Sunday, July 24, 2011

Aerobic Dance Basics


Even if you have two left feet on the dance floor, you can still find yourself moving and grooving with ease with a cardio dance workout for beginners. Unlike dancing in a club, you will have stable shoes, comfortable surroundings and enough room to move. You'll also have an instructor telling you what to do.
What It Is
Cardio dance for beginners is a workout that incorporates grooves, shimmies, arm swings, kicks and any other dance-like movements and choreography that can be set to music. Movement and music options are vast, ranging from low kicks set to high-energy pop music to hip-grinding moves set to hip-hop or funk. The only requirement is that the moves keep your body grooving and your heart rate elevated. The only requirement for the music is that it is fast enough to keep that grooving. Cardio dance music usually has between 75 and 140 beats per minute, depending on how fast you want to go.
What It Does
A cardio dance workout for beginners introduces you to the world of cardio dance without tripping you up or wearing you down. The workout will enhance your cardiovascular fitness, circulation, burn calories and fat. Most cardio dance workouts work out your entire body with moves that incorporate your arms, legs, hips, neck and buttock muscles. Cardio dance usually offers some leeway to add a bit of flair and personality to your moves while still following the routine. You are encouraged to let the music sweep you into your moves, also adding a level of enjoyment not found in more routine workouts, such as the constant trudge on the treadmill. You're likely to be sore after your first cardio dance routine if you are normally sedentary or have not worked out some time.
What Makes It for Beginners
The beginner cardio dance workout will often stick to the slower end of the music scale and choreography far simpler than in the more advanced courses. Beginner cardio dance routines can consist of different types of dance techniques, such as samba or zumba, or general moves that do not follow a particular dance style. An example of a general beginner cardio dance workout from "Fitness" magazine includes side-to-side hip movements coupled with swaying bent arms and side-to-side steps. The beginner workouts are generally low-impact and equally low in complicated moves. While the beginner cardio workouts are exceptional for beginners, if you are already in shape or used to fancy moves, the workout might prove slow and boring.
How to Learn
You can join a group exercise class for beginner or, if you are on the shy side, opt for a beginner workout video. Look for a video specifically designated for beginners and generally run about 60 minutes longs. Some have different workouts or segments broken down on a single video. Look for a music style you enjoy so you can best enjoy your workout. Also, remember you can always pause the video if you miss a move or step. When it comes to beginner classes, you are better off with a smaller group so you can receive personalized attention. You want an instructor that is loud, easy to understand and calls out the moves before she executes them so you know what's coming next. Instructors and videos that exemplify a particular series of moves before incorporating them into the routine are helpful for beginners.