Physical activity is essential for maintaining good health, and there are many different ways to get moving. One enjoyable and beneficial way to get active is through dancing. Dancing not only provides a great workout, but it can also be a fun and social activity. Whether you enjoy watching professional dancers perform or you enjoy getting out on the dance floor yourself, dancing is a great way to get your body moving.
And research has shown that dancing has plenty of benefits for physical health. For example, dancing can improve balance and coordination, as well as flexibility and muscle strength. It can also help to reduce the risk of falls in older adults. So if you’re looking for a fun and effective way to get active, consider adding some dance into your life.
Types of dance that help to boost physical health
Zumba
Zumba is a type of dance fitness program that combines Latin and international music with dance moves. Zumba classes are usually high-energy and involve a lot of movement. This makes them a great way to get your heart rate up and give your whole body a workout. In addition, because Zumba involves a lot of different movements, it can also help improve your coordination and agility.
Belly dancing
Belly dancing is a type of Middle Eastern dance that involves moving the hips and abdomen in a sinuous, snake-like manner. Belly dancing is often considered a sensual and feminine form of dance, but it can actually be quite challenging. This is because belly dancing requires you to use your abdominal muscles to control the movement of your hips. As a result, it can be a great way to tone your abs and give your whole body a workout.
Salsa
Salsa is a type of Latin dance that originated in Cuba. It is danced to Latin American music, which is typically fast-paced and upbeat. Salsa is a very popular form of dance, and there are often salsa clubs or classes available in most cities. Salsa is a great workout because it involves a lot of quick and sudden movements, which can help to improve your agility. In addition, because salsa involves moving your hips and waist a lot, it can also help tone your muscles.
Line dancing
Line dancing is a type of dance that is usually done to country music. It involves a group of people dancing in unison, often in rows or lines. Line dancing is an excellent workout because it requires you to use your whole body. The constant movement can help get your heart rate up and give your muscles a workout. In addition, line dancing is often done with fast-paced music, making it even more challenging and fun.
Tap dancing
Tap dancing is a type of dance that involves tapping your feet on the floor to create a rhythm. Tap dancing is a great workout because it requires you to use your leg muscles to lift your feet off the ground and then strike them back down again. This repeated movement can help to tone your leg muscles and improve your coordination.
So, how can dancing help to promote your physical health?
Good for cardiovascular health
Dancing is a great way to get your heart pumping and blood flowing. In fact, dancing has been shown to be an excellent form of aerobic exercise, which is important for cardiovascular health. Aerobic exercise like dancing can help to increase the levels of HDL cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol) in your body while also decreasing the levels of LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol). This can help to reduce your risk of developing heart disease.
In addition, dancing can also help to lower blood pressure and improve circulation. When you dance, your muscles contract and then relax, which helps to squeeze the veins and arteries and move blood through your body more effectively.
It helps to improve balance and coordination
Another great benefit of dancing is that it can help to improve your balance and coordination. This is because dancing requires you to use your whole body, including your arms and legs, in a coordinated way. You will likely find that your balance and coordination improve over time as you practice dancing.
This is especially beneficial for older adults, as poor balance and coordination can increase the risk of falls. In fact, research has shown that regular dancing can reduce the risk of falls by up to 40%.
It helps to maintain bone density
Dancing is also a great way to keep your bones healthy and strong. When you dance, you are essentially giving your bones a workout. The impact of your feet hitting the ground as you dance helps stimulate the production of new bone cells, which can help maintain bone density.
In addition, research has shown that dancing can also help to improve balance and coordination, which can in turn help to reduce the risk of falls and fractures.
An excellent workout for your whole body
Dancing using online platforms like Airdance, online dance classes app is a great way to give your whole body a workout. As we mentioned before, dancing requires you to use your arms and legs in a coordinated manner, which can help to tone your muscles. In addition, dancing also helps to strengthen your core muscles (the muscles around your trunk), which is essential for good posture and back health.
What’s more, because dancing is a weight-bearing exercise, it can also help to strengthen your bones. As we mentioned before, the impact of your feet hitting the ground helps stimulate the production of new bone cells.
It helps to improve agility and flexibility
Dancing can also help to improve your agility and flexibility. When you dance, you are constantly moving your body in new and different ways. As you do this, you are effectively stretching and lengthening your muscles, which can help to improve your flexibility over time.
In addition, the quick and sudden movements that are often involved in dancing can help improve your agility. This means that you will be better able to change direction quickly, which can be beneficial in sports and other activities.