Beach season is fast approaching, which means it’s time to bust out your summer shorts if you haven’t already. Like plenty of others, you might want to shed some winter weight to look your best in the warmer weather this year. Unlike many others, you’re about to be let in on a little secret.
While your friends are trying their hardest to follow rigorous workout DVDs or spending their hard-earned cash at the gym, you could be burning the same number of calories simply by dancing your heart out. That’s right, dancing gets your heart rate pumping and tones your muscles just as good as any other workout routine. Here’s how you can use your feet to prepare for the heat this summer.
Motivation
Just like any workout routine, you need to stay motivated if you want to stick with. Dancing has the benefit of being ten times more fun than squats or pushups, but it still takes a little dedication to get up and start grooving.
Get yourself a new pair of shoes and must have leggings like these. A new outfit specifically for dancing at home is sure to have you dancing throughout week just to wear it. Throw in anything else you would like, but don’t skimp on the shoes. You’ll need good support with all of the foot tapping you’re about to do.
The Benefits
Cardio is good for your heart, but running a mile every morning isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. If you practice a dance like salsa, hip-hop, or even ballroom dancing, then you can reap the same health benefits as that morning run each time you shake those hips.
As your heart rate rises, your body reaches what most workout instructors call the “fat burning zone.” This is where the pounds start to shed off as your muscles tone. If you dance three times every week, you can say goodbye to stubborn fat and hello to beach ready legs.
At the same time, all of those moves are working on improving your balance, joint stability, and preventing osteoporosis (the thinning of your bones). Dancing does so much more than help you lose weight while having fun. It’s a proactive exercise for your future, too.
Last, but not least, it’s a blast! You control the music, the pace, the moves, and every other aspect of your workout while simply having a good time. You can dance in your home or head out with your friends for a fun night and still meet your workout goals for the week. Does it get any better than that?
Dances to Practice
One of the top recommended dance workouts is called jazzercise. This mix of dance, strength, and resistance training is paired with today’s top hits. You can find all sorts of DVDs and live classes for you to join in the fun, but some people prefer regular dancing to this workout fusion.
If you’d rather just have fun learning new moves, then give ballroom, hip-hop, or salsa a try. You can probably find classes in your area that will teach you the basics. If not, YouTube has thousands of instructional videos to get you on the right track.
Once you have the moves down pat, you can pair it with your favorite music and start practicing. Keep in mind that each style is often paired with a specific genre, so pick something that you’ll want to groove to. You may also want to consider the number of calories burnt during a workout.
The Stats
The average jazzercise routine burns roughly 273 calories in thirty minutes, according to Consumer Reports. This exercise works both your upper and lower body while delivering excellent cardiovascular benefits.
Calorie Lab states that faster-paced ballroom dancing can help you burn up to an incredible 306 calories over the course of an hour, while traditional waltzes can burn 136 calories. These dances are excellent for helping to strengthen your joints while providing long-term stability and balance.
Hip-hop can help you clear out around 350-400 calories per hour, while salsa can tackle up to 480 calories in the same timeframe. Each of these helps you to build excellent coordination, balance, and strength while still delivering the benefits of an intense cardio workout.
Dancing is the Key
Very few people enjoy a home workout regimen or heading to the gym three times a week, but almost everyone likes to dance. If you enjoy shaking your hips to your favorite jams, then why not incorporate dancing into reaching your fitness goals? You’ll burn calories, get healthy, and have fun at the same time. What have you got to lose (besides those unwanted pounds)?
Wendy Dessler
Outreach manager at http://theblogfrog.com/
Wendy Dessler is a super-connector who helps businesses find their audience online through outreach, partnerships, and networking. She frequently writes about the latest advancements in digital marketing and focuses her efforts on developing customized blogger outreach plans depending on the industry and competition.