Dance your way to a happier healthier you

In Trinidad, Zumba has gained popularity in gyms because Trinidadians love music, pulsating rhythms, and dance.

Zumba combines all of that with exercise. This fun form of exercise burns between 350 and 650 calories in an hour if you weigh between 120-170 pounds and workout at full intensity throughout the entire class. Salsa, ballroom dancing and disco burn approximately 396 calories an hour, while slow forms of dancing such as the waltz burn much less, at about 216 calories per hour depending on the intensity of the routine and your performance.

The best part of dancing for exercise is the music and movement. The beat energises you, giving you the vitality you require to feed into the workout. Even after a most taxing day at the office, school or at home with the family, you can look forward to your exercise routine. Dance is fun, relaxes the mind and allows the stresses of the day to fade away in its pulsating rhythms, while supporting your weight loss goals or maintain your desired physique.

Dance in all its various forms improve balance and coordination, however, some forms of dance are more effective than others. The Argentinian tango, for example, requires lots of twists, leg kicks and torso rotations. It requires keeping your centre of balance stable to make sure you don’t lose your step as you twist and turn. While b-boy dancing requires that you work your entire body especially your core and upper body.

Dance fitness provides motivation to continue working out on a regular basis. There is no single dance type that you must choose, but rather a large variety of dance classes that you can sample and select based on your preferences. Dance fitness classes are offered at fitness centres/gyms, dance centres and even community centres. In addition, several companies have produced dance-oriented aerobic workouts that can be purchased on DVD and performed in the comfort of your own home.

For example, Turbo Jam, Hip Hop Abs by Shaun T and Zumba. Many of these popular dance workouts offer free sample routines on YouTube, so you can try it at home before making the investment.

There are several types to choose from when deciding which dance best suites your personal fitness goals and your personal taste. The more common types of dance fitness and at least one place where you can experience it are as follows: Ballet Dance Fitness Classes are ideal for adults and adolescents. They’re designed to improve posture and increase flexibility in your muscles, ligaments and tendons.

Ballet-oriented dance fitness classes also increase muscular strength and cardiovascular endurance, and promote grace, poise and elegance in your movements. In Trinidad, the ‘Le Ballet School’ located in St Augustine Trinidad offers ballet classes for beginner’s whether child or adult.

Basic Ballroom Dance Fitness Classes involve performing the basic steps associated with various types of ballroom dances like the Cha-Cha, Foxtrot, Jive, Quickstep, Rumba, Salsa, Samba, Tango and the Waltz. Each of these ballroom-dance types focus on improving flexibility, balance, co-ordination, cardiovascular endurance and muscular tone. Eugene Joseph Trinidad Dance Theatre offers classes in various dance disciplines at various locations in Trinidad.

Hip-Hop Dance Fitness Classes receive their inspiration from break dancing, street dancing and jazz, and emphasise rhythm and high energy when performed. Hip-hop dance fitness classes tend to burn a high number of calories, and are tailored to individuals who enjoy hip-hop music and are looking to lose excess body weight. Loose-fitting, comfortable clothing is recommended when performing a hip-hop dance fitness class. The Trinidad and Tobago Dance Community, located in Port-of-Spain is one of the organisations that promotes and highlights urban dance.

Pure Latin Dance Fitness Classes are typically performed by couples or individuals with a partner. Pure Latin danceoriented classes include dance styles like the Cha-Cha, Jive, Rumba, Salsa and Samba. Like many other dance styles, pure Latin dance styles promote improvements in cardiovascular endurance, muscle tone, balance and coordination.

In addition, these types of dance movements tend to be sophisticated, high energy and enjoyable to perform.

Salsamology Dance Academy located in St Augustine, Tunapuna, Arima, San Fernando, Woodbrook, Tacarigua, and Port-of-Spain provide classes in many dance styles.

Street Dance Fitness Classes utilise several different styles of dance and are typically performed with a high level of energy. Street dance fitness classes promote cardiovascular and muscular development and require balance and co-ordination between the participants.

In addition, the high-energy nature of the dance routines is an excellent way to relieve stress and calm the mind.

Island Hop Dance Workshops located at Picton Street, Newtown, Port-of-Spain offer the opportunity to experience street dance with Trini flavour.

Each of the different dance styles incorporate several similar movements and concepts, though each is unique. For this reason, you will want to assess each of the dance types to determine which of them best suits not only your personal fitness goals, but also your personality. Keep in mind that you can try these in the comfort of your own home before committing finances by looking at the free videos on YouTube.

Remember that learning the dance technique associated with each of the dance styles will require discipline, although they should be a lot more fun than a general workout. As with any fitness routine, it may be beneficial to exercise with a workout partner or companion to remain dedicated to your workout.