Get in Shape with Ballroom Dancing

I’m not big on reality shows. In fact, I only give two a second look: Last Comic Standing, because I love stand-up comedy, and Dancing with the Stars, because I love dance.

But something else has occurred to me — both shows can have a positive impact on your body! Think about it a moment. Laughter is a good exercise for both body and mind. So watching Last Comic Standing can give you a mini workout if you think the jokes are funny. Some of those comedians have had me laughing so hard water was coming out of my eyes.

And Dancing with the Stars? Have you noticed the dancers’ bodies? Not one single professional dancer has an ounce of fat anywhere on their body. What you see is lean, toned, and muscular abs, arms, and legs. And many of the celebrities have commented on how being on the show has improved their fitness.

Ballroom dancing is much more than a slow dance around a moonlit dance floor. There are several types of dances involved with ballroom dancing, ones that involve twirls, kicks, twists, and bends. In fact, ballroom dancing gives you the opportunity to move your body in a way that you would otherwise never experience — not even in an aerobics class. And, ballroom dancing is a great way of making exercise fun, and it’s an activity you can do together with your partner or spouse.

You may be surprised to learn that ballroom dancing can burn just as much fat and calories (if not more) than a session at the gym. Depending upon the style of dance, you can easily burn between 200 and 400 calories. For example, the foxtrot or the waltz provide an easy and gentle workout and will burn around 200 calories. This is comparable to a brisk walk in the park or thirty minutes on the elliptical. On the other hand, dances like the jive or paso doble can burn over 400 calories, which is comparable to an intense step aerobics class.

While walking on a treadmill or doing crunches are well-known exercises, they only work certain parts of your body — which leave you to workout longer in order to cover the rest. Ballroom dancing literally works every part of your body and every major muscle group. You are more likely to see results faster due to the challenge your body faces with dancing.

And if you don’t have a partner to take with you to dance class, don’t let that stop you from experiencing the glide around the dance floor. Many classes will pair you up once you arrive, and you may make some great friends! Most people who get into ballroom dancing have lots of fun, and are more likely to dance longer which extends the duration of their workout. So trade in your walking shoes for some dance shoes, and dance your way into better shape!