Pilates, aerobics, cardio and weights – these oft-heard words are yawn-inducingly tiresome to the ears of people who want to be fit, but are not fitness enthusiasts. But, in a colourful country like ours, which loves its songs and dances, we don’t necessarily have to resort to going to the gym to get fit. We have access to loads of fun and sexy dance forms, which can help us shimmy off the extra kilos, while having a good time. After all, how much motivation can one gather every day for a boring activity? It’s better to just try something we actually look forward to doing. That is why the following dance exercise trends, which are on the rise, beat hitting the treadmill, any day!
Belly dancing
Quite the rage thanks to Shakira and our very own Sheila, belly dancing became a rage in the early 2000s, and continues to be a popular dance form which is great for working the core. Focusing mainly on footwork to help move the waist, belly dancing is one of the best workouts out there. Not only that, its Middle-Eastern origins are apparently related to helping pregnant women birth babies more easily with the movements.
Zumba
More than just a dance, Zumba is actually a fitness programme developed around dancing, mostly to Latin American music. Extremely popular now, Zumba classes are available in most big cities. Otherwise, YouTube is full of channels with instructions and demonstrations of the same. The lively music and energetic vibe make you feel like you’re at a beach party. This exercise can be enjoyed by men, women and kids, alike!
Pole dancing
Relatively new in India, but still embraced by many, including the fit and fine Jacqueline Fernandez, pole dancing is not an easy dance form at all. Great for people who already have good core strength, pole dancing helps develop muscles, balance and flexibility. If you have joint pain, back problems or poor fitness, this might not be the best exercise to start with.
Jazz dancing
Want killer legs and toned thighs? The leaps, kicks and jumps in jazz dancing are perfect for that. Much like ballet, jazz is all about flexibility, balance and great posture. Jazz also involves using a lot of hand movements, leading to a good arm workout as well. All in all, this intense and sexy dance form helps you move your body in a dramatic yet graceful way, toning a LOT of muscles.
Bollywood dancing
You don’t need us to tell you that Bollywood dancing is a great workout. An eclectic mix of moves, from bhangra to reggae, and classical Indian dance to contemporary, Bollywood dancing helps you work each muscle in your body, making sure you have the best time getting fit! Even better? You don’t need to take classes for this – all the moves you need to try are easily available on your T.V. screen!
Hip Hop
Anyone who has watched any movie in the Step Up series, knows how hardcore a workout hip hop dancing is. If not, you must have watched hip hop stars like Usher and Beyoncé shake up the dance floor with their uber-flexible moves. So, if you want to be the best dancer in the room, hip hop is the dance form that needs to be in your arsenal. It works with many kinds of music, involves a fair bit of creativity and free-styling, and gives you an intensive workout.
