Regular exercise provides a multitude of benefits. As part of a weight-loss regimen, regular dancing can increase the amount of calories your body burns. The amount of weight you lose depends on a variety of factors, including the intensity of your dance routine, the length of time you work out and your body size. Check with your doctor before beginning any new or strenuous exercise program, especially if you have a serious health condition.
Weight Loss
Although quick diet advertisements are rampant, safe and effective weight loss depends on balancing calories. A pound of body fat weighs equals approximately 3,500 calories. In order to lose a single pound of fat, you must create this calorie deficit by eating fewer calories, burning more calories or combining both diet and exercise to achieve these results. Dancing is one type of physical activity that allows you to choose your level of intensity, an important element in determining how quickly you lose weight.
Calories
According to MayoClinic.com, a 160-pound person can expect to burn about 219 calories during an hour of ballroom dancing, while a 240-pound individual may burn as much as 327 calories an hour. At this rate of caloric burn, a 160-pound person must dance for about 16 hours to lose a single pound of fat, while a 240-pound person only requires slightly more than 10 hours. However, the fast, intense dance moves used in certain high-impact dance styles, such as jitterbug, jive and hip-hop, can burn calories almost twice as fast as the slower, ballroom pace.
Benefits of Dancing
You are more likely to continue participating in an activity that brings you enjoyment. For many individuals, dancing provides an enjoyable method of staying active. Regular workouts that involve dancing can increase your stamina and improve your body's ability to burn calories effectively by increasing the amount of muscle tissue. Many dance routines involve a wide range of movements that help you focus on toning and conditioning various muscle groups. This weight-bearing exercise also helps prevent osteoporosis and the accompanying bone fractures.
Considerations
Familydoctor.org recommends exercising for about 30 to 60 minutes 4 to 6 times each week. Performing your ballroom dance routine at the top end of these recommendations, you can expect to lose a pound of fat in about two and one-half weeks if you weigh about 160 pounds. If you weigh closer to 240 pounds, you may lose the first pound of fat in a little less than two weeks. Dance styles that require a higher level of intensity, such as polka and hip-hop, will decrease the amount of time it takes to lose your excess weight.
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