8 Tips to Get Started in Dance Fitness

There are many benefits to dancing, including the ability to train your mind and body and helping people recover from injuries, illnesses, and diseases. It can be intimidating to take up dance fitness, especially as an adult, because many people don’t believe they have the necessary skills.

Recently, I spoke with Rhea Sheedy (founder of Ballet Fusion), who was trained in the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus. She has more than 15 years of experience teaching pilates, yoga, and ballet.

Are dance workouts appropriate for beginners?

Many dance workouts can be done by beginners. Although it can be difficult to get into the rhythm of a dance class, it is possible.

Are you able to dance without special equipment?

Most dance routines do not require any equipment. Some classes, such as our ballet fitness workouts require some floor work, or may end with a floor stretch. This requires a yoga mat, or comfortable flooring. You’ll only need your body and energy for the rest.

Are there any dancers who should not do them? (e.g. (e.g., persons with reduced mobility or who have been advised by doctors to stop exercising because they have suffered from injuries?

When booking a class or signing up for a dance class, it is important to know what injuries you have. You should be especially cautious if you have hip, knee, ankle, or foot injuries.

You can always ask the instructor for clarification before you begin your class. Also, make sure you stop if there is any discomfort or pain. People should listen to their bodies. If something isn’t right, your body will let you know – don’t ignore it.

To avoid further injury or damage, you should follow any advice you are given to not dance or perform certain exercises due to injury.

You can search online for classes that are accessible to those with reduced mobility. There are many options, such as ‘dance classes to accommodate wheelchair users’, ‘chair-based dancing class’, ‘gentle dancing class’ and ‘over 50s Ballet’.

Sheedy continued, “Dance fitness is possible at any age – at Ballet Fusion our eldest client in her 80s!” It’s important to exercise regularly and with low impact. This is something that people are beginning to realize. It’s a trend and we will continue to see exercise as medicine.

These are her top eight tips to get started in dance fitness:

Find your rhythm

Dance, in its simplest form, is about moving your body to beats. It is important to let the music flow through your body, and to release all inhibitions. In the comfort of your own home, you can put on your favorite playlist and take a few steps to increase your confidence.

Do not overthink it

Dancing is supposed to lower blood pressure. Even the most skilled dancers had to start somewhere. They probably experienced the same nerves as you before your first class. Dance fitness is not about being the best, but moving your body and feeling good.

Bring a friend along

Even though you don’t necessarily need a friend to help you, it is a great idea to have a group of people around you. You can make it a date and invite a friend to join you. Who knows? They might just enjoy it as much as yours!

If you have to do it alone, don’t forget that many others will be in your same situation and you might even make new friends.
You can do some research online to find the right class for you. Instagram is a great place where to start.

Online classes are available

Many dance studios offer online classes for those who are still struggling with nerves due to Covid lockdowns. Ballet Fusion has seen a triple-digit increase in website visitors since March 2020, and we continue to receive more enquiries every week.

We have seen a shift in our client base from 100% being from the UK to as high as 40% from abroad, proving that at-home conditioning classes are a worldwide phenomenon.

Our clients range in age from 25-44, but there are also many who are 55-64. This is why I love it. While older clients may be less inclined to exercise, they can still take online classes.

You can try different classes

Any class that begins with the prefix “beginner” is a good starting point if you are trying to learn how to dance. Being new to something is the most liberating thing about it. You don’t have to conform to any existing habits.

You can try many styles of dance, but you should pay attention to how your body reacts to them and how they connect with the music. Floor barre is a mix of ballet and pilates, making it one of our most loved classes.

There are no awkward standing exercises, and you don’t need much space. You get a great sculpting workout that combines the gracefulness and fluidity of ballet moves with a lot of flexibility. The best thing about this is that many studios offer free trial so you can test before you buy.

You should wear clothes that allow you to move freely

Whatever type of exercise you do you will need the right clothes. You only need to wear comfortable athletic clothes and shoes for dance classes.

However, every studio is different so make sure to read the rules and regulations for your particular studio. We recommend that participants bring a pair studio socks with special grips to use in barre classes.

Be patient and take your time

It is not uncommon for people to feel awkward trying new dance fitness classes. Instead of giving up, try putting your hand on the back or side of the class and focusing on having fun.

After taking a few classes you will become more familiar with the techniques and feel more at ease. This will allow you to enjoy the benefits of the workout and have fun.

Tech to class:

Many of our clients now bring their smartwatches to class. It’s amazing to watch them track their steps, calories burned, and energy levels after class.

It is great to see their satisfaction and it’s really motivating for everyone to be able to see tangible progress.

Dance workouts have many benefits

For many reasons, dance workouts are great:

They increase overall muscle strength: Especially the legs, hips, and core. This allows us to keep healthy, prevent osteoporosis and reduces the risk of injury.

Excellent for coordination: This can be difficult at first, but your brain will get more coordinated as you continue to do so. Your coordination will improve in other areas as well by using your cognitive abilities to coordinate your body and music.

Improves posture. dancing is great for maintaining and improving your posture. Adult ballet requires that we keep our core/abs strong, and our back straight while breathing through the exercises. The various positions allow us to open up the spine by lifting the arms. We are also strengthening our back muscles and releasing tension caused by bad postures (such as sitting at a computer). Bonus: A good posture can reduce our chances of injury and long-term niggles.

Dance releases endorphins. It has been shown that dancing releases more endorphins then other forms of aerobic exercise. Endorphins are associated with more happiness, more positive feelings, better sleep, cognitive function, happier relationships, and greater contentment. It has been proven that dancing can reduce cortisol levels, which leads to lower stress levels.

Excellent for expression: dancing is an expressive and wonderful form of exercise. Our movements allow us to feel the music and its subtleties through our movements. Dance can be used to express emotions, relieve stress, and enjoy the freedom of movement.

The best way to boost your self-confidence is to dance You will learn more about your body as you take classes. You will be amazed at your strength, coordination, and confidence in class.

8 Tips to Get Started in Dance Fitness