Learn A Salsa Dancing Course, Get Fit and Shed Pounds

Nearly everyone got caught up in the dance craze by watching TV‘s Dancing With the Stars this past season. There’s just something about the music, the dances, the level of competition and the sarcastic responses from the judges. But there is also something else that caught the eye with the professional dancers – their bodies. Not one single professional had an ounce of fat anywhere on his or her body. What you saw were lean, toned and muscular abs, arms and legs. You probably would never think that ballroom dancing could produce such a workout, but it’s actually one of the best physical fitness programmes available.

ballroom dancing is much more than a slow shuffle around a moonlit dance floor. There are several types of dances involved in the ballroom repertoire, ones that require 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.

It’s no secret that most people looking to get fit or lose weight are intimidated by the gym. Not only are you surrounded by people with a better body than yours, but often you find yourself having to wait for that elusive machine or struggling to keep up in a class. Ballroom dancing is a great way of making exercise fun and it’s an activity you can do together with your partner or spouse. Unfortunately, some people continue to live inactive lifestyles because they just haven’t found a physical activity they like to do. Ballroom Dance Steps

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 yet will burn around 200 calories. This is comparable to a brisk walk in the park or thirty minutes on an elliptical trainer that simulates walking or running. On the other hand, dances such as the jive or paso doble can burn over 400 calories which compares to an intense step aerobics class.

While walking on a treadmill or doing crunches are well-known exercises, they concentrate on certain parts of your body, leaving you to work out longer in order to cover the rest. Ballroom dancing literally exploits every part of the body and each major muscle group. You are more likely to see results faster due to the challenge your body accepts when 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 across the floor. Many classes will pair you up once you arrive and you may meet some great friends – or possibly something more! Most people who get into ballroom dancing have lots of fun and are more likely to dance longer, thus extending the duration of their workout. So trade in your hiking boots for some dance shoes and step your way into better shape! Ballroom Dance Steps