Can you recall that feeling? The music blaring, the room empty, your hips swaying to the rhythm, and suddenly, you're dancing like there's no tomorrow, your kitchen transformed into a dance floor.
Dancing is fun and liberating, but it's also a fantastic workout. When you dance without inhibition, you're not just having a good time; you're also giving your body a full-body workout. So why not give it a try? You'll feel energised, and your body will thank you.
Let's celebrate all things dance with five ways to energise your body while dancing like no one's watching. We're not just talking about ballet here. Let's create space for those steps that feel good in the moment and get our bodies moving.
Full-Body Dance Workout
It's no secret that dancing is a workout. Have you seen how toned ballerinas are?
Dancing is diverse and dynamic, unlike gym workouts, which often focus on rep on top of rep. You can still target specific muscle groups while engaging your entire body in a symphony of movement. Trust us on this and try one of our ballet classes – you'll know where your glutes are then!
Whether following set choreography or simply letting the rhythm take over, every step asks your muscles to activate uniquely. Virtually all types of dance involve movement that activates multiple areas simultaneously.
For example, ballet and jazz often focus on lower body strength and flexibility, engaging muscles in the legs, hips, and core. Meanwhile, styles like salsa and hip-hop incorporate more dynamic movements involving the arms, shoulders, upper body, and lower body.
Even simple movements like stepping, swaying, and twisting engage muscles throughout the body to varying degrees. Plus, the dynamic nature of dance means that you're constantly transitioning between different movements and positions, asking the muscles to switch between eccentric and concentric effort.
Cardio Love
Cardio is any activity that raises your heart rate and increases your breathing rate over an extended period. Dancing fits this description perfectly, as it involves continuous movement that gets your heart pumping and your lungs working harder (at least for the length of your favourite track).
When you dance, your body requires more oxygen to fuel your muscles, which causes your heart rate to increase. As your heart rate rises, your cardiovascular system works harder to deliver oxygen-rich blood to your muscles and remove waste products like carbon dioxide. This increased demand for oxygen and energy improves cardiovascular fitness over time.
Additionally, dancing typically involves rhythmic movements in time to music, which can help you maintain a steady pace and sustain your elevated heart rate throughout the activity. Whether you're having a kitchen disco, participating in one of our barre classes, or learning new choreography in a dance workshop, the continuous movement and elevated heart rate certainly classify as a cardio workout.
Regular cardio workouts are great for your health. To name just a few:
improved heart health
increased stamina
better circulation
reduced risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes.
Feel Light & Limber
As you move your body more and more, it starts to feel lighter and more limber. The repetitive motion of dance routines helps lengthen and stretch the muscles gradually. Take your dancing to the next level with dedicated practice, and you will notice increased flexibility and improved muscle elasticity.
Go to any dance class, and you will be led through dynamic stretching to warm up and cool down. Fluid, controlled motions gently stretch the muscles and joints through their full range of motion. Over time, these dynamic stretches can help increase flexibility and even improve joint mobility.
Stay Balanced
Life is full of wobbles. Finding balance both in and out of the studio is a fine art. Balancing our bodies physically takes practice, so why not have a bit of fun with it at the same time?
We already know that our core muscles work hard when we dance. These muscles stabilise the body with every step and turn. Engaging your core muscles strengthens them and enhances your overall stability, making it easier to stay centred and upright, even during dynamic movements.
Beyond core strength, dancing enhances your proprioception—the sense of where your body is in space. You will become more attuned to the subtle shifts in weight distribution and body positioning required to maintain balance. Whether you're gracefully gliding across the dance floor or busting out energetic moves, the constant coordination of your body parts sharpens your balance skills.
Dancing keeps us on our toes—literally. From quick changes in direction to fluid shifts in weight, these movements require you to adapt and react swiftly, honing your ability to maintain equilibrium in various situations. Combined with the mindfulness and focus demanded by dancing, this holistic approach fosters a strong mind-body connection, empowering you to move with grace and confidence both on and off the dance floor (or in the privacy of your own home).
Want to learn some new moves?
Dancing like no one is looking is great. It's liberating and, above all else, fun! But we understand that sometimes it's rewarding to bust out some moves that are a little more refined.
Workshops are great for learning new steps. Encouraging instructors will guide you through every step and help you master a choreography to impress everyone at your next kitchen disco. Pose Fitness Studios hosts various dance workshops throughout the year. Be sure to sign up to the mailing list to stay updated with upcoming events.