When most people hear the word “exercise” they tend to become unsettled. It’s a word that is often, out of experience, interpreted with discomfort, painful, and time-consuming. The usual activities attributed to exercise tend to be those that are based on endurance ? running, cycling, swimming, hiking, and more. However, most people don’t realize that there is a another form of physical exercise that is great for overall health: dancing.

Even if you’ve have not danced since your cousin’s wedding or that one embarrassing high school formal you’d rather forget, there are countless Charleston dance classes to enroll in. Now, if you’re interested in taking up dance lessons but unsure of enrolling, let’s explore the benefits of dance programs:

It’s a Great Alternative to Running

While running is great for cardiovascular health, it can be boring for some people. Dance programs are a great way to move from running by yourself, putting one foot in front of the other, alone with your ear buds in, to dancing alongside a group of adults with music bumping in the background.

Dancing is a Fun Way to Lose Weight

If you’ve been searching for a way to exercise to shed some pounds but aren’t interested in the traditional, gym-bound exercise routines, than dance programs can make for an exciting alternative. After dancing for an hour, a 150-pound adult is expected to burn about 240 Calories, which is the equivalent of running for two miles.

You Can Break a Sweat After Work

It’s expected that more than 80% off adult Americans do not meet the recommended guidelines for daily physical activity. If you find that your job has you sedentary for most of the day, dancing can be a nice way to move your legs and strengthen your muscles. If you and your office mates want to get moving together, you can join a number of dance programs as a group.

A Fun Way to Learn to Dance

Ballroom dance, jive, samba, swing, tango, or waltz, if you don’t know how to do any of these, you can join various dance programs and have an instructor show you the ropes. If you feel nervous about being a beginner, have no fear: USA Dance, Inc., reports that dance and ballroom programs across the U.S. have seen an increase of 35% in recent years. And if the nerves are still there, bring a spouse, significant other, or friend along and it can double the fun!

You Have a Wedding Coming Up On average, 44,230 weddings take place each weekend. With an average of 165 guests per wedding, it’s statistically expected that a large portion of guests will not know how to dance. Whether the couple wants to choreograph their first dance or some guests want to sharpen their skills beforehand, dance programs are a great way to prepare yourself and provide you with some sweets moves to wow the crowd.

Charleston dance programs are a fantastic way to fit in your daily exercise, hone your skills, and meet some of your neighborly dancers in the process. Ditch the headphones, swap out the running shoes, and start dancing to the beat!