Tag Archives: dance

Ali Vincent Boasts the Fitness Benefits of Dancing with Cheryl Burke

Have you ever heard someone say “put it it out to the universe” and wondered what they meant by it? Well, I have and for a long time I wasn’t exactly sure how or what I was supposed to be putting “out” to the universe. It wasn’t until I first went onto The Biggest Loser did I really try to figure it out either. I knew that I was being given the opportunity of a lifetime and I wanted to take full advantage of it, so I tried to recall any and every thing I had ever heard anyone attribute success to. One thing that kept coming to mind was the idea that if I put my goal of becoming the first female Biggest Loser out to the universe it would in fact come true. But what did that mean exactly?

ali dwts

I remember years ago hearing that if you wanted to create a million dollars you should write yourself a check for $1,000,000.00 and paste it somewhere that you saw everyday, several times a day. I also knew that this didn’t work because I, like everyone else who had ever heard that had done, wrote the check and taped it to my mirror. Yet I never created a million dollars. So there had to be more to it. (more…)

Posted on April 12, 2024 by Ali

Zumba Sentao’s Chair Workouts Will be All the Rage in 2024

Zumba stormed 2024. In fact, it’s stormed the better part of the last decade. The whole world was in on the fitness dance craze as it took Inc. Magazine’s Company of the Year distinction and last summer was named the largest fitness brand in the world. It looks like they’re trying to maintain the momentum this year with a few new additions to welcome newbies or hold the interest of loyalists. One of the newest forms of Zumba is called Zumba Sentao.

Zumba Sentao has one major difference from the standard routines – it involves a chair. The Zumba website says the chair will become your dance partner and help amp up the results during routines that are supposed to help strengthen, balance, and stabilize your core muscles. The routines are being taught in classes, however, Zumba wants them to be easy enough to be done in one’s home, too. (more…)

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Lacy

Gangnam Style is a Fun Way to Burn 200 Calories

Has anyone not heard of Gangnam Style? It’s the hottest dance craze since the Macarena. It’s lighting up talk shows and living room dance parties from coast to coast and around the world as this South Korean hit makes everyone want to get up and shake their booties. Especially the sexy ladies.

If you haven’t stepped away from YouTube and actually done (or at least attempted) Psy’s Gangnam Style dance, maybe you should. There’s a good 200 calorie burn waiting for you on the down beat of those Womp! Womp! Womps!

According to the American Council on Exercise (ACE), “you can burn approximately 150-200 calories per half hour, which is similar to other forms of aerobic dance.” The calorie burn varies, like any other workout, on the weight of the person and the intensity at which it is performed. (more…)

Posted on October 11, 2023 by Natalie K

4 Fun Ways to Exercise (and Play) with Kids

By Rachel Larkey from AroundthePlate.org

Believe it or not, it is recommended that a healthy adult get 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity. This can range from household chores to hitting that cycling class you’ve always wondered about. For your children, at least 60 minutes of activity a day is needed. Luckily for all of the busy moms and dads out there, exercising with your kids can be a fun way to share family time while getting fit! Working out with your kids can also be a fun way to teach them the value of physical activity and to lead by example. Here are four ways to be physically active with your kids:

Dance!

Small children LOVE to dance, regardless of the music choice. Take this opportunity to dance with them! It doesn’t matter if you look silly because you will both be having fun, and dancing is a great way to burn calories. Make sure that while you bust a move you keep your core braced by pulling the belly button in towards the spine. For toning, try to incorporate moves which twist the midsection back and forth. For cardio, try keeping the arms above the head to get the heart pumping.   (more…)

Posted on October 2, 2023 by Around The Plate

Kate Hudson Gets in Dancer Shape for Upcoming Glee Appearance

Blond bombshell Kate Hudson has been gracing the set of Glee lately looking quite scandalous as Rachel Berry’s (Lea Michele) dance teacher, Cassandra July. The 33-year-old actress is slated to star in six episodes of the sitcom’s upcoming fourth season, according to People Magazine. And fans of the show and Hudson couldn’t be more thrilled.

Hudson certainly has one of the most enviable bodies in Hollywood, making her an obvious choice for this skin-bearing role. But what some people may not realize is she’s maintained her stunning figure throughout two pregnancies. A mom with that kind of physique deserves some serious praise.

It doesn’t hurt that the Hudson lives in sunny California most of the time, which allows for plenty of walks, jogs, and bike rides outdoors. But to maintain her toned body, Hudson frequently relies on Pilates sessions with celebrity trainer Nicole Stuart.

Hudson didn’t use pregnancy as an excuse to be sidelined from fitness, even though she did admit to eating whatever she wanted when serious cravings hit. To stay in shape with an expanding belly, Hudson turned to celebrity trainer Tracy Anderson, famous for her Method workouts and sweat sessions that cater specifically to moms-to-be. (more…)

Posted on August 17, 2023 by Dana

Saturday Morning Drills: Legs of a Dancer

Dancers are elegant and graceful when on stage, but off stage they can be total gym rats. In ballet those delicate moves are possible because the dancers pay much attention to their fitness, especially their core and legs.

