Do you work out?

[pygmalion]

Just curious. A lot of people tout dance as a great way to get some exercise. So now I'm wondering how many of us do both -- dance and work out formally, at a gym or at home. Thoughts?

[Tasek]

I have some free weights at home; work with those, regularly do pushup, situps/crunches, pulleps, etc. at home, and every once in a while go to the gym (some exercises are just easier with the equipment in a gym).
It's not intended for dancing (though it doens't hurt), just for general fitness, upkeep for the muscles.
And dancing is ofcourse great exercise, especially for the cardio vascular system (but we all know that, don't we)

[Flat Shoes]

I work out for fun and for fitness. Dancing is mostly for fun.

[Nammerz]

I do weight training at the gym, and have been doing so before dancing. Dance however has replaced a lot of my cardio workouts. Dance however has hurt my workout routine a bit because I don't work out my legs as much so they're not sore for dance.

[foursquare]

I tend to work on my biceps while out dancing. A few reps right arm lifting 16 ozs. of fluid, a few reps left arm lifting a few inches of tobacco. Repeat until buff.

foursquare

[cl5814]

I tend to work on my biceps while out dancing. A few reps right arm lifting 16 ozs. of fluid, a few reps left arm lifting a few inches of tobacco. Repeat until buff.

foursquare

ok, i am sure she didn't mean that kind of workout........ :D :D :D

[Tasek]

I tend to work on my biceps while out dancing. A few reps right arm lifting 16 ozs. of fluid, a few reps left arm lifting a few inches of tobacco. Repeat until buff.

foursquare

Didn't I see an infomercial promoting instructional videos for that workout some time ago?? If not, maybe you should try and sell it as a workout system, it sounds great ;)

[Sagitta]

I workout because it is fun. I dance because it is fun. :)

[DWise1]

I work out to stay fit and dance for fun and for mental health. I don't enjoy working out, but it sure beats the alternative.

Not taking their hint that I'm getting too old, I'm still in the Naval Reserve and so must pass their twice-annual Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA). Having inherited a basically muscular body type (thank you again, Dad) which I passed down to our sons (hope you realize how lucky you are, kid), the situps and pushups are easy. It's the 1.5 mile run that I need to always work on (I always hated running), so work mainly on my legs and on running while just maintaining upper-body muscle tone and training for the test with situps and pushups. I'm currently training for the run at 1.5 miles in 15:30 and tested last month at 14:28, which appears to be the best that I can do; now I'm trying to at least maintain that level so that I don't have to cram so much for the next test.

Working out does help in my dancing, especially in making it through several hours of class. A lot of the newer [among us older] students seem to tucker out after two hours and express disbelief when I'm still going strong after three or four hours of class. Similarly, after two hours of WCS open dancing, I'll often then go to a Lindy venue for a couple more hours there. Besides, if I didn't work out to keep my legs in shape, then I would be injurying myself when dancing, so even after I finally retire from the Naval Reserve I will still need to keep in shape and keep up with the running (darn it!).

However, I have also found that I'm needing to cut back a bit on my dancing in order to avoid over-doing it. I'm at that troublesome age where it seems to take forever for an injury to heal and I cannot afford to lose that much dance time.

Oh, and I started Pilates mat work last week. I need to build up my core to get ready for Camp Hollywood at the end of the month.

[tasche]

This has got to be the lamest reason for working out but I work out bc well I've already paid for my membership until dec and I migh as well use it LOL

[Adwiz]

No reason for working out is ever lame, tasche!

I've worked out regularly for years, but after starting to dance I decided to get more serious about my physical condition. So I hired a personal trainer who works with me one day a week for about 90 minutes each time. I view it as a "private dance lesson" because it costs the same and creates many of the same benefits in terms of dance quality and competitive edge.

