Whether you're a new empty nester who hasn’t had free time in 18 years, or someone with a 60-hour work week whose resolution is to take a little time for yourself next year, dancing is a great way to stay healthy and active. For beginners and seasoned veterans alike, dancing is great cardio activity that can be way more fun than jogging or running. From salsa, to ballroom, to tango, consider the benefits of making dancing your New Year’s Resolution this year.
1. Bring your heart rate up and your blood pressure down
Dance to lower your stress levels
Even the busiest of people need a break, so why not clear your head with an hour of music and movement? Dancing releases endorphins, which stimulates your brain to feel happy and in turn brings down your stress levels.Taking an hour to turn up the music and get on your feet will be a lot of fun-and it will make you feel more relaxed for the rest of the day.
2. Bust a move for better balance
Improve your balance and body control
You’ve probably told the kids what your mom used to tell you: Practice makes perfect. That rule applies to improving your balance as well. Dance of all types requires balance to do various movements and hold poses. The more muscle groups you use, the more refined they become, making you not only more steady on your feet when dancing but also in your everyday life.
3. Same workout, less impact
Get a good workout without the damage of high-impact exercise
If you want to get your heart rate up without running miles on hard ground, dance can be a great low-impact alternative. Ballroom dance, Zumba, and other dance styles are great ways to get a good workout that won’t put a ton of strain on your body. You’ll reap the same benefits of high impact activity without the wear and tear on your muscles and bones.
4. Be engaged and enjoy your workout
Get your heart rate up-and have fun doing it
Five minutes is a short amount of time-but if you’re on a treadmill it can feel like forever. Enjoying exercise is a fast ticket to a healthier lifestyle, and while some people love to run many others do not. Dancing is an enjoyable, active and engaging alternative where you can burn a ton of calories and not wish the minutes would go by faster. Aerobic dancing can burn more than 440 calories per hour (jogging for an hour will only burn about 400!)
5. Stretch and spin to feel better
Improve your flexibility and increase your range of motion
You don’t have to be able to do the splits to be a dancer-but dancing is a great way to become more flexible and gain a more full range of motion throughout your body. Being flexible can decrease your risk of injury and make your muscles work more effectively. Being more flexible can also improve blood flow throughout your body. Dancing can also improve your posture and keep the muscles in your back strong and healthy.
6. Build strength without the weights
Improve your muscular strength and endurance
Body builders use heavy weights and machines to build muscle and increase body mass. You know who else has strong muscles? Ballerinas. Dancing builds muscle groups throughout your body including lower body, core, arms and shoulders. Through using your own weight and many repetitions, dancing can build lean muscle throughout your body and help you feel healthier and stronger.
For salsa dancers and Zumba-ers alike, dance has many great benefits for your health. Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or looking to try something totally new this year, dance is a great way to keep that resolution of being healthier and more active. To learn more about dance options or to sign up for your first dance class at La Vida Studio, visit our website today!
