Argumentative Essay: Health Benefits Of Dancing

Dance is the movement of the body in a rhythmic way, usually to music and within a given space, for the purpose of expressing an idea or emotion, releasing energy, or simply, taking delight in the movement itself. Dance can effectively promote good health by improving cardiovascular fitness, strengthening the muscles, and benefiting cognitive ability.

 One of the best things about dance is the improved cardiovascular fitness it can provide. “Travel and jump combinations lasting at least 32 to 48 bars in duration and including longer dance combinations dividing the class so the dancers receive adequate rest periods to recover from the cardiovascular workout.” (Stayner). Dancing provides a great, overall low-impact aerobic workout. Like other forms of aerobic exercise, dance strengthens the heart, lungs and circulatory system. 

Participating in dance has a wonderful impact on your strength and muscle development.  Professional ballroom dancer and certified personal trainer Leon Turetsky says that all styles of dance make for great cardio workouts since your heart rate gets challenged from executing the different moves.  Movements that we typically do in our daily life, like walking, taking the stairs, and common workouts like treadmills and cycling, occur in the sagittal plane, but dance works your body from all planes, including lateral and rotational, which turns on and conditions all muscles, meaning no muscle is left behind

Another consideration linking dance to good health is that there is a lot of research showing how dancing can maintain and even boost your ability to think as you age. “This is an excellent form of mental exercise for your mind, regardless of your age” (Tylicki).   According to some studies, scientists have found that the areas of the brain that control memory and skills, such as planning and organizing, improve with exercise like dance. Plus, unlike other forms of exercise, dance has the additional benefits of improving balance through rhythm and music. 

Dance can effectively promote good health by improving cardiovascular fitness, strengthening the muscles, and benefiting cognitive ability. Cardiovascular fitness, Strengthening the muscles, and Benefiting cognitive ability. Although dance can be very hard or a challenge doesn’t mean you can’t do it. Dance can make you and your body happy!