Drink to Your Health! By Lisa Nunziella
The Latin-American dance craze has invaded your gym — and it can change your life.
You walk into the cardio salsa class at the gym, feeling a little intimidated. What am I doing here? you wonder. But there’s energy in the air, and you can’t bring yourself to leave. The instructor walks in and says, “Let’s have some fun!”
The infectious rhythms begin, and you react as if your body has a mind of its own. The instructor calls out basic steps for salsa dancing, and the moves are surprisingly easy to follow. As she repeats the steps, she guides you by saying, “Abs in tight, relax your shoulders, feel the floor.” The energy is high, and your heart rate is rising. You’re actually burning calories!
You look around the class and notice that your fellow health-club members are also being swept up in the heat of the Latin beat. Like you, some are beginners who are just getting their feet wet. The self-consciousness that you had when you entered the room has disappeared. As you learn the steps, your confidence soars.
The hour-long class flies by. You’ve burned fat and had a blast at the same time. And you’re learning to dance.
Get Your Salsa On!
Here’s how to get a leg up on cardio dance.
To find a cardio dance class, or to purchase Lisa Nunziella’s DVD “Red Hot Salsa Made Simple” and other cardio- dance products, log on to www.dancewithlisa.com. To learn more about the origins of salsa and upcoming events around the country, visit www.alberttorresevents.com.
Dance Revolution
Dancing to hot, sexy Latin music while learning the latest dance steps — and keeping your heart rate elevated — has become the workout of choice for many. Most top health clubs offer cardio dance classes these days that are suitable for people of all ages, shapes and sizes.
Some of the images that come to mind when you think of dancing are of people having fun, partying and sweating. For students new to dance fitness, these images become reality.
People who have no dance experience find themselves having the time of their lives while losing weight. They can’t help getting caught up in the excitement of the moment, the music, the passionate dance. It’s a workout that people can’t wait to repeat again and again.
For those who stick with it (and it seems the majority do), the benefits are numerous — think dancer’s body: long lean muscles; firm, shapely legs; strong core and improved proprioception (body’s awareness in space); balance and poise.
Core Confidence
Dancing is one of the best forms of cardiovascular exercise. Not only are you burning a great number of calories, you are using every muscle in your body. And you’re stimulating your mind by learning new dance techniques.
Dance not only helps you to understand movement, it will also help you to find your “core/center/powerhouse.” This center is where all of your movements, breath and strength start. A strong core is vital for efficient movement and injury prevention. Dance training helps strengthen your core, building a well-balanced body from the inside out. When you’re comfortable with your body, you will move more confidently.
Anyone can learn salsa and become proficient at it. It’s always interesting to see individuals bring their own sense of style and flair to the movements. Dance is not just about the mechanics of the steps; it’s about the attitude and the feel. The dance releases your inner beauty.
Muy Bueno
Here are some of the many physiological and psychological benefits of a cardio salsa workout.
·Manages stress
·Cuts risk of stroke and heart attack
·Reduces blood pressure
·Helps relieve depression
·Helps to maintain bone mass, reducing the risk of osteoporosis
·Develops better coordination
·Improves self-esteem
·Provides motivation to work out consistently
·Ignites and burns body fat
·Increases lean body tissue
·Improves memory and sharpens mental acuity
Tricks of the Trade
Here are some ways to make sure you get enough out of your cardio salsa class, as well as your overall fitness program.
:: To see improvement in your body and aerobic capacity, keep three things in mind:
frequency, duration and intensity. If you’re just starting, begin slowly, and gradually increase the number of days you work out. Stay at the lower end of your target heart rate zone. Use the talk test as an approximate guide: If you can’t carry on a normal conversation, you’re working too hard. If you’ve been working out consistently and want to transform your body, you have to step up your workout.
:: Work out 3–5 days a week for 60 minutes, maintaining a target heart rate of 55%–85%. This will burn fat more efficiently.
:: Always remember to hydrate and eat a well-balanced diet of fresh veggies, fruits and lean proteins.
:: Most importantly, listen to your body. It will never lie to you. Get in tune with your body, and you will stay healthy and injury-free.
:: If you take your workout seriously, so will everyone else. Book it just like a meeting. Your health should be your top priority. You’ll perform better at work and in everyday life. It’s all about prevention. We can guard against many diseases if we take care of ourselves through good nutrition and cardiovascular exercise.
:: Get your family involved: Teach your children good habits, and they will grow up to be healthy adults.
:: If you have any questions, are pregnant or taking medications, speak to your doctor before starting any exercise program.
Spice Up Your Fitness
The bottom line is to always stay active. You don’t have to be a slave to the same old workout routine. Health clubs have become so multidimensional these days that there really is something for everyone at the gym.
So if you’re bored with your workouts and looking for something to excite you and keep you motivated, give cardio dance classes a try. After just one class, you may never want to take another walk on a treadmill. This is a fun, exciting — and sexy — way to burn calories, reduce fat, feel great and build your confidence. You’ll become more aware of your body, and improve your coordination and balance. And your newfound confidence is sure to carry over into your daily life.
We have only one body and one life, so let’s not take it for granted. Live life to the fullest, keep dancing and breathe!
Lisa Nunziella is a former World Dance champion, two-time U.S. champion and Star Search grand champion. She is a certified trainer and group exercise instructor at Gold’s Gym, Venice, Calif.
Spice Up Your Fitness
