I could have danced all night…but my feet hurt.

Tonight we had our weekly ballroom dance lesson. We waltz, foxtrot, swing, jive, cha cha, rumba, and best of all, we tango.

We’re back at ballroom after a seven year hiatus. It feels so good and we’re having so much fun. Unlike when we first started. In those days we took it so seriously that we’d often end up fighting. Over time we learned it works out much better if we just laugh and keep going. Although tonight my husband threatened to wear a mouth guard, helmet, and steel toe boots to class next week to “protect” himself from me!

Social dance is a great pursuit for a couple, not just for the fitness benefits (I’ll get to those in a moment) but also to provide an opportunity to spend some quality time together. We spoke with one couple at our lesson tonight who have three children six and under plus they run two businesses, yet they are still making time to dance together.

Social dance is a lot more fun than walking on the treadmill yet it still provides a mild aerobic workout and is a low-impact activity that tones and strengthens calf, thigh, and buttock muscles.

According to the Boston Dance Studio, “The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute endorses ballroom dancing as a way to lower the risk of coronary heart disease, control blood pressure, reduce weight, and boost HDL cholesterol levels.”

Best of all, it is a smart heart activity that people of any fitness level or age can enjoy at their own pace. And it’s something you can continue to enjoy for years and years. I’m planning to.

For more information on heart healthy exercise see smart-heart-living.com