If you are searching for a way to spice up your exercise sessions, you may enjoy adding Latin music and Latin dance to your workouts. Latin music has a continuous beat that is upbeat and motivating. The Latin dance steps will increase your heart rate, which helps your body burn calories. You will move your legs and your hips, which helps tone your lower body muscles and your core. Your mind will also be engaged in the activity because the movements are new and will require concentration.
Step 1
Play fast tempo music and use a quick, quick, slow movement to salsa dance. Begin by standing tall with your feet together. Count the music beats either in your head or out loud. Count one through eight. Step your left foot approximately one foot in front of your right on beat one. Step your right foot in place on beat two. Return your left foot to start position for beat three. Keep your weight on your left foot and slightly bend your right knee, but do not move your feet on beat four. Step your right foot behind you on beat five. Step your left foot in place on beat six. Return your right foot to start position on beat seven. Keep your weight on your right foot and slightly bend your left knee, but do not more your feet for beat eight. Repeat the sequence.
Step 2
Perform the merengue. Play medium tempo Latin music and count the beats one through four. Begin marching in place with your right foot stepping on beats one and three and your left foot stepping on beats two and four. Imagine that your right leg is shorter than your left so that you bend your right leg as you march. Drop your right hip as you do this, so your hips shift to the left side of your body. Continue for one minute and then repeat, pretending that your left leg is short and shifting your hips to the right.
Step 3
Use the cha-cha dance alone or with the salsa. Count one, two, three, hold for the four counts in Latin music. Quickly move your feet in time to your count. Step right, left, right, hold and then left, right, left, hold. Step forward with your left foot and then step your right foot in place. Bring the left foot back to start position for the first count of the cha-cha. Quickly step right and then left for the next two counts of the cha-cha. Hold for one beat, and then step back with your right foot, and in place with your left. Step the right foot forward. Quickly step left and then right. Repeat for the length of the song.
Tips and Warnings
- Latin music can be used during step aerobics. You can add salsa and merengue on or off the bench.
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