Although ballroom dancing has been around for many decades, the ballroom style was never tremendously popular among the public. However, with the introduction of reality television series "Dancing With the Stars" in 2005, ballroom began to dominate the dancing scene. Allowing for a full-body workout with dramatic moves and lively music, ballroom dance proves to be an effective alternative to traditional exercise.
Health Benefits
Whether you are dancing to a fast or slow tempo, ballroom dancing uses many of your major muscle groups. As you move across the floor, the muscles in your legs and buttocks become stronger and more toned. Because ballroom dancing often requires you to move in unusual ways, such as gliding backwards or jumping sideways, the activity helps train muscle groups that may rarely receive a workout. Your arm and shoulder muscles also benefit from keeping your arms in proper position and holding onto your dance partner. Although many dynamic movements of ballroom dancing stem from the arms and legs, these movements would not be possible without strong core muscles in the abdominals and back. Your core muscles, which are responsible for maintaining posture and proper body alignment, will become stronger and tighter through ballroom dancing. Twirling across the floor can also improve your flexibility, balance, grace and agility.
Calories Burned
The number of calories you burn through ballroom dancing depends on the overall intensity of the dance. According to the HealthStatus website, a 150-pound person can burn about 100 calories in 30 minutes of slow ballroom dancing. The calorie count increases to approximately 190 calories for fast ballroom dancing. Slow ballroom dances include the waltz, foxtrot and rumba, while fast ballroom dances include the salsa, samba or cha-cha. For a 200-pound person, 30 minutes of slow dancing can result in a 140-calorie burn, while 30 minutes of fast ballroom dancing results in a 250-calorie burn.
Additional Benefits
For many people, ballroom dancing is fun and entertaining. Rather than focusing on the sometimes unenjoyable task of exercise, your mind will likely become distracted by listening to the music, learning the steps and completing the routine. In fact, the MSNBC website describes the distraction as "an exhilarating alternative to the drudgery of the gym." When you enjoy exercise, you are much more likely to stick with it. Because ballroom dancing can help you burn calories, strengthen your cardiovascular system and tone muscles, it is an viable alternative to traditional exercises that may be viewed as boring and tedious.
Options
Across the country, dance studios offer ballroom classes for people of all ages and experience levels. While private lessons tend to be a bit pricey, group lessons are often more affordable. Check with your local fitness center; some offer ballroom dance exercise classes. A wide variety of ballroom dancing exercise videos are available, offering dance instruction in the comfort of your own home.
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