Dancing - Ballroom Fitness Training

Dancing - Ballroom Description

Ballroom dancing can provide an excellent blend of fun and fitness. Both beginners and experienced dancers can enjoy the graceful swing of the waltz or the lively beat of the polka. Fitness Expert recommends that you warm-up before attempting any complicated or sudden dance moves.

Dancing - Ballroom Risks

• Muscle strains from sudden movement without proper warm-up
• Ankle or knee sprains
• Complicated dance steps may aggravate chronic knee, lower back or ankle injuries

Dancing - Ballroom Sport-specific applications

• Dance competitions

Dancing - Ballroom Equipment required

• Clothing: comfortable, allowing freedom of movement
• Footwear: comfortable with proper fit
• Dance floor
• Music

Dancing - Ballroom Applicable substitutions

• Ballet
• Gymnastics (floor dancing)
• Recreational dancing
• Walking

Dancing - Ballroom Reference sources, organizations and publications

• United States Amateur Ballroom Dancers Association: 8192 Glen Gary Rd., Baltimore, MD 21234, (800) 447­9047
• Dance Magazine: 33 West 60th St., New York, NY 10023, (800) 331­1750 (for subscription purposes)
• International Dance Sport Federation
• National Dance Council of America
• North American Dance Teachers Association

Mode

Cardiorespiratory/Recreational

Fitness Benefits

• Cardiorespiratory 1
• Flexibility 1
• Muscular Strength 0
• Muscular Endurance 2
• Body Fat Recution 1

Fitness Requirements

• Cardiorespiratory 1
• Flexibility 2
• Muscular Strength 1
• Muscular Endurance 1
• Coordination/Skill 4

Muscle groups used

Primary muscles: quadriceps, calves, hip abductors, hip adductors, abdominals and obliquesAssistance muscles: hamstrings, shoulders, upper back and triceps

Energy expenditure

Approximately 0.023 Calories per minute per pound of body weight