Dancing is more than just grooving to your favorite tunes. It's also an effective workout. Not only do you burn major calories, you also trim and tone your trouble spots, strengthen your heart, increase energy and boost metabolism. Whether you enjoy dancing to hip hop or ballroom music, your body will reap the same benefits.
Lose Weight
If you have seen or heard of the ABC show "Dancing with the Stars," then you have heard all of the amazing health benefits each contestant experiences after appearing on the show -- the most prominent being weight loss. Though many of the contestants participate in dance workouts and training that last for hours, simply adding an hour of dancing a day will reap the same weight loss benefits. Salsa, foxtrot, cha-cha, the quickstep, jive and tango can all be considered part of your exercise routine.
Calories Burned
No matter what style of dancing you prefer, dancing for one hour will burn calories. The Mayo Clinic advises that one hour of ballroom dancing burns between 219 and 327 calories, depending on your weight. Dancing in general burns 306 calories an hour while hip hop dancing burns 465 calories -- doing the twist burns 326 calories and disco dancing burns 394 calories an hour.
Upper Body Muscles
Certain kinds of dances strengthen, trim and tone your upper body. Swing dancing, for example, requires a lot of strength and control in order to swing your partner around. Learning how to swing dance also works on your upper arms, shoulders, back and core. Even if you are the one being swung around, you too will require strength and will feel the burn when performing the dance routine. Other types of dances that work your upper body include hip hop, modern dance, bhangra and the jive.
Lower Body Muscles
There are plenty of dances that focus on your lower body. Dancing helps strengthen your calves, hamstrings, quads and glutes -- as well as trim and tone your waist and hips. It also strengthens your lower back and core. Country line dancing is a great way to burn calories. Pick a partner and try the paso doble, salsa or Zumba. Even just getting low on the dance floor works your legs, hips, thighs and glutes.
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