Teens, I’m sure you’ve been told a million times that exercise is needed to stay healthy. This certainly is true: Exercise is what burns off those extra calories from the second slice of pizza at lunch; helps promote a healthy heart and lungs; and let’s not forget the endorphin rush, the “runner’s high.”
But what if you don’t like running or lifting weights or hitting the gym? For me personally, getting to the gym is difficult and it’s expensive. And running outside? No thank you. I am allergic to pretty much the entire world, not to mention the fact that I’m an asthmatic. And lifting weights isn’t for me.
What was my solution? I joined an open dance class. The one I choose was beginner ballet, because I have a lot of ballet experience. I am able to focus on my actual dance technique because the combinations I’m given are not particularly difficult. The class is only $11 for one hour, and in that hour I get in a deep stretch, a warm-up at the bar, and center work focusing on jumps and spins.
Ballet is what works for me because it is something I’ve always done, but if it isn’t your thing, find a different type of class. There are plenty of jazz, tap, hip-hop, modern and salsa classes out there, not to mention all of the other types of dancing that exist.
Dancing is a full body workout and it’s fun. You get to listen to different types of music, and really feel the beat in your body. In the two months that I have spent taking my current dance classes, I’ve seen a drastic difference in my muscle tone. I have shoulder muscles that I’ve never had before and my legs have never been in such good shape. And when you can have fun and feel good doing it, how can you say no?
Dancing is a cheap and fun alternative to regular workouts, whether it’s salsa dancing, ballroom, hip hop, or even belly dancing. Do it for an hour, and you can burn between 200 and 500 calories, depending on the type of dancing that you choose. And, of course, you can even dance with video games, as you know.
So go ahead, feel the groove. I, for one, choose dancing as my favorite workout method.
Overexercising can also lead to overtraining and injuries, and for girls, a change in menstrual cycles that could lead to bone loss.
