A total body workout is like a one-stop-shop for fitness. And dance cardio works every single muscle in the body. Like walking, running, or cycling, dance cardio is an aerobic form of exercise. It improves your cardiovascular health, strengths your lungs, and benefits your circulatory system.
What Is Dance Cardio?
Simply put, “dance cardio is a cardiovascular workout utilizing high energy dance-based movements set to music,” says Alissa Tucker, a master trainer for AKT, a dance cardio workout available through the fitness platform Xponential+.
A dance cardio class is similar to an aerobics class and typically lasts 45 minutes to an hour, adds Sarina Jain, a Masala Bhangra instructor at the Ailey Extension in New York City and an Athletics and Fitness Association of America–certified group fitness instructor.
“It incorporates a warm-up to get your body moving, followed by some stretching, then the dance portion of the class — going all out into a jam and giving your utmost energy — and then cooling down after all that hard work,” says Jain. There may also be a short section of core targeting work too, depending on the class.
Some dance cardio workouts, such as AKT, are choreography-based, where you learn a dance routine throughout class, says Tucker. Others involve you simply following along to the instructor’s steps during each song played in class, she says.
Not up for heading to the gym? Dance cardio is a perfect at-home workout because you don’t need any equipment, says Tucker. Plus, “if you’re new to dance cardio, trying it at home first can give you some time to practice without the pressure of keeping up with a class,” she adds.
The Benefits of Dance Cardio
Dance cardio has a host of research-backed health benefits. Here are the top reasons to add dance cardio to your fitness routine.
