It’s official. The world has gone dancing mad with shows like Strictly Come Dancing now a popular fixture on most countries’ TV schedules.
If you’re just sitting back watching it from the comfort of your own sofa with a bag of chips, you’re missing out. Missing out on the fun and especially the fitness that dancing can bring you.
Think dancing is best left to the professionals? Wrong again. There is a dance class and style for everyone, from beginners to the veterans of the dancefloor.
If you’re liking what you see on the TV, then there’s every chance you’ll love getting involved even if you do have two left feet. Especially if you’re that person who would rather watch paint dry than take part in more typical fitness endeavours.
Right, grab your dance shoes and take a look at these dance styles that burn a ton of calories. While you’re screaming with joy during these fun classes, your fat cells will be screaming for mercy. Win-win.
Salsa
A great dance style to pick up for beginners and has the benefit of, well, looking absolutely hot when mastered.
You can’t help but feel the attraction when you see two expert salsa dancers going for it in this high-energy latin couples dance. That could be you.
Great for your core with all of the movement from the hips and waist.
Calories burned: around 400-500 calories an hour (depending on bodyweight)
Hip-Hop
An expressive, modern dance style that requires big movements of the body. These large movements mean more muscles moved, which in turn means more calories burned.
The great thing about hip-hop dance is that there is no fixed style and moves can often be freestyled. Even if you’re off-rhythm, it’s cool. You just invented your own little dance. Of course, if you do have rhythm, you’ll enjoy this dance more. It will come with practice so don’t quit.
Calories burned: 350-600 calories an hour (depending on dance intensity and bodyweight)
Bollywood
Something different. If you want a dance from a far away land, then this famous Indian style has you covered.
This dance is fun, expressive and can burn calories. It can be picked up as a beginner and be taken all the way up to expert level.
It requires strength in your legs and will test your stamina with the upbeat style.
Calories burned: 300-500 calories an hour (depending on intensity of the choreography and your bodyweight)
Swing
Test your strength (and your partners) with this dance that will have you swinging your partner around.
How intense this workout is will ultimately depend on the fierceness of the choreography, but you can start light and work your way up to moderate intensity and beyond.
Supporting the weight of your partner will have your core and every muscle in your body awake and contracting. A fantastic all-round calorie burner.
Calories burned: 300-600 calories per hour (depending on intensity, yours and your partner’s bodyweight.)
Other notable mentions and popular dance styles you might want to pick up:
- Ballet (350 to 450 calories per hour)
- Ballroom (150 to 350 calories per hour)
- Tap (200 to 600 calories per hour)
- Contemporary (varies wildly depending on style and intensity)
- Pole dancing (200 to 400 calories per hour)
- Zumba (up to 600 calories per hour)
- Country/Folk (250 to 450 calories per hour)
- Cha cha (400 calories approx per hour)
- Jive (300 to 400 calories per hour)
The dance you see on your TV isn’t just a fantasy reserved for the professionals. They all started where you are now, decided that they liked what they saw and gave it a go. You should do the same. Taking up dance may just be the perfect blend of fitness and fun you were looking for.