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Trying a dance class for the first time can feel a bit intimidating, but once you get moving, you’ll quickly realize how fun it can be. Plus, the health benefits of dancing extend far beyond just one session. Regular dance workouts can improve your cardiovascular fitness, helping you build your endurance so you can dance and move for longer without feeling tired or drained. They also provide a fun, simple way to reduce stress and anxiety, promoting a sense of energy and happiness. Dancing has been shown to boost mood and overall mental well-being, while enhancing self-confidence and body image. As you continue, you’ll likely notice not just physical improvements, but a positive shift in how you feel mentally and emotionally as well.
As a dancer and an osteopathic physician, Poonam Desai, DO, has firsthand experience when it comes to the benefits of dance workouts and dance fitness classes. “Dance not only enhances mental well-being by reducing stress and elevating mood, but it also strengthens physical health by improving strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness,” Dr. Desai says.
Dance workout videos can also help “boost mood, self-esteem, and body image,” according to Darby Bonomi, PhD, a sports and performance psychologist. Dr. Bonomi highlights some of the top benefits of these videos as “stress and anxiety reduction, increased mood, and improved mental health and overall sense of well-being.”
“We start to value our body for what it can do, rather than just how it looks,” Dr. Bonomi says, adding that we can “enjoy increased self-esteem and confidence as we learn, grow, and advance in our skills.”
In addition to improving cardiovascular health, dancing “is focused on movement, sweat, fun, and laughter,” says Yxia Olivares, a dancer, choreographer, and group fitness instructor at Crunch Fitness. “It elevates your mood, improves your memory and coordination, and helps you feel confident and self-assured.”
If you’re trying out dance workouts for the first time or feel nervous about coming back after a long break, it’s still okay to try. “I always tell my newcomers, ‘Get out of your head and into your body.’ By this I mean, don’t compare yourself to anyone else in the room,” Olivares says. “Everyone’s going through a unique journey in their lives. Absorb what you can, just move, and have fun. This is for you, your health, happiness, and longevity, and you get to enjoy it in a no judgments community where you might end up meeting lifelong friends.”
Charlotte Page, a dancer and co-founder of Starpoint Dancesport, reiterates the strength of community. “In a class or group setting, everyone is there for the same reason, and in a way, they are all putting themselves out there in the same way you are. Unlike in a bar or a coffee shop where you have to approach someone first, get in your head, worry what if they don’t want to talk to me, etc., everyone in a class is there to do the same thing for the same reason,” she says. “Everyone is quite literally meeting on the same dance floor – they all have the same opportunities to make friends, move their bodies and feel empowered in doing so.”
And, all these professionals note, health benefits of dancing go far beyond just one session. Here’s how you could benefit from dance workouts:
Feeling a little sore after dancing your heart out? After “a fun yet intensive full-body workout, proper recovery is essential. I enjoy adding Dr. Teals Pure Epsom Salt Soaks to my bath for a magnesium boost with essential oils,” Dr. Desai says. “A simple 20-minute magnesium soak helps to reset my body and calm my mind for a restful night so I am ready for my next routine.”
We’ve put together a list of the best 30-minute dance workout videos on YouTube for you to explore and try. These free videos are suitable for all levels, whether you’re just starting out or have some experience out on the dance floor. These dance workouts offer a fun and accessible way to mix up your fitness routine. Grab a friend and give them a try.
Experts Featured in This Article:
Poonam Desai, DO, is an an osteopathic physician and professional dancer.
Darby Bonomi, PhD, is a sports and performance psychologist.
Charlotte Page is a dancer and co-founder of Starpoint Dancesport in Wellington, FL.
Yxia Olivares is a professional dancer, choreographer, and group fitness instructor for PlusOne, an Optum company, and at Crunch Fitness.