So You Think You Can Have a Dancer's Body?
Nigel Lythgoe, executive producer of the hot dance show So You Think You Can Dance (“SYTYCD”), said it best this week, "The guys on this show all look like they are out of the movie 300,” pointing out that the dance moves aren’t the only sexy thing on the show. Between SYTYCD, Dancing with the Stars, America’s Best Dance Crew, Dancelife (and not to mention the new Chris Brown dance competition series announced this week) there has never been a time where dance has been more widely popular.
Luckily you don't have to dance the countless hours the contestants of these shows do to start to see some dancer-like features. There are plenty of fitness options you can take advantage of in order to achieve the leaner and longer physique most dancers have. For you gym-goers there are a bunch of dance fitness group classes, and for those of you who choose your home as your gym of choice there are DVDs to watch and moves to try.
As a former dancer myself, I am more than happy with the lasting results that 18 years of dance training has proved for me, so I have always incorporated a dance-focused fitness regimen. Below, I took the guesswork out for you and offer my favorite dance-themed fitness tips:
The 5, 6 pack, 7, 8 Workout Plans
DVD Watcher: SYTYCD’s Mary Murphy endorses the DVD workout, Core Rhythms, which incorporates ball room dance movements into a cardio vascular workout routine that will get your hips swaying and your heart pumping. Since all dance movement involves a strong core, this DVD will help you melt away your mid section.
Group Class Goer: Depending on where you live, there are many different dance related group classes out there to choose from. The most talked about is the L.A. originated and celebrity sworn S Factor classes. Best known as the original pole dancing workout , owner Sheila Kelly decided to take the physically demanding moves from the gentlemen’s club to the gym. News of results and praise spread across the nation and many pole dancing spin offs have popped up at local gyms. The S Factor also expanded and went bi-coastal with a newly opened New York City space.
Routine Amendments: If 60 minutes of dance focused workouts doesn’t sound appealing to you or you want to mix the benefits of dance movement with your already existing work out, there are a few simple amendments you can make. Pilates is a prime example of movements derived from dance, Ballet in this case, that are used to elongate and strengthen your muscles. There are also a lot of really fun hip hop movements that can help you with defining your upper body while showing you some really great moves.
All forms of “dancercise” are designed with fun in mind. The workouts are always choreographed to the music so that you are forgetting the work in your work out. You might even feel better prepared for your next visit to the dance floor. Now, the next time you are watching your favorite dance show you don’t have to be so jealous of the washboard stomach or the long lean legs. Scratch that, you will still be jealous, but at least it won’t seem so unattainable.
Comments (1)
Great article! I really do lose myself when dancing and I've taken many dance classes at my gym before. I find it easier to workout when there is good music and the end, I always wonder where the time went and I'm drenched. Next day I feel it too! I've enjoyed zumba and cardio dance my favorite dvd is DanceX it's so much fun with great music here is a youtube clip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRaS10x-uUk
Posted by Patti Smith | July 29, 2008 8:50 AM
Posted on July 29, 2008 08:50