Hitting the treadmill day in day out can quickly get dull. Why not work on some fancy footwork for 2007 fitness, says Carrie-Ann Skinner
As we head into 2007, it’s highly likely that you are sick to death of the sight of food and alcohol. The festive period is a time for over-indulging and many of us have spent the past few weeks, lounging on the sofa glued to the television while stuffing our faces.
No doubt, like millions of us, your New Year’s resolution is to get fit. However, let’s face it – after prising yourself off the sofa and down to the gym once or twice in January, your good intentions seem to fall by the wayside and the gym membership remains untouched for the rest of the year. In truth, although the gym will help you get fit, it’s just not that interesting and entertaining and that’s the battle.
So for 2007, why not look at a new way to get fit and have a laugh at the same time – in the shape of dancing. It’s not all fake tan and sequins á la Come Dancing – the sport has seen a revolution over the past five years and has started to capture the public’s imagination. And it’s not just ballroom dancing – there are loads of different styles so there is sure to be something to suit your taste.
By the time Come Dancing was cancelled in the mid-90s, Latin and ballroom had a slightly naff reputation. It was all very cheesy with big smiles, big hair and even worse fake tan. However in 2004, BBC television bought the show back with a twist. Strictly Come Dancing partnered professional ballroom and Latin champions with actors, actresses, singers and even sports personalities. Each week the celebrities learnt a new dance and performed in front of a panel of judges in a bid to stay in the competition.
Following her success on the show, ex-Eastender Jill Halfpenny built a new career in musicals by staring in Chicago and with cricketers Darren Gough and Mark Ramprakash both winning the title of Strictly Come Dancing champion, it’s given a new credibility to men who want to dance. Many celebrities involved have seen dramatic weight loss thanks to the level of training involved and certainly all involved have openly admitted the show has given them a new fun hobby.
The show has also captured the love of the public and regularly competes against the X-Factor for viewing figures. All this has seen an increase in the popularity of Ballroom and Latin dancing with dance schools across the UK offering beginners lessons. More information on classes in your local area can be found from the International Dance Teachers Association. The BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing website also offers a list of dance schools across the UK.
It’s not just Latin and Ballroom that will get you fit, any kind of dance is a brilliant way to loose pounds and have fun at the same time. For many of us, being a little girl meant taking ballet and tap lessons. You may well have grown out of those childhood dreams of being a ballerina, but there’s no reason why you can’t start dancing again. Many dance schools run classes aimed at adults in both tap and ballet and don’t fear if you don’t know your pliè from your pirouette, there are plenty of beginners classes that take you right back to the basics. (If you live in North West London, checking out Butterfly Dance ballet classes is a must!).
Alternatively, Pilates is very closely linked to Ballet, exercising the same muscles and using a variation of many original dance steps – so head for your local gym and find your inner ballerina at a Pilates class.
However if the more energetic hip-hop and MTV-style of dance is your thing – then why not investigate street dance. London’s Pineapple dance studios in Covent Garden offers a host of classes suitable for beginners right through to professionals, teaching everything from popping and locking to breakdancing and even Michael Jackson style routines. DanceWorks in W1, also offers a similar range of classes while many dance schools across the UK are branching out with street classes. Contact your local school for more information.
Learning to dance with a roomful of strangers can be quite daunting so if you can’t bear the thought of strutting your stuff in front of others then why not think about learning to dance in your own home. Lilia Kopylova, one of the professionals on Strictly Come Dancing, who most recently partnered Rugby star Matt Dawson, has released Latinasize – a fitness DVD using moves from Latin dances including the rumba and salsa to get you toned and fit. Lilia says: “I love dancing much more than going to the gym, not because I'm a dancer but because it's fun, burns a lot of calories, improves your stamina and improves your fitness.” That’s a definite incentive to get your dancing shoes on and cha-cha till your heart’s content.
Pineapple also offers a number of DVDs based on its classes so you can learn street-style at home. The routines are set to pop music from the likes of Britney Spears, Destiny’s Child, the Black Eyed Peas and even Blue. Pineapple may have started the trend for DVD’s teaching street moves but they certainly aren’t the only ones on the market. Carmen Electra, the girls from Liberty X, the girls from Hollyoaks and even the FHM High Street Honey’s have cashed in and are offering to teach us the latest street moves.
Possibly my favourite fitness DVD new for 2007 is the Dirty Dancing workout. After all what girl can’t resist a chance to shake your booty just like Baby. Nobody will ever put you in the corner once you master these moves! Any round-up of aerobic dance DVD’s wouldn’t be complete without a mention of the Ministry of Sound’s Pump it Up series. Based on the infamous Call on Me Video by Eric Prydz, the DVD series aims to get you fit by recreating the squats and lunges demonstrated in the music video and is set to house music. For the very brave, a weekly class is also held at the famous nightclub in Elephant and Castle. Music is provided by a live DJ although a thong leotard is optional!
Finally, for those of you who like your exercise out of the ordinary why not head to a pole dancing class. The likes of Teri Hatcher swear by pole dancing classes as a way to keep fit. An energetic one-hour lesson can burn as many as 500 calories and encourages strength and agility. The once slightly seedy activity is now becoming a hugely popular form of exercise. It’s also a great way to show off on a night out! Classes can be found across the country check out websites such as www.mypole.co.uk and www.polestars.net for listings.
Carrie-Ann Skinner is a freelance journalist and PR executive specialising in fashion, music and property. She can be contacted at carrieannskinner@hotmail.com
