Dance your way to fitness and school credit

Not only is dance an enjoyable hobby, the fitness benefits from the intense cardio workout are an added bonus. Photo courtesy of AP Photo/ Chitose Suzuki

There are few exercises where not only are you breaking a sweat and gaining impressive results, but you are actually having fun in the process.

Dance is one of those few enjoyable workouts and getting started is easy for students looking for an exciting workout. Classes are offered through various neighborhood studios, gyms and recreation facilities and even at schools for credit. With so many different styles and avenues to take, just about anyone can pick up dance as a hobby and incorporate it into their exercise routine.

“Dance is an enjoyable form of exercise, simply put,” said sophomore and first-time dancer Jaime Gargas. “You're working out without knowing it. It’s beneficial for the mind because it opens you up to a form of expression that I, personally, never considered as something that I could be good at and for the body because it is a full cardio exercise with consistency and muscle isolation.”

One of the best dance classes to take for school credit and an intense cardio workout is Dance 103 – Introduction to Jazz at Cal State Long Beach. In addition to earning a GE Fine Arts credit and learning about the history and fundamentals of jazz dance, breaking a sweat is guaranteed. Combined with yoga and ballet forms to properly stretch the body, choreography ranging from early jazz influences to current music video styles make the class exciting and rewarding all around.

“Intro to jazz is a great class for people with no dance experience to find out what dance is all about,” said senior and Intro to Jazz student Kylie Peters. “Personally I love dance because it is an amazing workout without feeling like you are exercising. It is fun, and works muscles that you didn't even know you had.”

Even though dance is a fun and enjoyable workout, maintaining proper nutrition is crucial to ensuring success as a dancer.

“Drink lots of water, don't eat a big meal before dance class, and light stretching during the days you are not dancing helps to not be as sore,” said Peters.

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For more information about the CSULB dance program, visit the official department website.
For up-to-date news regarding dance at CSULB, visit the Performing Arts: Dance blog by Journalism 311 student Nichole Hamilton.