Apr
23
- Having healthy fun; dancing
- Having healthy fun; hiking
- Having fun while working out; biking
- Fun workouts; sports!
- Why having fun is scary
This week we’re going to be discussing ways to have fun while being active and healthy. Most people view their health as a chore, something to be done because they have to, not because they want to. Health is all about boring stuff that you just don’t want to spend time on, like working out or watching what you eat. This is a bad view of your health. Being active and healthy should be something you celebrate and enjoy. There are many ways in which a work out can be fun and interesting. In fact, we’re going to look at five different options for a fun workout this week. Starting with Monday’s option, dancing!
Dance As An Exercise
Dancing is very physically intensive. Depending on your style of dance, you could be getting as good of a workout as if you were jogging. Club dancing is actually not the best exercise, simply because most people tend to just sway in place at a club. If you’re more energetic than that, you’re doing great, but for the rest of us the best dance workout is with styles like salsa or swing. These are fast paced dances that involve a lot of moving around. They may not elevate your heart rate as much as a good run, but they’re more fun which means you’ll spend more time doing them, and that means a great workout. The average night out on the dance floor could mean as much as three to four hours of high energy physical activity.
Dancing is also good for teaching you coordination and dexterity, something no gym workout will do. When you dance, you keep track of your entire body, not just a specific set of muscles. You learn to move your hands, arms, legs, back and everything else together. It’s one of the better ways to get more coordinated.
Dance As A Social Activity
In addition to its physical benefits, dance can also be a great social activity. It’s good for couples looking for more things to do together. It teaches people to pick up on the slightest physical hints their partner gives off. That’s important in any relationship. For groups, dancing is a great way to spend an evening since less active people can take more frequent breaks if necessary. For you singles, especially single men, dancing is one of the best ways to meet people. There are always dancers looking for partners in any dance hall and they don’t mind teaching new people.
What To Do
First of all, figure out what kind of dance style you’re interested in. There are endless varieties, from the slower ballroom dances to the fast paced swing. Some are more choreographed, meaning you’ll have to learn a lot of steps, while others are more freeform. Now there’s really no way you’re going to know what you like or don’t like ahead of time, but I would recommend talking to your friends or partner and seeing what they want to try or have tried. Also, you can find videos of most dance styles online allowing you to check things out.
Second, find a venue. There are dance halls everywhere, from night clubs to your local community center. Clubs will tend to be more expensive and you might spend 10 to 20 dollars just to enter. Local dance halls will be cheaper with entry at about 10 dollars while local community halls are the best, sometimes offering free or very cheap dance sessions. All of these venues will also have beginner classes that are usually offered earlier in the night.
Third, go to the beginner class. Don’t be shy, everyone had to start sometime. You’ll find that expert dancers like helping out the new folks. They remember what it was like to start out and they want to encourage people’s interest in this hobby they love so much. In many of the beginner lessons I’ve taken, more experienced people have shown up just to help out and have fun. I’ve never had anyone say anything negative to me or discourage me in any way, even after a stepped on foot or two.
Four, keep going to different beginner classes until you find something you like. Once you find that one dance style you like, stay with it for a while. Try to get a weekly routine where you go dancing once a week. Think of it as one of your weekly workouts but one where you have a lot more fun that those crazy people jogging outside in the rain. A few weeks later you’ll find yourself wondering why you ever thought of dancing as boring or of working out as not fun.
What You Need
Comfortable shoes. That’s pretty much it. Most dance halls will ask you to not wear certain kinds of shoes, mainly because it damages the dance floor. Otherwise, there’s not special equipment necessary.
Things To Watch Out For
Snacks - Most dance halls will offer snacks of various kinds. Do I really need to warn you to stay away from these? Bring an apple if you get hungry while you dance.
Dehydration - Dancing is a workout. It will get you sweating in no time. So make sure to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
Proper Etiquette - Every dance style has its own rules, and every dance halls or course has its own ways of doing things. Get to know these rules and don’t assume they are the same from class to class. Ask people what’s going on if you don’t understand something. Like I said, experienced dancers are always willing to help.
Being A Wall Flower - Don’t just stand around doing anything. Get in there. Try new dances. Try to copy the more experienced dancers even if you don’t know the dance. Ask one of them to step aside for a second and show you some steps. People love to help and teach. Take advantage of this great opportunity to learn and stop standing around wishing you knew how to dance.
Summary
Dancing is the equivalent of a mid level cardio workout. It has great social benefits, is not impacted by bad weather and can be done on a very cheap budget. If you’re looking for a good weekly workout, dance may the right solution for you.
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Comments
4 Responses to “Having healthy fun; dancing”
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Great entry on dance as a form of exercise! I am really enjoying your series on fun workouts.
As a Middle Eastern dancer, I would also like to point out to your readers some of the other benefits of Middle Eastern dance (belly dance) and other dance forms. Learning a beautiful dance from a culture that does not necessarily share our own culture’s focus on 0% body fat. Belly dancing is a great way to learn to appreciate your own body. It’s also a fun way to relax and let go of the stress and stiffness that accumulate after a long day at a desk job, and to get a new perspective on a culture that is often misrepresented in the US media.
If you are interested in trying different forms of dance and exercise, why not call a local dance studio and tell them about your blog project? Many dance teachers and institutions are happy to provide a free pass to try a new dance, yoga or workout class.
Good luck with your workouts! Your blog is very inspiring.
~Persephone
Hi Persephone,
You’re absolutely right, belly dance is a great workout plus a good way to learn that curves are your friend, not your enemy.
Thanks for the advice about contacting local studios as well.
Gal
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