One of the problems people run into when they start talking about exercise and fitness is that they don’t like to ‘exercise.’ ‘Exercise’ is boring. Truthfully, dating back to gym class, who really liked running laps? Doing sit-ups? Doing push-ups? Very few of us. Today, doing sit-ups, crunches, push-ups, leg-ups, leg presses, bicep curls, triceps presses and flies may sound like the ideal recipe for a mind-numbing, body pain inflicting experience.
And you know what, that’s okay. If you really hate exercise, there’s no rule that says you have to like it. Frankly, I hate reality television. I don’t find it remotely entertaining and I’d rather drill my own teeth than be forced to watch it. It doesn’t matter if nothing else is on the television – I’ll read a book, do laundry or go play solitaire with real cards before I’d watch reality television because it’s the only option available on network television. (Thankfully, that trend seems to be abating.)
So I totally understand the people out there who want to get fit, but the idea of exercising day in and day out is about as appealing as watching paint dry. Actually, in some cases, I think watching paint dry might be more interesting to them. So, for those of you out there who are sitting there and nodding your heads and saying yep, that’s me – this blog’s for you.
Fitness is about more than push-ups, sit-ups and running two miles daily. It’s about a state of mind and a lifestyle. It’s about performing a workout that gets your heart rate up, burns off the fat and builds muscle and flexibility. Weights and running may be the network television options, but luckily – we have access to a multitude of cable and satellite options.
So let’s call this the ‘move’ or ‘groove’ channel of fitness programming. Dancing is a great way to get in shape and stay in shape. No, you won’t build intense muscle while dancing, but you will build lean muscle. Dancing involves using the whole body and this isn’t just about going clubbing every Friday night and dancing until 2 a.m. This is about getting your groove on every day at home, at the office or at the gym.
Did I just say gym?
Yes, yes I did. Gyms all over the country have not only heard your doldrums about the availability of exercise programming, but they’ve responded. Yoga is no longer a niche market, but offered at a multitude of gyms nationwide. Dancing, once limited to just dance studios, is also making a comeback.
You might be thinking that dancing means aerobics, well – don’t knock aerobics, check out how many aerobics classes are available at your local gyms. It’s not just step. It’s not just weights. It’s not just hop, hop, step, and step anymore. There are hip-hop dance classes, belly dancing (yes belly dancing!) and veil classes. What’s a veil class? It’s a class that focuses on grace and motion using yes, veils. You move to drums – Middle Eastern, Indian or even Native American. You use the veils to create long graceful sweeping motions.
So how the heck is that fitness?
Take a belly dancing class and find out. The type of muscle control required in belly dancing makes it a fantastic abdominal workout. I took a seven-week belly dancing class and let me tell you, your abs are SORE after the first couple of ‘real’ classes.
The point is – dancing is fun. You get to move to the music. You get to learn some new steps and it’s a fantastic way to stay in shape. SO if you hate the Stairmaster and you’d rather do your taxes than lift weights, check out the local availability of dance classes at your gyms, fitness centers and even at local dance schools that have latched on to offering adult level ‘fun fitness’ classes. You’ll rev up your heart, increase you flexibility and get to strut your stuff!