Sports ballroom dance is an incredibly beautiful art that is very popular in the modern world. And if a few years ago to find a dance section for adults was a problem, today almost every large fitness center offers its own training program. So what is this sport? Where is the best dance? What success can be achieved? These questions interest many.
Ballroom dance: what is it?
In fact, such a complex term hides the well-known ballroom dancing, starting with the classic slow waltz and ending with a passionate and emotional rumba. Today, ballroom dance is in great demand. After all, everyone knows that regular exercise is good for your health. And if jogging in the morning or routine strength exercises can get boring over time, then dancing is the sport that always remains interesting. After all, this is not just physical activity, but also a full-fledged art of transmitting emotions, which allows you to learn to perfectly master your own body.
And before you decide to start classes, it is worth noting that today there are two main dance programs.
What does the European ballroom dance program look like?
This program includes the well-known five dances - this is a slow waltz, slow foxtrot, tango, Viennese waltz and quickstep. At one time, it was these dances that served as a way of mass entertainment, but with the advent of faster, more energetic types, the popularity of classical varieties began to fall sharply.
But today, European ballroom dancing got a second wind. Practicing this kind of sport will help to improve posture and make movements more graceful. In addition, over the past few years, the classic varieties of dances have been somewhat modernized.
Latin American Program
It's no secret that Latin American dances are extremely emotional, passionate and, compared to European ones, much more free and energetic. This program includes dances such as cha-cha-cha, jive, samba, paso doble and rumba. By the way, almost the whole body moves in this dance, and the rhythm of the music is very fast. Such exercises will help to tone the body, strengthen muscles and increase flexibility.
Should I dance at home?
Yes, dancing at home has its advantages. Finding training material is easy - dance programs are sold on discs, and there are a lot of them on the Internet. Everything seems to be simple - watch and repeat. You do not have to pay a membership card at the club, and there will be no need to change your usual work schedule. After all, you can do it yourself at any time.
On the other hand, there are some disadvantages. After all, there will not be an experienced specialist next to you who will show how to properly do this or that movement. There will not be people who are pursuing the same goal as you and are ready to provide moral support. And, of course, do not forget that these are pair dances, for which a partner is needed. And you are unlikely to get to the ballroom dancing tournament. Therefore, if you have money and the opportunity to work out, go to a club or a fitness center.
Sports Ballroom Dance Club: Benefits of Group Activities
Almost every large fitness center has special dance programs, the main purpose of which is body shaping and improving well-being. In addition, in your city there will probably be a suitable sports ballroom dance studio.
First of all, you need to choose the right group, for example, by age, health status, etc. - with this, the coach should help you. By the way, the teacher is also an important part of training, since the final result will depend on his skill, attention and assertiveness.
Group classes include training in a group of 4-12 people, of course, with a partner. Of course, regular classes will help not only solve a lot of problems with physical health, but also find new friends and expand the circle of friends. What else should a person who adores ballroom dancing adore? Competition and victory in them is what becomes a wonderful motivation and provides the excitement and desire to train more.
It is generally accepted that only professional dancers can participate in tournaments. In fact, today competitions are held for people of different levels of training, from amateur beginners to real professionals. Of course, participation in the tournament will entail additional costs. For example, you will need to pay an entry fee. In addition, you will need a beautiful costume and shoes for ballroom dancing, which are not so cheap. And if you are determined to win, then you may have to take additional individual lessons. Nevertheless, the victory in the competition, even if amateur, will still be pleasant.
What clothes do you need for classes?
Of course, sports ballroom dance is impossible to imagine without appropriate clothing. Moreover, the quality of training depends on it. After all, if clothes or shoes are uncomfortable, then moving is much more difficult, and sometimes more dangerous.
Perhaps, it’s worth starting the purchase of a training “uniform” with shoes. After all, it is no secret that dancers on the floor perform in high heel shoes. And your everyday shoes will not work here - an attempt to dance in ordinary shoes can result in a strong stretch or even a dislocation. If you are going to engage in a Latin American program, then choose sandals with an easily bending sole and a short arch support. But the shoes for the classic ballroom dance should fix the finger and heel well. These shoes can be purchased at special stores. But you may not need it - for amateur training comfortable sneakers are also suitable.
As for training clothes, here is the one and only rule - it should be comfortable. Therefore, it is best to dance in elastic leggings or sweatpants. By the way, some women prefer to buy special training dresses.
Beautiful clothes will be needed only if you are going to a competition of sports ballroom dancing. Indeed, here the judges separately evaluate not only skill, but also the costumes of the dancers. With the help of a properly selected costume, you can create an image corresponding to the dance. If you study the European direction, the form of clothing is strict - women perform in long dresses with a narrowed waist and gloves to the elbows, and men dance in dark tailcoats.
But the requirements for the Latin American style are more free, because these dances are always passionate and challenging - women put on tight short dresses, and men perform in special bodysuits and trousers.
Sports ballroom dancing for weight loss - is it effective?
In the modern world, there are many ways to lose weight. And since dancing is a sports training, then, of course, with their help you can improve your figure. Indeed, during dancing, the body spends a huge amount of energy.
In addition, dancing strengthens the muscles of the legs, arms, abs and back, removing extra centimeters and, moreover, tightening the skin and giving the body a tone. Of course, in order to get rid of excess weight in a short time, intensive training is necessary. Experts recommend practicing for an hour and a half 3-4 times a week. And also it is worth adjusting the power system. Strict diets are contraindicated in this case, because the body needs energy and strength for training. But the amount of fat and easily digestible carbohydrates (sugar) should be limited.
The benefits and harms of sports dance
In fact, ballroom dance will help to solve a lot of problems - both physical and psychological. To begin with, it is worth noting that regular training strengthens the muscles, increases stamina and adds strength. In addition, dance aerobics can strengthen the cardiovascular system. With the help of dances you can get rid of a lot of problems, including various curvatures of the spine, improve posture, make muscles more elastic, and movements graceful. And, of course, dancing is a wonderful and fun pastime that improves mood, improves self-esteem and makes you a star on the dance floor.
As for the harm, then, of course, there is one. Injuries, sprains, deformation of joints - this is what regular exhausting workouts can lead to. On the other hand, such “side effects” are most often found among professional dancers who work without a break in the gym, regularly attend ballroom dancing competitions and build a sports career. But amateur training under the supervision of an experienced trainer threatens only with muscle pain, and then only in the first few weeks.
Are there any contraindications to training?
Of course, not everyone can do sports and ballroom dancing. And, yes, there are some contraindications. In particular, classes should not be conducted with people who have recently experienced surgery or serious injury. Relative contraindications include any chronic diseases, as well as disturbances in the work of the heart and vascular system, joint diseases.
But these contraindications are not for nothing called relative, since occupations are still possible. For example, even older people are engaged in ballroom dancing, but here you need to accurately determine the level of permitted load, and only an experienced trainer can conduct classes. By the way, training should be postponed for any inflammatory and infectious diseases - in this case, it is better to wait for a full recovery.