From ballroom to Bokwa, there’s a dance
workout for everyone. Sarah Ivory unearths the latest ways to step up your
fitness
Want to know why singer Katherine Jenkins
looks so fit and fabulous right now? Blame it on the boogie! She hit headlines
recently after shedding an amazing two dress sizes competing on US
entertainment show Dancing With The Stars. And celebs like Katherine aren’t the
only ones wise to the benefits of a good old shimmy. Dance classes are among
some of the hottest workouts across the world at the moment, according to
ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal.
Not only does dancing blast calories, boost
your strength and up your aerobic fitness, it’s great fun, which means you
don’t even notice that you’re working out. Throw in the added benefits of
building stronger bones, lifting your mood and reducing your stress levels and
it’s not hard to see why dancing is so popular. And the best bit? The bigger
the trend, the more options you have to choose from! Whether you’re into
ballroom, Zumba or hip-hop, there’s a dance class out there to suit you. We’ve
rounded up the latest crazes hitting gyms and studios near you, to help you get
your groove on and boost your fitness!
From
ballroom to Bokwa, there’s a dance workout for everyone.
Dance And Tone…
Zumba Toning
This new take on the hugely popular dance
craze mixes reggaeton, conga hip-hop, merengue hip-hop and techno dance styles.
The result? A fabulous body-sculpting class… With maracas!
‘Zumba Toning is a targeted workout that
uses 1Ib and 2.5Ib maraca-like toning sticks,’ reveals creator Beto Perez.
‘You’ll learn how to use the sticks to enhance your sense of rhythm, while
toning your arms, abdominals, butt and thighs. ’ It's a total-body workout!
Burning an impressive 750-1,000 calories
per class, Zumba Toning is the perfect way to pummel those pounds – while you
shake your booty!
Bokwa
Inspired by South African dance, Bokwa is
tipped to be the next big thing in fitness. Combining boxing with the unique
South African dance style kwaito, Bokwa blasts fat and builds strength, stamina
and flexibility, while teaching you some seriously sharp moves. Plus, it comes
with a sign language all of its own!
‘The hand signals give dancers time to put
the most into the workout,’ explains creator Paul Mavi. ‘Signature moves, such
as the “shincha” are used to signal a change of direction, so everyone knows
where to go.’ Fast-paced and energetic, it’s a really fun way to get fit. Watch
out, Zumba, we’ve found your new rival!
Inspired
by South African dance, Bokwa is tipped to be the next big thing in fitness
Seen On Screen Fitness
Stop toe-tapping to Jessie J tunes and
learn how to dance like the real deal at a Seen on Screen Fitness (SOSF) class.
SOSF instructors have all toured with A-list stars like Rihanna, Beyoncé and
Jessie J, and now they want to work with you!
‘SOSF brings the glamour of music tours to
dance lovers everywhere,’ says director Bonnie Parsons. ‘You’ll burn around 400
calories per class, which is as much energy as you’d use at the gym.’ Whether
you want to master moves from a hip-hop, street or pop artist, you’ll have so
much fun grooving to their chart-topping hits that you won’t even notice you’re
breaking a sweat!
Find out more: SOSF run weekly classes at
London’s Central YMCA for £12.
Visit www.seenonscreenfitness.com.
Street Fit
Searching for an exciting and upbeat new
workout? Enter Street Fit. Harnessing the aerobic and muscle -toning aspects of
street-dance, Street Fit is a hip-hop based class that’s bags of fun – making
you forget you’re sweating!
Street
Fit
‘During a Street Fit class you’ll warm up
all muscle groups and attack them with unique street dance routines,’ says
Street Fit’s Suzanne Burt. ‘Once you’ve tried it, you’ll be hooked!’ And you
don’t need to worry about your dancing skills, as classes are available for all
levels.
Find out more: Classes are priced from
£3-£6. For more info, visit www.streetfit .t v.
Charlestonercise
Based on 1920s dance craze the Charleston,
this class will transform your workout into a social event. ‘Charlestonercise
is a fun way to exercise in a vintage outfit, ’ says founder Anthony Padgett.
‘The moves stretch joints, and tone your legs, arms, waist and back.’ With
‘crazy knees’ and ‘flapper’ moves, this is a real treat!
Find out more: Attend a class for US$7.5 at
Matt & Phreds Jazz Club, Manchester, or try the Vintage Dance Exercise
Workout DVD (US$29.9, www. charlestonercise.co.uk).
Based
on 1920s dance craze the Charleston, this class will transform your workout
into a social event.
Westend Workout
Calling all Dirty Dancers! Created with
musical-lovers in mind, this class mixes dance with the best show tunes.
‘A WestEnd Workout class will boost your
fitness, while you have fun dancing to a brilliant soundtrack,’ says founder
Laura Colenso. ‘Each sequence revolves around repetitions, making it easy to
master the moves.’ Big Patrick Swayze fan? This is the class for you.
Find out more: WestEnd Workout classes cost
£7. Visit www.westendworkout.com.
