Movement is considered one of the best forms of preventive medicine to protect our health. In a general sense, the more we move, the healthier we tend to be. Movement isn’t restricted to structured exercises. Your body doesn’t really differentiate between walking up a flight of stairs or stepping on a stair climber. The wonderful thing about physical activity is that our bodies inherently know how to recover and adapt.
Why not work towards your health goals while surrounded by a community of like-minded people and listening to upbeat music? Here are some of the benefits you might see from joining in on Zumba or Hip-hop Dance at NIFS.
Rhythm, Positivity, & Community
Music has a way of connecting and bringing people together. Everyone coming into a dance class is there to either have fun, meet people, or find a new way to start moving. Our class keeps manageable intensity levels that are steady with the music beat. Zumba classes often follow a 128-140bpm cadence. The rhythm of the beat keeps the class fun while maintaining an aerobic intensity that is manageable and modifiable. Throughout the class, there are options for participants to modify their moves based on their comfort level and conditioning. Many people like Zumba and Hip-Hop dance because it is communal and there is a simple step of progression. The added challenges are optional, but almost everyone can join the basic moves.
The great thing is that there is no expectation of what level of skill you are at. Our instructors just ask that you move, have fun, and maybe share a smile. There is substantial evidence to support that dancing and being part of a group setting may be profoundly beneficial to our happiness and sense of well-being. You may make some friends and look forward to taking those steps together in every class.
Benefits to Cardiovascular Health
Engaging in steady state aerobics like Hip-Hop dance or Zumba could be a more enjoyable alternative to things like running if that is not your interest. You can reap many of the same benefits of other options in these fun classes, while listening to modern classics and uplifting beats. Many participants prefer to meet their aerobic activity goals in these dance classes. You’ll enjoy this form of exercise because everyone is moving at their own pace, having fun, while supporting their overall health.
Muscle Tone and Strength
Participating in Zumba and Hip-hop dance can activate all the muscles in your body. While the intensity is up to you, muscle activation across the whole body will promote total body muscle tone and development as you move. Dance requires a lot of core stability and movement through full ranges of motion, so expect to use your whole body and not just your lower body.
Coordination and Dance Skills
Stability and motor skills develop through frequency of movement, not necessarily intensity. As you join these fun dance classes, you may notice your body control and coordination will improve gradually. Learning how to dance is also a life skill you’ll take home with you. If you aren’t a natural dancer, that is okay. As you stay consistent with classes, you’ll improve those two left feet you started with. Many people getting into dance for the first time rejoice as they notice their motor skills improve and translate to other aspects of their training. Even athletes can notice benefits by integrating dance into their routine.
Who doesn’t like to get their groove on when the hottest new song comes on? I would not put myself into the category of a “big dancer,” or in fact a dancer at all, but from time to time when a good jam comes on the radio, I am guilty of pulling out my car dance moves.