What Good Is Social Dancing?

Social dancing is a great way to get out, meet people, and above all else, have fun! But did you know that you can also gain a bunch of health benefits from social dancing? Dancing is probably one of the best ways to lose weight, have fun, and be social all at the same time. But don’t just take our word for it. Many experts have weighed in on the topic and have found the incredible benefits of dancing in correlation with health, both mental and physical.

1. Dancing does burn calories and, in turn, can help you lose weight. According to the good doctors at WebMD, dancing is a moderate level exercise which most adults need 30 minutes a day of to stay healthy. Losing weight does depend on your skill level and the type of dancing you’re doing. Something very vigorous and with a high tempo (like Salsa or Country Swing) will burn more calories in 30 minutes than something a little bit slower and relaxed (Like a Waltz or Foxtrot). 2 hours of dancing would burn anywhere from 400 to 1000 calories, depending on the dance. 
2. Flashy moves are very nice to see once in a while, but even the most experienced of dancers would be nowhere without a strong core. Dancing uses core muscles, such as the abdominal and the back to do key movements, and new dancers often find they use and feel muscles they never knew they had. Ballroom dances, like the Argentine Tango work leg muscles differently than any other type of exercise. Similarly, two minutes of ballroom dancing has the same amount of muscle exertion as an 800 meter run in the same amount of time. Though, in our opinion, dancing is way more fun. 
3. Your mental health also reaps the benefits of dancing. Think of it as doing a puzzle. Putting the steps together, remembering each step and how they go to the particular style of music can all help your memory. Dancing has been proven to stave off dementia, as well as Alzheimer’s, since you’re exercising your brain with complex moves and working with your partner. The social aspect is beneficial too. It helps fight depression and loneliness when you go out to dance as compared to dancing by yourself in your living room.