We all know that exercise is good for you, but what if you’re not a fan of going to the gym or joining a fitness class?
Well, there are plenty of other fun alternatives, like dancing.
“One of the health benefits is cardiovascular. So, it’s an aerobic exercise which helps our body use oxygen, which helps increase our heart rate,” said Kellie Grabfelder, DPT, physical therapist for Cleveland Clinic. “It gets our blood pumping through our body and oxygen to our muscles. And this can even aid in weight loss for people.”
Grabfelder said dancing can also help improve your strength, mobility, flexibility, and balance.
For example, dance may require a person to stand on one leg and reach.
Another benefit to dance is that you don’t actually feel like you’re working out the way you would at the gym, and that can be enticing for many. Beyond the physical, dancing can be a way to socialize with others and make you feel better, too.
“There’s also benefits for our mental health. Dancing helps to release endorphins, which are our feel -good chemicals, and they make us feel good after we exercise,” said Grabfelder. “Again, it gets our heart pumping and gets us sweating, which makes us feel good afterwards. There are also benefits to our coordination and even just our memory planning.”
Grabfelder said all types of dances can be beneficial for your health. However, it’s important to be careful if you have trouble with your balance or are at risk for falling.
She recommends having a chair nearby for support.
Source: ClevelandClinic.org, ccnewsservice@ccf.org
