Ballroom Dancing
Putting FUN in Exercise
 Many couples looking to get fit, the
dance floor offers an exhilarating alternative to the drudgery of
the gym, and experts say sticking to an exercise regime is easier
when it's not a chore.
"That's why we lead such sedentary lives. Many of us haven't had
fun being physically active since we were children," said Cedric
Bryant, chief science officer at the American Council on Exercise.
Ballroom dancing is helping change the way people see exercise,
especially for older Americans attracted by the sense of nostalgia
it evokes. Adding to the attraction in recent years are pop
culture hits like "Dancing with the Stars" and "Shall we Dance?"
Membership in USA Dance, a ballroom dancing organization, has
doubled to 20,000 over the past decade. And that only represents a
small fraction of the people in the country who dance
recreationally, said Ken Richards, the organization's spokesman.
 Depending on the step, ballroom dancing can burn anywhere from 250
calories to 400 calories an hour - about the same as a brisk
half-hour walk on a treadmill, and the more demanding dances like
the salsa, samba and cha-cha can be comparable to an intense
session at the gym, Richards said.
Dancing works muscles in different parts of the body and sharpens
balance and coordination. Memorizing steps, kicks and twirls also
flexes the mind - a critical benefit for older Americans.
"You don't get that from walking in place on a treadmill," said
Dr. Ferdinand Venditti, spokesman for the American Heart
Association and chief of medicine at Albany Medical College. For
baby boomers and older people, Venditti said, the duration and
frequency of physical activity are more important than the
intensity. "And if you enjoy it, you're more likely to do it a
lot," he said.
Although most people who take up ballroom dancing tend to be
older, more young couples also are walking into the studio these
days. Richards of USA Dance agreed that the age of dancers seems
to be "coming down more and more." Some universities have ballroom
dance clubs.
Not all those who take lessons are couples - many arrive alone and
are paired up in class Put Dancing into your exercise routine in
2007, it may change your life.
Pictured is Anette Kendall with her
dance instructor Stefan Dobrev of Fred Estaire Studio. Photography
courtesy Dream Makers Studio, St. Petersburg.
back to top |
