Dancing can be a fun way to get aerobic exercise and burn fat so that you can lose weight. Dancing for exercise also helps build bone strength, reduce stress and boost confidence, notes the American Council on Exercise. As with any exercise regimen, it's a good idea to check with your health care provider before starting a dance-based workout to make sure you're healthy enough for the plan you have in mind.
Belly Dancing
Belly dancing can burn as many calories as aerobic exercises like running and biking, says MayoClinic.com. The key to using belly dancing for weight loss is to choose a class that keeps you moving the whole time, and opting for a class that uses traveling steps since the more you move, the more calories you burn. For best weight loss results, combine belly dancing with strength training, core training and a healthy diet.
Salsa Dancing
Salsa dancing is one of the best dancing workouts because it gives you a high-intensity workout. A 150-lb. person can burn approximately 200 calories in 30 minutes of salsa dancing, the same amount of calories you'd burn if you spent the same time jogging at a moderate pace, notes MayoClinic.com. Salsa dancing can also help tone your muscles, though you'll need to incorporate strength training into your workout to significantly improve muscle development.
Zumba Dancing
If you're looking for an intense dance workout, "Elle" magazine recommends Zumba dancing. It can take a few sessions to get the hang of this intense cardiovascular workout, which combines elements from Caribbean, Latin ballroom, Latin and American hip-hop, and African dance styles, but once you master the moves, it's possible to burn as many as 700 calories per hour. The trick is to stick with it: after a few sessions, "Elle" magazine says you'll develop muscle memory that makes Zumba dancing easier to master.
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