Dance Your Way to a Better Body

Some people may believe that exercise is all work and no play. After all these years, I still come upon people who don't share my belief that lifting weights is actually a lot of fun. For the life of me, I can't understand why, but maybe that is the meathead in me. Recently I had the pleasure of seeing "Kinky Boots", the new musical by Harvey Fierstien and Cyndi Lauper at the Bank of America Theatre. The show was amazingly fun and heartwarming at the same time. Some of my favorite numbers were the upbeat disco style numbers that some of the drag queens in the show performed. I looked at them in amazement as they tore up that stage with their frenzied yet stylized dance. Maybe it was the personal trainer in me, but I just kept thinking "Oh my gosh, they must be burning a million calories up there!" But they were also having fun. It took me back to the days of bartending at the Manhole when I used to get up on top of the bar and dance. People may not think of dancing as traditional exercise, but believe me, it certainly yields results. Studies show that dancing can help people lose weight, stay flexible, reduce stress, and even make friends. In this article, I will be discussing some of the many benefits of dance and how it can truly lead you to shed off the pounds and build a better body.

Improved Memory: Dancing is not only great for the body; it is also great for the mind. Recent studies have shown that dancing may boost memory and also help to prevent dementia as one ages. Science shows us that aerobic exercise can reverse volume loss in the hippocampus, the part of the brain that controls memory. The hippocampus naturally shrinks during late adulthood, which often leads to impaired memory and sometimes dementia. Dancing is a form of aerobic exercise, so it is easy to see how it could enhance memory. Who knew?

Improved flexibility: Dancing can also be extremely beneficial for improving flexibility and reducing stiffness. Flexibility is always enhanced when a muscle is warm. When we dance, blood flow to our muscles is constant. This increased circulation creates warmth. The body is constantly contracting and relaxing in different ways when we dance. It is during the relaxation phase, when the now warm muscle is able to actually increase its range of motion. The mobility of the joints is also enhanced in this way. As I have mentioned before, improved flexibility will help ease joint pain and post- exercise soreness.

Reduced Stress: Dancing works wonders when it comes to reducing stress. In particular, studies have shown that partner dancing such as Tango can be especially beneficial for stress relief. Along these same lines, dancing has also been shown to diminish depression in many people. A recent study has shown that people who participated in an upbeat dance group showed much lower levels of depression symptoms while increasing their vitality. It tends to get people out of their heads and into their bodies.

Improved heart function: There is no surprise here. Dancing is a great cardiovascular workout. Dancing can not only help fit individuals maintain their fitness levels; it is also a great activity for those at risk for cardiovascular disease. A recent study has shown that people with heart failure who took up waltzing improved their heart health, breathing, and quality of life significantly compared to those who biked or walked on a treadmill for exercise. Again, what is so wonderful about this is that most people do not even think of dancing as exercise; they think of it as fun.

Weight loss: As with any other form of aerobic exercise, dancing can lead to an increased amount of calories burned, which can therefore lead to weight loss in overweight individuals. It can also help people who are already lean to maintain their current weight. Studies have shown that aerobic dance training is just as helpful for losing weight and increasing aerobic power as cycling and jogging. I remember an interview I saw a long time ago with the legendary Tina Turner. She talked about how healthy she was and how her health and her energy level was a direct result of all of the dancing that she did on stage. Coincidence? I think not.

Improved balance: As people age, their balance tends to become weaker. I have always included balance training in my programs as I think it is very important. Dancing has proven to be a great method for enhancing balance. It requires a lot of fast movement and dance classes also require good posture, so a high frequency of dancing can help people to stabilize and gain better control of their bodies.

Increased energy: Yes, it's true. If you are feeling tired or ungrounded, dancing is a great way to increase your energy level and bring you fully into your body. Research has consistently shown that a weekly dance program can improve physical performance of daily living and increase energy levels among adults.

Making friends: Whether you are dancing at a club, or enrolling in a dance class, dance is a great setting to make new friends and branch out socially. When it comes to wellness, maintaining healthy relationships can be just as important as eating healthy and exercise. Being socially engaged leads to increased happiness, reduced stress, and a stronger immune system.

As you can see, there are many benefits to dancing, whether it be in a club, in a class, or even naked in your living room. Exercise can be fun and this is a great example. I can tell you from personal experience that it has always worked for me. Sometimes, after a long hard day, I would just go to Roscoe's, get up on the boxes, and let loose. I always felt a million times better afterward. As always, just use caution. If you are box dancing, make sure the surface is dry, or at least make sure there is a hot man right there who can catch you if you fall.

Michael Elder has been working as a fitness professional in Chicago for the last thirteen years. He comes from a background in gymnastics and is certified as a personal trainer through the American Council on Exercise (ACE). He can be contacted directly through his website, www.MichaelElder.com.