Dance for Exercise

Dancing has grown in popularity, especially with the emergence of television shows such as Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance" and Oxygen's "Dance Your Ass Off." Dancing is fun, but it's also a great form of exercise. According to a report by "CBS News," many doctors say dancing is a perfect way for people of any age to get excellent cardiovascular exercise. Doctors have even started prescribing dance to overweight patients. Here are a few fun ways to dance your way to a healthier body.

  1. Hip-Hop Dance

    • Hip-hop gets your body moving because the dance steps are fast-paced and fun. According to Lance Armstrong's health and fitness website LiveStrong.com, hip-hop dancing particularly helps build abdominal muscle. Since MTV's "The Grind," a hip-hop dance show, aired in the 90s, hip-hop exercise programs began popping up all over the place. You can watch and learn dance steps and participate in the routine. You can even purchase hip-hop dance videos made by professional choreographers and dancers. Not only will you lose weight, you'll also be able to bust a move the next time you go to a club.

    Ballroom Dance

    • Thanks to ABC's "Dancing with the Stars," ballroom dance is now considered "cool." And, in fact, a 2003 study published in the "New England Journal of Medicine" found that ballroom dancing at least twice a week made people less likely to develop dementia. As you learn the steps, you will develop your creativity and expand your mind, and as you perform the steps, you will burn calories and develop lean muscle. Ballroom dancing also improves posture and enhances self-confidence.

    Other Dance Styles

    • If you haven't figured out what dance style you would like to do for exercise, try experimenting with a few different styles first and research the health benefits of each one. Ballet may be difficult to learn, but it improves posture and flexibility. Salsa is fast-paced and spicy. It mostly works on your hips and upper legs. Pole dancing has become popular and works your upper body. Tap-dancing offers great cardiovascular benefits, but is difficult to learn. The important thing is to find a dance style that suits you best. It doesn't matter if you choose hip-hop, ballroom or salsa, all that matters is that you get up and get moving. Dancing is fun, exciting and an excellent way to get in shape. Get shakin'.