Before you sign up for any dance lessons, know which one is the right sort of workout for you. The most important thing is that you pick up the correct dance for your first dance lesson, because if you go to the dance class and the energy level is too high for you, you may probably prefer going back home and watching dance reality shows like Dance India Dance, Jhalak Dikh La Ja and Just Dance instead.
Music is the best place to begin with, if you have inclination towards rock ‘n’ roll, then a swing class is great for you. If you like old classic kind of music, a ballroom class is most suitable. I would like to give you a breakdown on a few styles of dance. Surely there is one here that will get you away from all the reality dance shows and onto the dance floor:
Cha Cha Cha:
Description: It’s a sexy Latin dance form
Intensity level: Medium
Type of workout: Hips
Note: Your body will loosen up as it gives you a lot of flexibility
Samba:
Description: Flamboyant dance form
Intensity level: Fast
Type of workout: Cardio
Note: If you can do a triple step without falling down, you can do the samba
Jive:
Description: Rocking dance to 30s and 40s music
Intensity Level: Very high impact
Type of workout: Cardio
Note: It is so fast and takes up so much of energy that after doing a four minutes of jive, you will have to sit down and take a quick break
Waltz:
Description: Rise and fall style Ballroom dance
Intensity level: Low
Type of workout: Legs
Note: You are not moving your upper body at all. Also, waltz dances are the most beautiful form of dances
Bachata:
Description: Cha Cha Cha with a kick
Intensity level: High
Type of workout: Lower body
Note: It is a very sexy, close dance and burns a lot of energy. It is 1-2-3-kick, 1-2-3-kick.
Merengue:
Description: Walking in place, a Latin dance
Intensity level: Low
Type of workout: Hips
Note: A great dance if you enjoy the Latin club scene
Rumba:
Description: Slower sensual ballroom dance
Intensity level: Low
Type of workout: Hips
Note: A rumba would be great to introduce you to the world of dance
Country & Western:
Description: Two steps or triple two steps
Intensity level: High
Type of workout: Cardio
Note: Lots of spinning, a very aerobic dance. It’s synchronised, so everyone has to work together
East coast swing:
Description: Simpler swing dance
Intensity level: High
Type of workout: Cardio
Note: If you are in a good shape but not a dancer, an east coast swing is a great dance to get you started
West coast swing:
Description: Improvisational boogieing
Intensity level: Medium to high
Type of workout: Upper body
Note: It is the best dance in the world because of its creativity
Salsa:
Description: It is a saucy Latin dance form
Intensity level: Medium to high
Type of workout: Lower body
Note: Great dance to teach you hand and leg coordination as it involves fast hand changes and leg movements .