Dance workouts are great ways to get in shape and lose weight.You can take a dance workout class at a gym if it's offered or by using a DVD workout program in your home. Dance workouts are fun, which will keep you motivated, but they can also provide an intense cardio workout to help you tone up or slim down. You can burn 500 calories or more per hour, depending on which workout you chose.
Zumba
Zumba is an aerobic dance workout program that was developed by Beto Perez in the mid-90s. It primarily focuses on fun, easy-to-follow, yet physically challenging Latin-style dance moves, incorporating styles such as samba, salsa, cumbia, merengue, among others. The workout programs can be purchased for use at home, however, many gyms and fitness centers are now offering Zumba classes as well. One of Zumba's affiliate websites claims that you can burn between 500 and 800 calories per hour, depending on the intensity of the workout and your own fitness level. Zumba uses interval training combining fast and slow rhythms into one workout, which can help to boost your metabolism and increase the overall number of calories burned.
Belly Dancing
Belly dancing workouts have become increasingly popular over the past decade. With the advent of belly dance workouts by dancers like twin sisters Veena and Neena Bidasha, many others have come out with various belly dancing weight loss programs as well. According to an article by CBS News, belly dancing can offer not only weight loss, but also a more toned, shapely physique because of the nature of the workout itself. In belly dance workouts, the focus is not just on belly movement, but also on the hips and shoulders, which leads to a total body workout. Some workouts also incorporate yoga moves or handheld weights. Belly dancing classes can be found at specialized dance schools, but there are numerous workout DVDs available for home use. According to the Mayo Clinic, you should chose a program that keeps you moving continuously for the best results.
Ballroom Dancing
If you're familiar with the television program "Dancing with the Stars," you're probably already aware that ballroom dancing can be a great way to burn calories and lose weight. Actor John O'Hurley lost 25 pounds when he was a contestant on the show, according to "People Magazine." According to WebMD, if you are continuously dancing for at least 30 minutes, you are getting a good workout that will burn calories and help you to shape up because ballroom dancing makes you use muscles that other workouts tend not to focus on. Ballroom dancing, such as the tango, foxtrot or waltz uses core muscles that are also used in exercises like Pilates. You can sign up for a ballroom dance class at your local dance studio, or you can purchase one of the many ballroom dancing DVDs available for at-home use.
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