Get into the Groove!

Thanks to TV shows such as Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing with the Stars, the popularity of ballroom dancing has just soared in the past few years! Ballroom dancing used to be seen as something rather unfashionable that old people might do, but now has gained widespread popularity throughout all ages. Ballroom has been rechristened with a new trendy name, Dancesport, and it's now being approached in the similar way as football or gymnastics.


However, have you ever pondered on the idea that ballroom dancing can not only be an elegant and entertaining form of dance, but also the perfect workout for men and women alike. You might think that dancing is a light form of real exercise, but in fact professional ballroom dancers are capable of burning 260 calories per hour and have to maintain a high level of fitness. Even for nonprofessional dancers, studies have shown that boogying improves their heart rate and is responsible for overall physical fitness and muscle tone.

And there’s another perk – this just might be a form of workout that you’ll stick to. The trick is to find the workout that works for you, and if you’re not into high powered aerobics or spinning, this could be a great alternative. And even better - if you can get a dance partner to join you on a regular basis, you will encourage each other to keep up with the new routine.

Now here comes the fun part – choosing the dance style that inspires you. Take your pick from these cardiovascular forms of entertainment:

Foxtrot – a quickstepped dance with a basic rhythm of slow-slow-quick-quick.


Waltz – a true classic where the two dancers constantly turn and repeat a 3 step movement.


Quickstep – another energetic dance that is smooth and glamorous with a lot of movement on the dance floor.


Tango – a sexy and energetic dance that originated in Argentina.


Jive – a very fast dance with bouncy type movement using the balls of the feet and a lot of kicks.


Cha-cha – a sensual dance with Cuban origins where you have small gliding steps and fancy footwork.


With Women’s day just around the corner - it might be just the excuse for you ladies to persuade your boyfriend or husband to start dancing lessons together. Try it out!