Salsa dancing is emerging as a refreshing replacement for conventional aerobic exercises. Classes based on the fiery music and movements of Salsa, Mambo, Cumbia, Merengue and more are starting to get people interested in Salsa dancing, while at the same time giving them a pounding workout.
Salsa music first appeared in the 1960s as a rhythmic fusion, birthed in the cultural melting pot of New York City. Combining Cuban Son with Guaracha, Montuno and Guaguanco, it also has a strong Puerto Rican Plena, Bomba and American jazz influence that mellows the smoking urban sound.
Salsa's popularity began to percolate beyond the borders of the Latin neighborhoods in the early Seventies, spreading into New York's ballrooms and dance halls. Although somewhat formulized when practiced by those who favor profession competitions, salsa dancing in its most traditional form is typically spontaneous and extremely energetic. Dance movements alternate between the very slow and the furious, an embodiment of its lively musical style.
From a strictly athletic point of view, a night of dancing is a superb workout. It merges aerobic and anaerobic training, working your stamina and leg strength. Any kind of dancing is a great way to build the perfect body shape. The continual movements build up aerobic stamina while steadily burning calories over the course of the evening. This helps to strengthen and tone your legs at the same time you lose weight. But salsa excels at this.
Experts say that dancing salsa can burn up to 10 calories a minute, without the negative side effects of high impact exercises such as running. You can learn salsa dancing in the privacy of your home or in a studio, with or without a partner and it's a fitness program that can easily be integrated into your social life. By using salsa dancing to get fit, you will not only look great, but you'll have no excuse not to get out more and improve your social life.
The sudden bursts of frenzied dancing in Salsa also can help to improve the anaerobic fitness essential to sports like sprinting, swimming and basketball. Equally important to the aerobic paybacks are the improvements in flexibility and dexterity, a commonly overlooked facet of fitness. Elasticity from dancing will help your swiftness, power and co-ordination by growing your overall range of motion.
When you think about it, dance is actually the most natural form of exercise around. It is also a lot more fun. Life is too short to waste on regimented aerobics, spinning and step classes. Put some spice in your fitness regimen and become a Salsero!
David Demetre is an author and the webmaster at http://www.dance-shoes.biz, where you can find tips and resources on Salsa Dance Shoes
A question I am frequently asked by females is, "What... Read More
For many years exercise science has perpetuated the concept of... Read More
Did you know that walking is the number one participation... Read More
Approach a New Exercise Program Like a New LoverHow many... Read More
These days many people spend a significant part of their... Read More
Even when you cannot make it out to walk or... Read More
Pilates is a system of over 500 controlled exercises that... Read More
At any point, we can pick up the latest fitness... Read More
I'm sure you've heard the following statement over and over... Read More
Welcome to article number 4 in our series "Bodybuilding Sins... Read More
Success is what you are prepared to make of yourself... Read More
The best exercise for the stomach is probably not the... Read More
So you want to lose weight? Chances are, you'll spend... Read More
Hiking along a rocky trail, two of the three friends... Read More
If you are a seasoned runner you know the importance... Read More
Most of us have trained at one part in our... Read More
Quite often runners and exercisers experience painful muscle cramping either... Read More
The exercise program you choose depends entirely on your fitness... Read More
Exercise can be very beneficial for arthritis sufferers, often relieving... Read More
People with arthritis should exercise ? but they need to... Read More
There are people who are fond of getting an exercise... Read More
Already dedicated exercisers make small but costly mistakes regularly in... Read More
In fitness, as in war, you want to be on... Read More
So you've been a mother for a while. Good for... Read More
Yoga traditionally conjures up images of long hair, loin cloths... Read More
For many people out there trying to become more energised... Read More
Making exercise a priority is a challenge for everyone. And... Read More
Long before you can enter into triathalon racing, you will... Read More
Different Health Problems generally do not allow us to do... Read More
Are there flat tummy exercises that are the best for... Read More
Warm upWarming up before exercising has physiological and psychological benefits.... Read More
If it's six pack abs that you're after, daily abdominal... Read More
As you have undoubtedly heard, college students around the country... Read More
Health and nutrition experts continually advise us that the more... Read More
The number one reason people say they do not exercise... Read More
Muscles and connective tissues shorten over time and that results... Read More
Do you ever feel like you are working out so... Read More
"Stress is when you wake up screaming and you realize... Read More
Have you ever experienced a dull ache or sharp pain... Read More
Many people dismiss the cool down as a waste of... Read More
With warm weather season now in full gear, exercisers want... Read More
Top Trainers share their secrets to getting slim, toned and... Read More
There are hundreds of different programs for professional triathlon training... Read More
Bad workouts. We have all had them at some time... Read More
Are you in an exercise rut? Do you want to... Read More
Writing is a strenuous creative activity, and like physical activity... Read More
1) He or she is never late for a workout... Read More
Several sites, including this one, recommend that you take a... Read More
Different Health Problems generally do not allow us to do... Read More
At any point, we can pick up the latest fitness... Read More
Do you ever wonder how to shrink the fat on... Read More
A recent study found that home workouts may do even... Read More
If You are already fitness walking several times a week... Read More
In the course of my experience working and training in... Read More
It is estimated that about 80 percent of the population... Read More
The Best Weight Loss ExerciseThe exercise the experts are keeping... Read More
Stabilization is a hot topic in the fitness industry over... Read More
The Greek physician Galen (AD 129 ? 210) is generally... Read More
Most of us have trained at one part in our... Read More
My name is Greg Ryan. I am a fitness expert,... Read More
If you have ever read a fitness magazine...If you have... Read More
The best exercise for the stomach is probably not the... Read More
The last seven years, or so, at the Tour de... Read More
Do you currently suffer or have you ever suffered from... Read More
Step for step, mile for mile, walking is the best... Read More
For most of us non-professional body builders the Weider Home... Read More
Exercise & Fitness |