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Dance workouts that help you lose weight

Move, groove
burn and lose!
Sarah Wassner Flynn

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Sick of the gym? Just dance! According to a survey published by the American Council on Exercise, health and fitness specialists see dance-based workouts as a growing trend. Plus, you burn about 200 to 400 calories per hour dancing – similar to the calories you burn swimming, cycling or walking. If regularly practiced, dancing can lead to a slower heart rate, lower blood pressure and improved cholesterol levels, all signs of improved health and fitness. So if you’re ready to get your dance on (and burn off the fat!), read on for more ways to shape up while shaking your stuff!
Dancing Woman

Burn calories with choreographed moves

Who said dance classes are just for kids? Many studios and community centers offer jazz, hip hop, and ballet classes for grown-ups, too. Ballet is an awesome way to increase your flexibility, engages the hips, thighs, back, and abs, and ballet is gentle enough to practice during pregnancy. And quick-footed jazz and hip hop routines can burn about 300 calories an hour while working all of your major muscle groups. The best part? Rarely do you need any experience – or a closet full of tutus – to join.

Blitz fat with ballroom dance

Hot off the heels of the hit show Dancing With the Stars, ballroom’s never been bigger. And just like Brooke Burke, you, too, can become proficient in the pasa doble with a ballroom class. High-energy routines like the salsa, samba and cha-cha can be compared to an intense workout at the gym. Plus, because it’s a weight-bearing activity, ballroom dancing builds bone density and works nearly all the muscles of the body and sharpens balance and coordination.

DIY Dance

Can’t make it to a studio? Create your own dance floor at home. Turn up the tunes (and close the shades, if you’re so inclined) and just let loose. Jump, skip, twist, turn and wriggle around until you get your heart rate up. And if you have kids, grab them for an impromptu dance party set to their favorite songs. You’ll work up a sweat, and they’ll love seeing all of mommy’s moves!

Keep reading for more information on dance fitness


Get fit with ballroom dancing
Super sexy ways to slim down, shape up and build confidence
Dance fitness: Latin-inspired Zumba will get you fit fast
Sarah Wassner Flynn is a New York City-based writer. She's contributed to magazines such as CosmoGIRL!, National Geographic Kids, Runner's World, Women's Health, Prevention, and MetroSports New York. Her book, The Book of Happy Things, is slated for a June 2008 release.
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Comments
By kay Jun 17, 2009

Probably nobody has heard of a contradance (http://www.contradancelinks/), but there are dances in almost every community. It's not only a socially fun and inexpensive way to spend time, but it can be very aerobic and a great way to get your exercise.

By Tene Apr 22, 2009

I am happy I came across this article because I was trying to figure out what kind of results I can expect dancing. For those who can't make it to class just get a dance dvd, I have the Lisa Rinna Dance Body Beautiful dvd which I just started using, she was also on DWTS. http://my-great-adventures.blogspot/

By Maxx Mar 22, 2009

First off let me say this, Dancing is Fun... everyone with a brain knows that. Dancing allows you to let yourself be unleashed upon the Earth. It's obvious that dancing will burn calories, anything that involves movement burns calories... I just really would like to know what kind of dancing would be both practical and fun to learn, because let's face it... nobody wants Hammertime anymore.

By Angel Feb 20, 2009

I love dancing so much but doesn't have the time... Cuz I'm working in shifts. Sometimes night shifts and sometimes afternoon, And morning shift?? can't fix time for dance classes... What should I do?

By Denise Feb 15, 2009

I just started my 30 minute dance routine today and I feel great!

By Charlie Jan 19, 2009

I started doing cuban salsa dancing once a week & belly dancing once a week & in 9 months I'd lost 2 stone. Dancing combined with sensible eating works. When I sensible, I mean if I felt like a few cookies I ate them, if I felt like a candy bar I ate it. Everything in moderation.

By Anne Jan 15, 2009

Dancing is my passion I do it for at least 30 minutes each day . I dance to hip-hop, belly dance, Indian and spanish songs. I don't even consider it a work out coz it's what I love doing the most. The best part is that it keeps the pounds off ! I also watch my diet. I eat oatmeal in the morning and after 2 hours I have a piece of fruit as a snack. For lunch I'll have a turkey or egg sandwich or a small serving of rice and chicken. After 2 hours I will have another piece of fruit as a snack. For dinner I have 3 servings of any vegetables I like with baked chicken or salmon fish. I went from 150 pounds to 135 pounds in around 2 months doing this!!

By Anne Jan 15, 2009

I love dancing..I do it for at least 30 minutes each day. It's my passion I just turn up the music and dance with a mix of hip-hop, belly dance, Indian and spanish moves. I don't even consider it a work out coz it's what I love doing the most. The best part is it keeps the pounds off ! I also watch my diet, I eat oatmeal in the morning and then a piece of fruit as a snack and then I'll have a turkey or egg sandwich or a small serving of rice and chicken and then I will have another piece of fruit as a snack. For dinner I have 3 servings of any vegetables I like with baked chicken or salmon fish. I went from 150 pounds to 135 pounds in around 2 months doing this!!

By Virtual Assistant Stephanie Nov 6, 2008

When my children were youger we would turn up the music and dance around our small home and end up laughing so hard we'd cry! Maybe we can start doing this again (if they aren't too embarrassed!)

By Shelly Nov 5, 2008

I fondly remember my mom dancing with me as a kid (we lived in a small town that had no health club). In addition to dances her and my dad went to on the weekends, her DIY dancing, moving and grooving definitely kept her fit.

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