Getting In Shape With Ballroom Dancing

If you watched Dancing With The Stars, one thing you are sure to have noticed is how well-toned every dancer's body was. Oh yes, one got caught up with all the pizzazz that was built around the dancing in the show � the comments, the asides, the costumes � but it was the bodies that held your attention � the way they moved and the way they looked. No spare flesh to be seen anywhere, just sleek, perfectly toned and shaped arms, legs, abs. One reason is that ballroom dancing is really one of the best workouts there is.

To many of us who don't dance too often or too well, ballroom dancing is nice, slow and romantic, in a dimly lit dance floor or out in the moonlight. Well, trained ballroom dancers have a different story to tell. It's a hard job to dance well and as hard staying fit and abreast of the many who come into this world of perfect timing and perfect physique. All those moves, those twirls and those bends and twists give you much more of exercise than an aerobics class would.

Ballroom dancing is a good alternative to the gym if you are thinking of a bit more strenuous form of exercise. At a gym somehow you tend to notice just how good and toned everyone else looks and it could give you a complex if you have a lot of excess weight to shed. At a dance class however, the emphasis is on the moves rather than the exercise. It's also fun and you can go do it as a couple. It's great if you haven't found a fun way to exercise � you should go check it out.

The great thing is that you are burning as many calories as any other form of exercise like at the gym for instance. Well, sometimes even more. One session could mean that you burn anything between 200 to 400 calories, how much precisely would depend on the kind of dance you choose. Now this is like half an hour on the elliptical trainer or a brisk walk. Some energetic dances burn up even more calories.

Moreover, ballroom dancing exercises every part of your body � not just certain portions like at the gym when you are doing crunches or you are on the treadmill. Little wonder that professional ballroom dancers look so worked over and superbly toned from head to toe.

There could be more to make it even more enjoyable. Unlike any other form of exercise, you get teamed up with a partner � well you could go as a couple or you could just go and be paired off. Doing things together is great fun and who knows, you might just make friends who last a lot longer than your dance lessons. So get out there and dance your way to fitness!

'Dancing' pros fake it till their stars make it

On “Dancing with the Stars,” the celebrities change each season, but most of their moves remain the same. Of course, that's to be expected in a competition centered around a familiar staple of ballroom standards. Those samba steps and whirling waltzes are strictly by the book.

5Top: Fancy footwork! Top ‘Dancing’ pros

Though he’s never waltzed a celebrity to a win on “Dancing with the Stars,” Ukrainian Latin champ Maksim Chmerkovskiy tops the professional heap. That’s partly due to his taskmaster-like approach to whipping the stars into shape, which allowed him to take both boxing progeny Laila Ali and former Spice Girl Mel B to the finals, and partly due to role as ballroom eye candy. Shallow? Sure! But in a competition that’s as much about form-fitting sparkling pants and tear-away shirts as it is about the perfect paso doble, Chmerkovskiy never disappoints.

Did anyone really stand a chance vs. Kristi?

Another season of “Dancing with the Stars” is over and Kristi Yamaguchi stands victorious. Her expected first-place finish marks the first win for a woman since the show’s premiere year and capped off a season of overachievement from the world figure skating champion. In fact, on finale night, host Tom Bergeron said Kristi raked in more points than any celeb in the show’s history.

The good, bad and cheesy: 'Dancing' hits 100

Tuesday night, the typical "Dancing With the Stars" results show gets a temporary makeover as the program celebrates its 100th episode. Famous faces from seasons past are set to take the floor in the two-hour extravaganza, including season four winner Apolo Anton Ohno and round five's almost-victors, Mel B and pro partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy. Also-rans such as Jerry Springer and Wayne Newton will grace the floor, too, but here's hoping it's in a strictly non-dancing capacity.

Dancing Queen - Inquirer.net

Dancing Queen Inquirer.net The idea for StarBall began when Pinky watched the dance festival in Blackpool, England, long considered the Olympics of ballroom dancing. ...

Strictly come rolling... The secret passion of BRIAN FORTUNA - Daily Mail

Daily Mail

Strictly come rolling... The secret passion of BRIAN FORTUNA Daily Mail It was she who taught me how to dance and sparked my interest in wheelchair ballroom dancing. She choreographed Mark and Diana's foxtrot. ... Dance shows are 'too fluffy', says boss of Sadler's WellsIndependent The important point is: Of course we can danceToronto Star Television dancing shows are 'too fluffy', says Sadler's Wells theatre bossTelegraph.co.uk all 4 news articles »