This is another question that people have. Dancing is for the people who don’t want to really exercise. It’s for people who want to move their bodies without lifting weights. It’s a hobby, not an exercise. Well, I’m sorry, but those answers are flat out wrong. You see, dancing is most definitely a form of exercise, and is most definitely a good workout depending what kind you choose. It also has so many benefits for you that you can enjoy while doing something that you love.
Dancing also makes you happy. Not to mention, it’s fun. While I personally enjoy a good strength training session, there are days that I just don’t look forward to it. Actually, when I first got into fitness, strength training was boring to me, but dancing was fun. Even still, there hasn’t been a single day that I don’t look forward to a dance workout. Yes, I personally enjoy dancing. You see, for me, rather than running on a treadmill or jumping rope, I like to dance for my cardio workouts. While jumping rope and running are really good forms of exercise, I personally prefer dance because one: it’s more fun, and two: you work a lot more of your body doing dance workouts. And before you say that there are different muscles that you work doing running or jump rope in comparison to dancing, let me stop you there and say that you use those muscles as well as the rest of your body doing dance. Dancing is a total body exercise. And perhaps one reason that more women rather than men tend to do it, is because it helps us burn the fat in the areas we need to concentrate more on, and gives us those curves we are trying so hard to get and keep. But dance is beneficial for men as well, and I will list the benefits of it below.
Dancing is beneficial for you physically as it improves your cardiovascular health in a number of different ways depending on the level and intensity of it. Dancing works your heart, boosting your blood circulation, and strengthening your heart’s performance. It also build up your endurance levels, so you can do more for longer.
It improves your balance and your strength as it works your entire body and moves in all of the different planes of motion. This is what I meant when I said it works your whole body. It moves the different muscles in different positions, improving your functionality as well.
For the people who have limited mobility or chronic conditions, some dance routines can be gentle on your body, and allow you to perform things you couldn’t do before. The slower routines can help you feel your way through a move, especially with a licensed professional there, and can help you work your muscles in a better, more efficient way.
It boosts cognitive function, boosting your ability to think and improve your skills and memory. It is also challenging to the brain to learn the moves and synchronize them to the music, and remember when to switch to a new move. This is tricky for your brain at first. It’s incredible for hand eye coordination, and is so beneficial to your brain health that you will start feeling smarter and have an easier time figuring things out after you start practicing dance.
Anyone can dance. There’s not a too young or too old area. It isn’t just for women, nor is it just for men. Everyone an dance. It isn’t girly, it’s fun, and it’s extremely beneficial.
Dancing improves your sleep, as it is exercise. You will sleep deeper and better and wake up feeling more refreshed than you did before you started dancing.
It can be a social activity with your friends and family, or a way to make new friends. You can do it with your kids and teach them how to do it. And they’ll be so tickled that they get to join their mom or dad in doing something fun. Get your spouse involved. That’ll be even more fun when you dance together. Go out with friends to a dance class and laugh and work with them. You can meet new people and chat about it together. This is also something that is beneficial to you.
It is also extremely effective at boosting your mood. Dancing (whether you are good or bad at it) releases endorphines, boosts self-esteem, and has been shown to redue stress, anxiety, and depression, and boosts confidence. You will find yourself smiling more, and walking straighter and taller after you’ve begun practicing dance.
And dancing is really good for kids, for all of the same reasons that I already listed. Plus, it’s a way for those crazy kids to use up some of that seemingly endless energy. And, as I already said, it can be bonding time with the parents. And that’s important to a growing kid.
Dancing also improves your flexibility and reduces stiffness as you are moving your body in different ways. Increasing your flexibility will also ease joint pain. Plus, you’ll find when you’re move flexible, you are better able to perform random things throughout the day.
One nice side effect of dancing is this: YOU LOSE WEIGHT! Now who doesn’t want that? It’s the reason that a lot of people start exercising and eating right. You want to get a sexy body and be healthy. Dancing helps you lose weight, and helps women get the curves in all the right places. Plus, it’s a very freeing exercise. You can just have fun with it. With dancing, you can add in some of your own little techniques once you’ve got the hang of the basics. You can make it your own style and just have fun.
Dancing increases your energy levels as well, and helps you get more fit at the same time. Who doesn’t want better energy levels? More energy to manage all the tasks in the day, have fun with your spouse and kids, and do more without always feeling so tired? Sign me up!
A beneficial side effect that is not often talked about when it comes to dancing, is how you become more graceful when you dance. And it makes sense. You practice being graceful, precise and sexy when you’re dancing, and if you do it enough, it automatically transfers over to how you carry yourself throughout the day. I will just say, that I was something of a klutz before I started dancing. Now, I don’t knock everything over as I pass, or continuously trip over my own two feet. Dancing has made me graceful. And perhaps it’s the boost of confidence you get as well, but you also adopt better posture once you start dancing.
So how do you start dancing? Before Covid, I would have said go to a dance class and give it a shot. Plenty of gyms have dance classes inside their doors. If this pandemic ever ends and things can go back to normal, I will recommend that again. But for now, you can enjoy dancing in your own home. You can buy DVDs online, or look up the streaming options of people that teach dance online. Both are good options, and you can do them in the comfort of your own home. Plus, there’s a pause button for when you need it. What kinds do I recommend? Well, that really depends on the level of intensity you look for. I love the crazy fast, high impact workouts. I personally recommend Zumba, or perhaps Figure 8 Fitness (which is my absolute favorite. Here’s the link for it if you want to check it out). https://bodyfx.com You can find Zumba dance almost anywhere. Online, or even in stores. It is probably one of the most popular forms of dance workouts. You can also take tap dancing, I think ballet is a bit much to learn at home, but feel free to give it a shot if you would like. You can do belly dancing, hip hop, or any other form that you would love to try. You can even find couples dances online for an active date night.
And that wraps up this week’s blog post. I hope that this anwered the question; Does Dancing Count as Exercise? Did you get your answer? If you’re still not sure, the answer is Yeah-Yes! Definitely! And, Give it a Shot! Dancing is fun and beneficial, and you can benefit a lot from it. I will see you next week, and I hope that you will give it a shot! Have a great week everyone!