Fun Dance Exercise Routines

There is no doubt that society has become more health conscious over the last few years. The importance of eating healthy and getting your daily dose of exercise is stressed in advertisements, in talk shows and in magazines. For many who think of exercise, they imagine a grueling workout which resembles work; they do it because they have to, not because they want to. But you don't have to dread exercise; it can be made fun and one way this can happen is through dance.

Do the Cha Cha

• If you're looking to put some zest in your step, burn some calories and enjoy what you're doing, try the dance that originated from Cuba. Not only do the movements make your thighs and buttocks stronger, it's great for your hips, calves and lower back as well. As you twist your hips, the localized movement also helps work your abdominals; an added toning bonus. This is an exercise that can be performed by everyone form beginners to advanced exercisers, and it is low-impact, so your risk of injury is minimal.

Be a Belly Dancer

• Many correlate belly dancing with thin women with perfect bodies. However, using belly dancing as a form of exercise helps to trim the figure while you imagine yourself with that perfect figure. The music is unique and, at times, sensual, and performing the movements for at least 30 minutes is terrific for losing weight. They help work the larger muscles of the body, such as the legs and the hips, resulting in a larger calories and fat burn, and the isolated rib-cage movements help tone the abdominals.

Do a Line Dance

• For years, line dancing has been a popular trends in dance clubs around the country. Those who love music and dancing, regardless of their shape or size, would get on the dance floor joining fellow music lovers, to perform the latest line dance, all in unison. Having so much fun, they often stay on the floor for one song after another, not realizing the dances they are performing are actually a form of low-impact aerobic exercise. Some of the more popular line dances, such as the Boot Scoot, Tush Push, Electric Slide and Achy Breaky, are now available on an instructional DVD for people to do in the comfort of their home. The steps are easy to learn and once mastered, you forget you are exercising and become swept away in the fun the dances offer. These are great for friends to do together, or for you to do alone.