session could mean that you burn anywhere between 200 to 400 calories, how much precisely would depend on the kind of dance you choose. Now this is like half an hour on the elliptical trainer or a brisk walk. Some energetic dances burn up even more calories.

Moreover, ballroom dancing exercises every part of your body, not just certain portions like at the gym when you are doing crunches or you are on the treadmill. Little wonder that professional ballroom dancers look so worked over and superbly toned from head to toe.

And there is more to make it even more enjoyable. Unlike any other form of exercise, you get teamed up with a partner! You could go as a couple or you could just go and be paired off. Doing things together is great fun and who knows, you might just make friends who last a lot longer than your dance lessons. So get out there and dance your way to fitness!

 

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