Dance Workout in the City

Workouts in the city usually go the same way for most of us – the first six weeks go by without a hitch, eight at the max, and then the workouts stop being fun, and we start slackening, missing classes. Could boredom be a reason for constantly missing workouts? Here’s a solution – instead of jumping classes or switching workout routines often, why not try something new, different and interesting – why not try dance workouts in the city? Dancing for fitness is already a much preferred workout routing in Indian cities these days. Here’s why you should look up dance workout classes in your city today.

Dancing Workouts are Fun! All you have to do is, put on some music and get into the groove. “It won’t feel like a workout- you’re just moving yourbody to music,  it can’t get simpler than that,” says Priti Gupta from Dance Sport India. She goes on to say that with the combination of music and rhythmic moves, your body releases more endorphins or happy hormones that elevate your mood.
Dancing Avoids Boredom. There are so many forms of dance- salsa, meringue, zumba, jive,… the list is endless! Once you have enrolled yourself in a dance centre/class, you can keep learning new moves and forms. You can also keep experimenting with dancing to different kinds of music as well. Get your friend/boyfriend/partner to join the class with you, and you’ll have instant motivation to continue being regular with classes and perform better.
Dancing is a Complete Workout. “Dancing gives your body a complete workout,” says Priti Gupta. “Rumba is good for stretching; it increases your flexibility and builds muscle strength,” she says. “Most dance forms concentrate on your core muscles, especially the back. So with any dance form they are strengthened,” Gupta says. A fast dance form like jive works on your legs, as well as your arms. In fact, she says that two minutes of fast jiving is as good as 15 minutes on the treadmill! Salsa, too, exercises your legs, arms  and butt muscles.
“Belly dancing is a lot of fun. The moves are really great for toning your abs and your arms. Plus, it is a very feminine and sexy dance, so it feels fabulous,” says Aanchal Tulsiani who learnt belly dancing recently.

More Reasons to Start Dancing for Fitness: Dancing will improve your blood circulation. It will also improve your stamina. “Practising different dance moves in continuation will slowly increase your energy levels,” explains Priti Gupta. It is also a form of meditation; since it is just the music and you. you tend to forget everything else while you dance. Moreover, medical research and studies have found that dancing is therapeutic and has a positive, healing effect on our bodies.
Each dance form, whether it’s salsa, street jazz, or the rhumba, has various performance levels – much like any subject of study. This ensures that once you master one level, you never repeat the same routine again.Once you ace each level, you will keep climbing to the next level that will test you physically and tone your body up further. Since it’s always a good idea to switch between and experiment with new workouts to keep challenging and testing your body, this works out well for dance as an alternate workout routine.

So pick your favourite form of dance for a leaner and fitter you! Here are a few places for starting dance workouts in Indian cities:
Arts in Motion, Mumbai
Shiamak Davars Institute of Performing Arts, DelhiShristi Institute of Dance Therapy, BangaloreJohn Britto’s Dance Company, Chennai