From Zumba to Cardio Funk, dance aerobic classes are what's hot and happening in the fitness industry. If you are not attracted to the treadmill or stationary cycling class, perhaps dancing is the best choice for you to get your aerobic exercise. Basic dance steps like the grapevine, cha cha and pony are easy to learn and fun to do. Put them together for a 45- to 60-minute routine and you will have an excellent cardio workout.
Groove With The Grapevine
One of the most basic jazz dance steps is called the grapevine. It is a low-impact, old-school dance move that is a standard in aerobics classes. To perform the grapevine, start with feet together. Take one step to the right, then cross your left foot in front of your right. Next, step right foot to the right again, then close your left foot to a toe touch. The step is an 8-count step. When you are just learning, it might be helpful to say the cues out loud, as in "step, cross, step, touch." After your 4-count touch to the right, repeat the pattern to the left. Step to the side with your left foot, cross in front with your right, step left again with the left foot and close the right foot to a toe touch.
Get Your Cha Cha On
If you are a fan of watching Latin dancing, then you have seen a lot of cha chas. The cha cha is a really fun salsa step that moves front and back as opposed to the grapevine, which moves side to side. The step is composed of two slow steps, three quick steps, two slow steps, three quick steps. The count is 1, 2 3 and 4, 5, 6 7 and 8. Start with both feet together. Step to the front with your right foot slowly, shift weight or rock back to left foot slowly, bring your right foot back behind your left foot and do a quick right left right step (step ball change). Step left foot backwards, shift weight back to the right foot and quick left right left or cha cha cha. If you want to say it out loud, the steps are right left, cha cha cha, left right, cha cha cha. Put on some great salsa music and enjoy your cha cha.
Party With The Pony
The pony is a classic dance move made popular in the 1960's, but it has never really gone out of style. You can have a blast and burn a lot of calories doing the pony all over the house. Start with feet together, hop to the right foot and lift your left foot up, quickly place left toe on the floor and shift back to the right as in step ball change or step toe step. The count is 1-2-3, 4-5-6, or right left right, left right left. The arms can alternate reaching overhead or for more of a 60's groove, do the swim by alternating reaching arms in front as in the crawl swim stroke.
Member Comments