Did you know that competitive ballroom dancing is officially called dancesport?
Because of its requirements of athleticism, practice and skill, as well as its competitive nature, ballroom dancing is, in fact, a sport!
In fact, ballroom dancing was called “dancesport” to legitimise it as an Olympic sport, and while it has yet to be approved for any Olympic games, there is always hope that we’ll see it on the big screen. We saw breakdancing in the 2024 Paris Olympics, after all, so perhaps dancesport is closer than we think!
Ballroom dancing even has a para dancesport alternative, making it perfect for the paralympics as well. If you want to read the history of dancesport and the Olympics, click here to access an article from the official Olympic World Library, or click here for a more recent study of dancesports rejections from the past few Olympics.
With those official definitions and future Olympic possibilities, it’s hard to argue that ballroom dancing doesn’t deserve its sport title, but how does this help those of us who just want to get fit?
Well, dancesport provides a great alternative to gym workouts. It’s fun, safer, and better for your overall wellbeing. Don’t believe us? Keep reading.
The Benefits of Dance Workouts
- Cardiovascular Health
Dance increases our heart health by elevating breathing and heart rate. When this is repeated consistently, the heart strengthens to be able to endure this strain for longer periods of time, making us able to sustain rigorous activity for longer.
- Weight Loss and Muscle Toning
Dance, being a form of cardio, can make you lose weight naturally because you are burning more calories than you normally would. It also helps the development of muscle mass as the repetition of perfecting sequences engages specific muscle groups, toning legs or arms or other areas of the body without much thought on your end!
- Enhanced Flexibility and Coordination
Dancing physically challenges our body to move in new ways, as well as mentally challenges us to grow our motor skills as we have to focus on performing different moves with different parts of our body at once. With the repetitive practice naturally inbuilt in dance, these aspects are prioritised in a way the gym can’t provide.
- Mental Health Benefits
From the connection fostered to the stress-relieving hormones released, dance has numerous mental health benefits that are sustained beyond a class. If you want to learn more, read this blog on 5 ways dance improves mental health.
Dance Workouts vs Traditional Gym Workouts
- Engagement and Enjoyment
Having a sense of community (and accountability) always makes working out seem easier, and with dance, this community is the foundation. With the gym, the norm is to workout alone. Perhaps you can take classes or get a personal trainer, but there is still a level of isolation. With dance, you get to work with a partner and connect with those around you, as well as hype others up as they perform! This creates a deeper level of enjoyment that helps you forget you’re working out and makes your workout an engaging social outing rather than a dedicated session at the gym you dread.
- Variety and Creativity
The gym is getting some more variety these days- pilates, HIIT workouts, even hot yoga, but if you’re weightlifting or using the machines like most of us, it gets pretty boring after a while. With dance, there are endless opportunities for creativity, whether you want to change up a routine, learn new moves or make some up yourself! You can also switch up styles, because you don’t have to just do dancesport to get the health benefits of dance.
- Accessibility and Cost
Thanks to the internet, both dance and gym routines can be accessed free online. However, with a home gym, you still at least need some weights to continue growth. With dance, all you need is a little bit of space (because a partner, while great, isn’t necessary). Dance classes can also be less expensive than gym memberships, especially because you know there will be a spot for you. If you go to the gym at peak time… well, good luck!
Many dance classes also offer free introduction classes, no strings attached (unlike the gym, where it feels like you have to give them everything from your bank details to your first-born child just to get a free week of access).
If you have any questions or want to share your own experience with dancesport, connect with us on our Instagram by clicking here, or click here to get into dancesport.
