If you’re unsure about whether dancing is the right exercise for you or your child, you might be surprised to learn that this sport is one of the best physical activities you can take part in.
From flexibility, coordination, balance and control, to stamina, dancing regularly grows your skills and abilities in a whole range of ways. This form of movement also helps build the strength and endurance you need for other sports you may take part in.
Dancers are amongst the fittest athletes from around the world. A report from the University of Hertfordshire compared ballerinas from the Royal Ballet with a squad filled with both British and international swimmers. The Royal Ballet dancers scored higher in 7 out of 10 areas of physical fitness.
Here are some of the ways dance can benefit you:
Health benefits
As well as making you feel good in your mind and building a great physique, dance benefits your internal organs. In 2006, an Italian study concluded dancing is a very good exercise for heart patients when compared to other aerobic exercises.
Dancing helps control oxygen levels, lower bad cholesterol and is routinely suggested for those over 50 as an exercise for their mental health and organ health. Older people have found that it improves their bone density and strength.
Being low impact also means dance is ideal for growing bodies. Taking part in regular classes builds a healthy metabolism and strong bones.
Physical benefits
Dancing combines a range of muscles and body movement. It focuses a lot on core strength, which helps you maintain body symmetry and reduce the likelihood of injury.
And there’s no denying dancers look great! Putting so much work into their bodies means they are toned and healthy. They have the energy to tackle everything in life head-on.
Mental benefits
Beyond physical health, dancing has been found to make a huge difference to mental health in both adults and children.
A Swedish study of 112 teenage girls, all with a varying degree of problems; from chronic pain to depression, confirms this theory. Researchers found the girls who attended weekly dance classes reported improved mental health for up to eight months after the classes ended.
Other than this study, dance has been shown to improve focus, creativity, and even improve discipline.
Social benefits
There is also no denying that dance is a social activity. Whether in a class at a dance school or a gym, there will always be an element of interacting with others and improving your social wellbeing.
Dance is a great way to make connections and keep social interactions up and all in a friendly and happy environment. Moving in this way releases endorphins, so many find the entire atmosphere of a dance class a positive one.
It is rare to find such a varied amount of health benefits in such a low-level fitness class for all ages. This is truly the biggest advantage of dancing — anyone can do it and everyone can reap the rewards. With all these fitness and mental health benefits from dancing, there is no better time than now for you or your child to start your dance fitness journey.
