We all have excuses for not exercising, but perhaps these benefits of Dance Fitness will motivate you to leave those excuses behind. And in case you're wondering, Zumba is dance fitness!

Physical and Physiological Benefits: Dance classes confer many of the same pulmonary and heart benefits as traditional cardio exercises. Injury risk is low, given the less-repetitive aspect, compared with other cardio activities. Agility, balance, bone mass stimulation, flexibility and endurance are all improved via dance. In fact, older adults who danced regularly had a 46% lower risk of dying from heart disease than those who rarely or never danced.

Cognitive Benefits: Dancing can maintain or improve cognitive skills. As little as 1–2 hours of dance per week bolsters brain health via multisensory stimulation, social interaction and learning movement patterns. Dancing also increases neural connectivity because it integrates several brain functions at once, such as the kinesthetic, rational, musical and emotional. Regarding dementia: In a study examining the effects of 11 types of physical activity (including cycling, golf, swimming, tennis and dance), researchers found that only dance lowered the risk of this debilitating disease.

Emotional Benefits: Dancing is also a creative activity that can lift participants’ mood, reduce stress and release negative emotions. Dancing improves mood and lowers depression.

Are you saying, "this is all well and good, but 'I Can't Dance!"? I encourage you to read our New to Zumba article, then grab your sneakers & join us on the dancefloor!