Written by Michelle Burchett
Step up your fitness routine with dance classes
The music beckons. Bob Lawrence ushers his wife, Meg, onto the dance floor, takes her in his arms and draws her close. She whispers something in his ear and kisses him on the cheek. He flashes a smile and winks. Everyone else in the room fades away as they glide across the floor, enraptured in their love.
Well, that isn’t exactly how their ballroom dancing class goes. They spend most of their time laughing as they attempt to learn new steps, but the music sets a pleasant mood and their lightheartedness carries its own romantic flavor.
“The romance factor is big,” Meg says. “I like the time with Bob—the physical and emotional connection that occurs between us.”
Bob agrees. “If you do it with an open mind, it’s romantic!” he says. “It’s great social interaction with your partner and the others in the class.”
For the Lawrences, their classes at Simply Ballroom in North Chesterfield all about having fun together. They feel healthier and are better coordinated, but that’s a byproduct, not a goal.
After 32 years of marriage and raising three children, the couple is looking forward to the empty-nest years. With only one child still at home, Meg wanted to rekindle the fire with an active date night that she and her husband would enjoy.
Years earlier, they had enjoyed free dance lessons at their church, but the small group disbanded and they couldn’t justify paying for lessons while their children were still at home. The Monacan High School secretary and her husband had the opportunity to ease back into it with one free lesson each month and discounts on additional lessons through Chesterfield County’s employee wellness program, C-Fit, which offers a variety of fitness classes to its employees and retirees, including ballroom dancing. “Neither of us likes the gym,” Meg says. “Once you leave the gym, that’s it. But, you can take dance into
the real world: at weddings, church functions and dance parties.”
Bob notes that it is particularly fun to show off his skills at functions and watch the other wives chastise their husbands for not being able to dance.
Of course, not all dance-partners-to-be are open-minded and enthusiastic. Brian Gradwell dreaded the thought. But, he dragged himself to the first class—late—because he knew it was something Penny, his wife of 20 years, had always wanted to do.
During the past two years, Penny, an administrative secretary for the Chesterfield County Public Schools Science and Math Department, lost 26 pounds through C-Fit classes, but she wanted a fitness activity that she and her husband could do together after work.
After Brian moped through the first session, Penny told him that he didn’t have to attend any more; she would just dance with whichever men wanted to dance with her.
The following week, Brian arrived on time—and he enjoyed the experience so much that he now looks forward to the opportunity to be together, talk and learn new movements.
Penny is thrilled to have this special time with her husband, away from the responsibilities of work and home.
“Who would have thought we’d not only be waltzing together, but learning the tango, too? I am so proud to have him as my partner,” she says.
“In general, people tend to stick with an exercise regimen if they enjoy it or can participate with a friend,”
says Dr. Parham Jaberi, director for the Chesterfield-Colonial Heights-Powhatan Health District.
“I think that is true with any exercise, whether running, walking or dancing,” says Janna Dougherty, who took a Zumba class at the Chester YMCA with her friend Jessica Daniel. “With Jess there, I didn’t feel as awkward starting a new class and I was accountable. I couldn’t just skip a class.” Daniel agrees. “The friendship and the fun kept us motivated,” she says.
“For beginners to experts, getting up and being active is the key thing,” says Lynne Bennett, employee wellness coordinator for Chesterfield County.
“Ballroom and salsa dancing are great for people of all ability and fitness levels and provide wonderful health benefits,” she says. “Dancing promotes cardiovascular conditioning, strengthens muscles, reduces stress, and improves everything from energy levels, bone density, balance and coordination to confidence, memory and mood, according to the American Council on Exercise.”
Her observation is echoed by Jaberi.
“Dancing can offer a fun and leisurely means of burning extra calories and improving cardiovascular health, while also contributing to a sense of emotional well-being and improved self-confidence,” he says.
And that emotional well-being and improved self-confidence means dancing can lend itself to making friends. Such was the case with Ivonne Chevere. She made a conscious decision to make lifestyle changes to look and feel her best. She signed up for a Zumba class at the Chester YMCA not knowing anyone in the class, but she quickly made friends.
“It was difficult at first. I made myself go. But, once I started to learn the moves and make friends, I looked forward to going,” she says. “I’m losing weight, toning up and feel great.”