It’s the New Year, a time when many of us make resolutions to build healthier habits or try something new. If starting a new workout routine is on your to-do list, why not consider the health benefits that come with dancing? Yes, dancing – like you did as a kid, but this time it may be more fun than you’re thinking.
“Dance lessons are a great way to pick up a new hobby with the side benefit that you might also lose weight and become healthier,” Bianco says.
Lindsey Bianco, owner of the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Gilbert, admits that starting dance can be intimidating. “Dancing is a vulnerable thing, especially as an adult,” she says. “It’s a lot to put yourself out there and you may be worried that you’ll do the wrong moves.”
But, Bianco, who began competing in ballroom dancing at the age of 12, shares that the health benefits of dance are worth it.
“The main benefits of dance are improved cardiovascular endurance, increases in muscular tone, reductions in excess body weight and improvements in coordination and balance,” she says. “More specifically, creating a caloric deficit of 3,500 calories will eliminate one pound of excess body weight. A typical individual weighing 150 pounds can expect to burn between 175 and 250 calories per every 30 minutes of performing a Latin and Salsa dance-oriented routine.”
Other perks of dance lessons for adults, according to experts, include: stress relief, a mental workout (especially when learning new routines!), the social experience, increased flexibility, a unique take on “me time,” and more.
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Tip 1
Adults who want to get into the swing of dancing? Consider beginner classes and lessons that are geared toward new dancers. For example, Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Gilbert—which specializes in partner dances like ballroom, Latin, swing, and more—is open to new students with little to no experience and body shapes of all types.
Tip 2
She recommends to look for a warm, welcoming environment, and consider bringing a partner or friend. But, if you go solo, especially at Fred Astaire Dance Studio, it’s totally fine too—you’ll be paired up with an instructor for dance lessons.
“At Fred Astaire Dance Studio, students learn to social dance—essentially dances they can do in a social setting with confidence,” Bianco explains. “We also have a competitive track students can do as well, but many come to learn, try new things, and kick start a fitness routine.”
Tip 3
For those who do start a dance routine, Bianco recommends being kind to oneself as learning new skills always comes with a learning curve.
“If you are just starting out we recommend that you be patient with yourself; this is a learning process and it takes time to learn a new hobby,” she advises. “We also advise to be kind and understanding to your partner if you are learning with a significant other. Lastly, be open to learning and having fun.”
Tip 4
It’s not just about burning calories…
According to a recent study, salsa dancing positively impacts people’s moods. “Researchers explained that it was the combination of social interaction, exercise, and the concentration that learning a new skill requires that significantly boosted the mood of all the study’s participants,” according to the Fred Astaire Dance Studio website.
But if you’re counting calories…
Dancing can often burn more calories than “more traditional” workout routines such as jogging, according to experts.
To learn more about classes visit fredastaire.com/gilbert call 480.993.0977.
