Social ballroom dancing like Salsa, Swing and Country Two Step is an incredible form of exercise! Not only does it raise the heart rate but it can also burn just as many calories as walking, swimming or bicycling. But here’s the difference; as opposed to a typical work out, with dance you can do something you enjoy while getting into shape! Think about it…go Country dancing with friends, burn calories. What a deal! It’s the best of both worlds.

Along with serving as a great way to burn calories (up to 500 during a one-hour Country dance lesson) dancing also benefits the body in additional ways. The incorporation of dancing into any lifestyle is amazing for improving endurance. Swing and Salsa dancing are especially great for building stamina as they keep that heart rate on the rise throughout song after song. As you partner dance, your muscles work hard so that over time your body can handle more movement with less fatigue.

Dancing has so many benefits that we could spend all day talking about them. We all know that to lose weight you must use more calories in the day than you take in. This means that you must be active. A good way to enhance your ability to burn calories is to perform some form of aerobic activity – something that causes your heart rate to increase to meet the oxygen demands of the muscles you use during the activity. Dancing does just this because when you are dancing you are using the large muscle groups of the lower body (legs, glutes, back). And, while you have to move your entire body through space in a balanced and steady manner, all your stabilizer muscles from head to toe are in use as well. Even further; in the last two decades the rate of disability among older people has declined dramatically. Much of this can be contributed to the encouragement of a more active way of life.

Exercise (along with a healthy diet) is the most recommended lifestyle change in order to prevent premature aging. Regular exercise keeps the skin firm, improves skin elasticity and promotes an overall beautiful glow. Building muscle also helps prevent osteoporosis, especially in women, and arthritis can be prevented (or lessened) through regular aerobics as well. Using partners dances as an exercise truly needs to become part of a regular routine in order to be effective. The more you practice those Country and Latin dance moves, the more you will be able to slow down the aging process! Practice makes perfect, right? Find a regular routine of and stick with it if you want to fight against aging. If you take regular social ballroom dance lessons in popular styles such as Tango, Nite Club, Two step, or Salsa, your body is probably thanking you!

Dancing improves posture too! All those basic steps, torso rotations, and legs extensions engage many different muscles in the body, but especially the ones in the back. If you invest in dancing, and practice daily, you will likely notice that your posture will improve in a very short amount of time.

You may incorporate exciting Latin dances like Cha Cha or Tango into your life for the numerous health perks, but social ballroom dancing can do so many other wonderful things for your body, some of which may be a little more subtle. Dancing can help lower your heart rate, blood pressure and cholesterol. It can also help strengthen bones, boost the immune system and improve posture. Often the sense of well being that is found within a dance-filled lifestyle is just as rewarding as the physical exercise itself!

Finally, and quite important, dancing is a great way to meet people. Learning how to meet new people is, debatably, one of the most important skills you will ever learn. Embrace your ability to move on the dance floor and utilize it to your advantage! Whether your dance preference is Latin, Swing, Country or Tango, you can build your confidence and courage by going out to practice at a local dance venue. Believe it or not, getting your foot in the door is half the battle. If you see another aimless wanderer, chances are they are waiting to be asked to dance. Women, make eye contact if you are interested in being asked to dance (Guys sometimes need a hint! If you’re bold, or if he is clueless, ask him to dance yourself!) Not only will you be able to find the courage to ask for a dance, but often in social dancing, you will switch partners throughout the dance style as well.

Think you’re ready to try it out? Dance FX Studios is ready to help you to receive all of the incredible benefits of social dancing. Check out our Private Dance Lesson times, Group Classes and Night’s Out dancing, and see how dance “FX” you!