Want to shape up for summer, but pounding the pavements or sweating it out at the gym isn’t your style?
Dancing is a great way to tone up, advance your fitness and (hopefully) even improve your co-ordination! Plus, anything that involves music is guaranteed to be fun, and enjoyment is key to developing a workout routine that works for you.
Because it’s cardio intensive, dancing can burn as many calories as walking, swimming or riding a bike, but of course results depend on the frequency and length of your workouts and your exertion level. Keep in mind that the more you move, the more your body will benefit, so don’t be afraid to really get into it.
Here are our favourite dance workouts...
Try a Hip Hop Class Fast paced and fun, hip hop dancing is a great way to get in shape and really work your body from top to toe. With the added benefit of great music to work out to, you’ll find yourself addicted in no time. Plus, just think of the girls in the music videos for motivation – they have seriously smoking bodies! Getting started: Lots of dance schools offer classes so have a ring around some in your area. Added benefit: You’ll learn some impressive moves to pull out on the dance floor.
Go Ballroom From salsa to tango there is a whole variety of classes you can try in the ballroom category. If you can convince your partner to give it a go, this is a great way to spend some fun time together and get in shape, but never fear if you’re single or you have no hope of convincing the boy to give it a go, most classes don’t require a partner. Getting started: There are plenty of options, Google the dance you want to do and see what you find or check out the community education programme at your local school. Added benefit: You might meet a hottie.
Shake that Belly Belly dancing a super fun, not to mention slightly sexy way to get your daily dose of exercise. We recently sent an nzgirl writer along on a class, read about how she found it here. Belly dance is perfect for toning those tricky “core” muscles, improving strength and flexibility, and gives a fantastic cardio work out. Getting started: Head to www.xtend.co.nz/ keyword Belly Dance. Added benefit: All that waist movement should give you killer stomach definition
Hit Up a Club The easiest and definitely most fun way to work out! Grab your girlfriends, get glammed up and head out for a night of dancing. The more you move, the more you lose so make sure you’re wearing comfortable shoes. Of course, alcohol will ruin all your good work, so space your vodka tonics out with plenty of water. Getting started: Apply makeup. Put on dress. Head out... It’s all pretty simple! Added benefit: You’ll be having too much fun to even notice you’re getting some exercise.
The Bedroom Workout Crank a music TV station or put together a playlist of your favourite dance tunes (check out the nzgirl staff’s party song picks here) and turn your lounge or bedroom into a dance floor. Make sure you start with a few slower songs to warm up and don’t forget to stretch! Keep the intensity high and aim for a good 30 - 40 mins of solid dancing. Since you’re in the privacy of your own home have fun making up wacky moves! Getting started: Make sure you’re wearing comfy shoes so your feet are well supported. Added benefit: You can work out at home.
sweating it out at the gym isn’t your style?
Fast paced and fun, hip hop dancing is a great way to get in shape and really work your body from top to toe. With the added benefit of great music to work out to, you’ll find yourself addicted in no time. Plus, just think of the girls in the music videos for motivation – they have seriously smoking bodies!
From salsa to tango there is a whole variety of classes you can try in the ballroom category. If you can convince your partner to give it a go, this is a great way to spend some fun time together and get in shape, but never fear if you’re single or you have no hope of convincing the boy to give it a go, most classes don’t require a partner.
Belly dancing a super fun, not to mention slightly sexy way to get your daily dose of exercise. We recently sent an nzgirl writer along on a class, read about how she found it 
The easiest and definitely most fun way to work out! Grab your girlfriends, get glammed up and head out for a night of dancing. The more you move, the more you lose so make sure you’re wearing comfortable shoes. Of course, alcohol will ruin all your good work, so space your vodka tonics out with plenty of water.
Crank a music TV station or put together a playlist of your favourite dance tunes (check out the nzgirl staff’s party song picks