tango and fitness

M

Marino

New Member
I know people who do folk-dance and the first part of their usual two-hour training is just doing plain physical exercise.

I don't know what a master tanguero would say but, like the folk-dance people, I need to make some good exercise and even some weight-lifting to feel aprropriate while dancing. (In spite of the fact that in my daily life I move quite a lot and I have my normal bodyweight.)

I wonder if it's only me who feels that way?
 
Marino, I think it's important to do some sort of warm-up regardless of what type of dancing you do. Obviously the more rigourous, the more your muscles need warming. Don't dare try a ballet class without a warm-up.

As for tango, I know in my classes we generally warm up for a few minutes. It's nowhere near appropriate, but it is better than nothing. I don't care how daggy I look, I always warm up before a lesson, even ballroom.
 
Totally agree with MadameSamba. Warm up is really important no matter what style one is dancing.

I find it valuable to warm up before a lesson, usually with another person taking the same lesson, or just doing a dance with my instructor before the rest of the individual lesson.

Regarding social dances, I was taking beginner classes prior to my studios dances on Fridays and this always seemed to warm me up. Now that I don't take those any more I have discovered it takes me a few dances to get the juices flowing.

At competitions, there is no way I would compete with out a full warm up. I can be found on the floor early, in a side room, and if not many people are taking advantage of the changing room, maybe even there. I've been known warm up in the dance hall and dance by myself to the music being played for other competitors as my warm up.
 
On the days I don't have time for my physical training (one day gymnastics for balance, elasticity, strengthening ankles etc, one day resistance), I am useless. I just can't find my posture, can't relax my knees, can't push myself on the next step, although I do warm up before classes.
More to this, there are exercises that can help with your tango because they strengthen the big toes, the arch of the foot (prevent platfus), the ankle, develop a healthy posture etc. My tango has definitely changed since I started doing these exercises.
 
Lady Cristal de Carbonne said:
More to this, there are exercises that can help with your tango because they strengthen the big toes, the arch of the foot (prevent platfus), the ankle, develop a healthy posture etc. My tango has definitely changed since I started doing these exercises.
Click to expand...
I'm a leader, a man ... my tango has changed since I meditate in the morning. :cool:
 
Back in the day, when driving too many computer systems from my desk was the norm, dance was my exercise and escape. Nowadays it's gardening on the allotment, but eating the produce.

We're all on some spectrum from clinically obese to anorexic. I guess the early and more recent golden age tango dancers of both genders were 'fit' enough through hard manual work, although some of the maestros seem to have had a pretty poor lifestyle.

Sure, we do some dance exercises for balance, turning, swivelling, leg movement, weight change, posture, etc., etc. It helps. Warm up to start; warm down afterwards.

Never felt the need for 'fitness' per se to dance; it was just the norm. Whatever does it for you.
 
I find a mobility warm-up followed by foam rolling to be most effective for tango. I like this one as it’s quite simple

Unfortunately I haven’t kept up with my cardio over the COVID months. Just some peaceful walking. But I only need enough stamina to get through a technique class as there aren’t any social activities.

I also find including yoga for flexibility and balance to be very helpful. There are lots of good resources on YouTube since in-person classes are not possible.

I also try to include strength training once or twice a week (again much neglected). I’m limited to body weight and resistance band exercises as I haven’t been to the gym in months.

So my goals from 1st September: much more cardio for stamina and conditioning. 30mins of yoga daily for flexibility and balance. Strength training 3 times a week. Tango specific drills 3 times a week. And lots of sleep
 
I am lazy tango leaders, my motivation is to do as least possible exercise.
My the most inspirational video is:

Tango is a lazy dance, as it should be dance lazy.
Or at least if you are a leader you should too much since there are so many followers to please.
You will get worn out easily.

If you want to go on the dark side of tango and see tango as an exercise there are possibilities for you.
There are some followers who lack skills so they invented Argentine wrestling tango.
Those followers are perfect for the exercise you seek in tango.

If you dance to fast tango, milongas and vals you may burn more calories than in an aerobic class.
Be sure to include some double rhythm and syncopation, sweat is guaranteed.
 
Mladenac said:
Tango is a lazy dance, as it should be dance lazy.
Or at least if you are a leader you should too much since there are so many followers to please.
You will get worn out easily.
Click to expand...
So many tandas and so little time...

That reminds me of an old dance coach explaining that followers got the difficult steps because they could do them. The lead was there to show off the follower's skills. As the quote attributed to Ginger Rogers has it: Everything that Fred did, but backwards and in high heels.

It comes down to how you perceive your dance - a show dance, or a competition with a score, or a social experience. Perhaps the 'fitness' aspect is really down to the rest of our lifestyle. I want to loosen up for dancing (complaints from followers that I'm not lifting a sack of potatoes, or gripping a spade!), or that I need to relax from being at a desk all day. Sure, if I've been a couch potato or desk jockey all day then maybe I do need some exercise to develop the stamina and flexibility - but I'm not for fitness training as a 'dancer' for social AT.
 
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