5x30, more active more often

Types of activity: Dance

< Back to activity index

From jazz to disco, dancing is enjoyed and revered by people all over the world. It is also a great way to strengthen muscles and relieve stress. Everyone, regardless of body type or ability, can enjoy and reap the health benefits of active dance. You can dance in the privacy of your own home, at a club or even while sitting in a chair.

The type of dance you choose will decide which of the major muscle groups in your back, legs, buttocks and calves you use. Dancing improves muscle stamina as well as strength and also gets you breathing harder too!

	Here is a taster of the different types of active dance you can do. Jive Dance Jive dance can be for all age groups and is a particularly good activity for keeping active and socialising. However videos are available for home use if you don’t fancy going out. For further information on www.eutek.co.uk

	Line Dancing This is the 2nd most popular recreation in the UK (www.lifesadance.co.uk). It is a good form of physical activity as gentle heart and lung exercise, also for keeping you supple and exercising those muscles. This is particularly beneficial if you do no other form of exercise. You can put as much or as little energy into your dancing as you like. It is also great fun.

	Belly Dancing Belly dancing encourages movements from the torso rather than in the legs and feet. The dance often focuses upon isolating different parts of the body, moving them independently in patterns, weaving together the entire feminine form. It is good fun exercise! For more information go to www.bellywobble.co.uk or www.letsshimmy.co.uk

	Salsa Dancing What is danced today has grown from its Afro-Cuban roots to become a vibrant Latin American Partner dance which has become very popular due to its upbeat rhythms and style. The music of salsa can be just as addictive as the dance! For further information go to www.salsa4.com or www.dancesouthwest.org.uk

	Ballroom Dancing Ballroom dancing is a less intense version of dancing than salsa, but by no means any less active! It can be described as when two people dance together with one leading or deciding what steps the couple will do and the other one following. There are two different styles of Ballroom dancing, International Style and American Style. For more information go to www.danceworksdevon.com

See the ‘Where to find physical activities’ and facilities for further details on different types of active dance.

< Back to activity index