The problem is that at my age this isn't easy any more. I'm so sore for three days after every one of these workouts that it's hard to move, never mind dance. But I'm seeing steady improvement, so that's encouraging. When I started I could barely do 10 pushups. Not long ago I did 140 before collapsing in agony.

Working out helps with connection, core and other aspects of dance. My trainer is working on specific areas that deal mostly with enabling me to develop speed. This involves pretty sophisticated approaches, but the exercises are remarkably basic. He gets me to do stuff as fast as possible, timing me carefully, until I slow down. At that point, he says, any further effort would cause my muscles to remember the slower speed rather than the faster speed I started with. Things like this are pretty helpful.

Another key part of my workouts is core development, including balance routines. Things like standing on a balance ball while doing curls, twisting from side to side, and having the trainer pushing me from the side all at the same time help to develop my core and create stronger balance.

[tasche]

I had wondered if hiring a personal trainer to set up a routine with me would be a good idea. I really dont need someone everyweek but someone to help me figure all the equipment out may be nice.

[cocodrilo]

How can a woman expect to keep in shape(after the age of 20!) by doing nothing, or only dance, when she has so many body parts that tend to SAG? I have a daily exercise routine that lasts about 45 minutes which includes free weights, lots of sit-ups and lunges and works my entire upper body and most of the lower body. I do this right in my livingroom while watching(listening to ?) the news. For the heart I dance.

[Spitfire]

I tend to work on my biceps while out dancing. A few reps right arm lifting 16 ozs. of fluid, a few reps left arm lifting a few inches of tobacco. Repeat until buff.

foursquare

This is known as the weekend wrist curl. :mrgreen:

[Sagitta]

I had wondered if hiring a personal trainer to set up a routine with me would be a good idea. I really dont need someone everyweek but someone to help me figure all the equipment out may be nice.

I would definitely go for it tasche. Your workouts will definitely become more productive, after that. :)

[tasche]

Yeah I've been thinking of hiring a trainer for awhile. I'm pretty good at working out independently but get lost when I head over the weight area if the machines are not exactly what I've used before

[pygmalion]

Me, too. I haven't yet, because I've switched over to one of those huge, impersonal gyms, and I just don't feel comfortable yet. I've also noticed that some of the trainers are very knowledgeable about sports science, while others are clueless, and just stand there while the "trainee" does reps. If I do hire a trainer, I will ask for credentials before I sign on the dotted line.

[MacMoto]

I seem to have missed this thread...

I don't work out. In fact, I've never been to a gym :oops:. I swim once or twice a week and also walk quite a lot, but dancing is the main form of exercise for me. Before I took up salsa dancing, I did aerobics a couple of times a week at home and didn't lose any weight. I took up salsa last year and lost 4-5kg since.

I do think it's probably a good idea to do some muscle building/toning workouts, but my arm/shoulder/neck problems limit the type of exercise I can do. I should probably speak to a knowledgeable trainer about it...

[squirrel]

I used to go to gym... I did for 7 years... when I started dancing I did go on and off... haven't been to gym in half a year... I'm too tired to go... I also take ki aikido besides my dance lessons... and now that I started Argentine Tango...
But I would go if I had the time! Definitely!

[SDsalsaguy]

Just figured that people interested in this thread might also want to take a look over at our sister site, the Fitness Forums (http://www.thefitnessforums.com/)... :D

[Nic*star*]

I got to build up my stamina, so i skip or do the trampoline everyday :D

[Sabor]

no i dont work out.. i find that things work out themselves eventually.. so why bother aye :lol:

[SDsalsaguy]

:doh:

[Katarzyna]

I go to the gym on and of, (on meaning 3-4 times a week, off meaning once every 2 weeks)... It depends. Once I get out of the gym routine, it's hard to get back into it. When I do, I swim or run, or take occasional classes for endurance and flexibility. I Hoping to get more into Yoga and Pilates, I could use some more strength and flexibility...

Since I started paying for the gym (3 months), I feel really guilty if I don't go... It's a pretty good motivation...