6 Benefits of Attending Dance Classes

Dance! There's nothing like movin' and groovin' to the beat while having fun with your friends and getting a nice workout in. Dancing is known for providing a positive impact on your health, increasing your ability to stay active and healthy throughout the year. It also provides people, who can't otherwise do high intensity workouts, the ability to still do aerobic and anaerobic exercises to improve one's cardiovascular health.

Here are six benefits why you should consider taking dance exercise classes:

1. It's fun!

The more you enjoy your exercise routine, the more likely you are to stick with it. Many people say they have so much fun dancing that they forget they are actually exercising. Grab a friend or two and visit the Summit Area YMCA to take a Zumba class - it will sure be a blast! If you need a guest pass, be sure to get one here for you or your friends. 

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2. GREAT FOR WEIGHT LOSS

Did you know, dancing can burn hundreds of calories an hour? When taking a dance class or dancing by yourself, you are working your entire body the whole time. From your arms to your shoulders and to your feet — you’ll get a full-body workout that doesn’t feel like work. As long as you are moving to the beat, you're exercising. 

3. HELPS YOU DETRESS

Since dance classes is a group activity, you’ll essentially be welcomed into a social situation any time you step into a class. And you and your dance partners can destress after a long day because you'll be exposed to a social and fun environment and an effectively designed workout that you can follow along with. You won't have to worry about a particular workout routine, our instructors have it all figured out! You'll get moving and you won't have to think about anything that is stressful. 

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4. IMPROVES COORDINATION

Have two left feet? Don't fret! The more classes you attend, and the more you are exposed to dancing, you'll be a dancing protégé. Your arms and legs are generally moving in different directions so it requires a good deal of coordination. Repeated practice improves coordination and helps you feel more comfortable moving your body.

5. BOOSTS YOUR HEART HEALTH

You not only get aerobic benefits (it really gets your heart rate up), you also get anaerobic benefits – the kind that help you maintain a good cardiovascular respiratory system. Additionally, dancing has proven to decrease blood pressure and body weight when practicing in a consistent routine. 

6. EXPLORE CULTURAL dance traditions

The Summit Area YMCA strives to provide the community with opportunities to explore, learn and, welcome other cultures into their lives. One way the organization incorporates different cultures is by offering dance classes that showcases cultural traditions such as Bollywood and Cardio Salsa. Our Bollywood class infuses together a variety of dance genres such as bhangra dance, hip-hop, Arabic and jazz dance and got it's name in the 1960s when Bollywood dancing was heavily used in Indian films in order to tell the story. Cardio Salsa is a fun-filled dance class based on the Latin dance style of Salsa. This dance class is inclusive and is suitable for anyone regardless of age, or level of ability!

There's plenty of other reasons to incorporate dancing into your workout, but now's the time to sign up for your next dance class and get movin'!

Be sure to check out our online schedules - classes are added everyday and our dance classes are always expanding. Looking to add to our growing dance class list, feel free to add your suggestion to our suggestion box or contact Valeria Tenreiro, Summit Area YMCA - Health and Wellness Director, at valeria.tenreiro@thesay.org. 

schedules

Questions? Contact:

VALERIA TENREIRO

Wellness Director
SUMMIT AREA YMCA

valeria.tenreiro@thesay.org

(908)273-3330 Ext. 1137

SUMMIT AREA YMCA

BERKELEY HEIGHTS YMCA | SUMMIT YMCA | THE LEARNING CIRCLE YMCA

In 1886, we were founded as the Young Men's Christian Association, but today, we are The Y. An association that values, and is made stronger by, its diverse people. We stand for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility — For a better us. We are committed to creating equal opportunity for all regardless of gender, age, disability, income, ethnicity, sexual orientation or religious affiliation. We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive culture in which our four core values — responsibility, honesty, caring and respect — are integral to everyday operations.

Each year, as one of the area’s leading 501(c)3 charitable organizations, the Summit Area YMCA serves more than 15,000 individuals with our free and fee-based programs and services in an area spanning the New Jersey communities of Berkeley Heights, Gillette, Millburn, New Providence, Short Hills, Springfield, Stirling and Summit. Our history is rooted in working side-by-side with our neighbors to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. Through the generosity of our members, donors, and partners, we are able to offer financial assistance for our programs and services to those in need.