If you’ve been looking for a way to get more shapely, sexy, toned legs, then this workout from the new FuseDance Cardio Lean will get you started.

Watch the video and follow my lead to knock out a workout first thing this morning and give you the energy to take on your entire weekend!

Perform these fabulous exercises to get beautiful long, lean, toned legs of a dancer and have fun all at the same time! (more…)

Posted on July 28, 2023 by Tracey

Truck Driver John Drury Discovered Zumba and Lost 100 Pounds

We love hearing from people who have a True Weight Loss Story because we not only feel privileged to tell such amazing stories of health and transformation, but we also get excited at the chance to inspire others.

So when 42-year-old truck driver John Drury reached out to us about this 100-plus pound weight loss through dance fitness, we simply couldn’t wait to chat.

Growing up, John was an avid athlete which contributed to his tall, skinny build. “I was always into sports. But as you get older in life you settle down and get married,” he said. “And that’s when I started driving a truck.”

John’s career change affected his eating habits and activity level immensely. He started accepting free food from the restaurants he was delivering to on the job, which was mostly fast food or high-calorie meals. And spending 60-70 hours a week behind the wheel didn’t leave much time to get to the gym. (more…)

Posted on July 20, 2023 by Dana

Active Meditation is Healthier Than Seated Meditation for Sedentary People

There is a growing body of evidence that suggests sitting for long periods of time is unhealthy, if not deadly. Heart disease, obesity, and depression are just a few consequences of inactivity, and in most cases, these conditions could be prevented if our bodies were a little more active.

It is hard not to wonder what kind of harmful effects sitting in meditation might be doing to our health. If stiff knees and a tight lower back weren’t painful enough, the thought of damaging your health while trying to gain inner peace seems blatantly counterproductive.

For those who have a sedentary job, or are addicted to the television set, practicing a form of active meditation instead of the classic seated meditation might be a better option.

The following suggestions will promote health by getting your body moving while still enjoying the mental, emotional, and spiritual benefits of meditation. (more…)

Posted on July 17, 2023 by Jill

5 Dance Fitness Classes to Get You Swimsuit Ready

If you are looking for fun and different ways to get your body swimsuit ready as well as meet a great community of new friends , we’ve found some great options. We have our top five picks of the best dance classes that will have you moving to the groove and slimming down with friends in no time!

1. Zumba

Zumba classes feature exotic rhythms set to high-energy Latin and international beat. It is the only Latin-inspired dance-fitness program that blends international music, created by Grammy Award-winning producers, and contagious steps to form a “fitness-party” that is downright addictive and fun.

Since its inception in 2001, the Zumba program has rapidy become the world’s largest – and most successful – dance-fitness program with more than 12 million people of all shapes, sizes and ages taking weekly Zumba classes in over 110,000 locations across more than 125 countries.

It’s also easy to feel part of a community when you continuously attend the classes, not to mention fun and exhilarating!

2. Turbo Kick

Turbo Kick classes, created by Chalene Johnson, is a fat-blasting, ab cardio workout that can have you burning up to 1,000 calories an hour! The class is a mix of kickboxing and simple dance moves set to fast paced dance music that is guaranteed to have you feeling the results. It’s a great way to feel energized and empowered and you’ll never leave a class feeling bored. (more…)

Posted on May 28, 2023 by Kristina

The New Dancing With the Stars Cast is the Show’s Fittest Yet

The newest cast of celebrities to join Dancing With the Stars was announced this week. They seem like a pretty likable bunch, not to mention fit and healthy.

Actors, pro athletes, and singers make up this all-star cast who will start burning up ABC’s dance floor Monday, March 19. The line-up includes Melissa Gilbert, Sherri Shepherd, Martina Navratilova, Maria Menounos, Gladys Knight, Jaleel White, Donald Driver, Roshon Fegan, Gavin Degraw and Jack Wagner.

In seasons past, there were always one or two footloose contestants who benefited from the extreme calorie burn that came with training and performing their weekly dance competition. Kirstie Alley, Marie Osmond, and even Bachelor’s Jake Pavelka have credited the show with helping them lose weight. Looking at this cast, this season may be more about maintenance than weight loss. (more…)

Posted on March 1, 2024 by Natalie K

5 Simple Ways to Recharge and Have More Energy

We all feel tired, drained and lethargic from time to time. Whether it’s due to cabin fever, a slow day at work, or a lack of sleep, feeling low on energy is no fun. When you have energy, life just seems a bit more enjoyable.

If you need a boost, practice one or all of the following simple ideas to recharge your batteries without needing to spend money or exert much effort. Take a few moments and put the perk back in your presence. You will be surprised to learn that a little bit goes a long way.

Unplug for Daily Digital Detox

Staring incessantly into a computer screen can be hard on your eyes and tiresome for the brain, so devote a few hours each day to backing away from the computer. Feeling compelled to answer every email or check every Facebook status update is also draining because it pulls us away from living joyfully in the present moment. Turn off your iPhone, shut down your computer, and notice your energy levels begin to rise. (more…)

Posted on February 29, 2024 by Jill