Graceful way to burn fat

Whether you're one of those with kilos to spare or a stoop that's turning you into the Hunchback of Notre Dame; whether it's your confidence levels that need revving up every morning or your self-esteem that takes more than its fair share of beating; or maybe all you want is a happening social circle, looks like you will find an answer to every one of your problems on the dancefloor.

For UAE residents, losing weight ranks near about the top in this list of woes. And forever on the lookout for "something new, something different and something fun", they are discovering how enjoyable ballroom dancing can be in their quest to shape up.

There's a definite trend, says Joe Howell, manager of the new Arthur Murray Dance Studio that opened last month in Souk Al Bahar, Downtown Dubai. It is the second Arthur Murray studio in the city, opened within a year of the first located in Jumeirah Lake Towers. The dance school specialises in 12 ballroom dances — the fox trot, waltz, tango, Viennese waltz, quickstep, cha cha, rumba, swing, samba, mambo, merengue and the hustle.

"Dubai has been notoriously unhealthy for the past couple of years and people are trying to regain fitness. Most of those coming in are seeking an alternative to the gym. They see this as a far better way to keep fit than pounding weights at the gym or running. Dancing is fast, fun and energetic, helps you burn calories and improve posture."

How much do you burn?

Howell compares 30 minutes on the treadmill with 30 minutes on the dancefloor. "Although the latter is less of a cardio workout, it's more muscle toning and a lot more fun besides being a light aerobic workout. You burn 300-500 calories per hour."

Ballroom dances, particularly for ladies, help exercise the gluteus maximus muscles (in layman terms, the backside) and legs because there's a lot of walking backwards. "So you're using a lot of unused muscles," he adds.

According to Howell, initially the faster dances give you a better workout. "If you get into a Latin dance form such as the samba, you can feel it right away in your calves."

However, the slower dances — and among them the waltz — give you one of the best workouts in the long run once you've mastered the technique, he adds.

"You're holding up your arms, so your arms, shoulders and upper back muscles are exercised. You exercise your abdominals because of the way you hold your posture and tuck in your stomach. This applies to all ballroom dances but more so the waltz because it uses what we call the ‘rise and fall' the most. This is a technique of lifting your body with your feet and knees."

The way it works at Arthur Murray, a prospective student comes in for a half-hour introductory class-and-consultation. At the end of it, the instructor suggests a dance programme that addresses the person's interests and goals, keeping in mind his or her dance experience. "Ninety per cent of our students get into one of our introductory programmes where they are introduced to at least two-six dance styles," Howell says.

"What we are trying to accomplish here is social dancing, teaching people to dance to any music, anywhere and with any partner," he adds. "The men are notoriously dragged around the dancefloor everywhere. Here, the focus is to lead and follow; the man leads, the woman follows."

A slow start

A typical 45-minute class — usually taught one to one — starts with a slower dance such as the rumba or waltz to get students moving and into the right frame of mind. Special attention is paid to holding your posture. The student progresses to a faster dance such as the cha cha, swing or hustle. The last five minutes are spent reviewing the steps. Although weight loss is not the reason why people enrol for ballroom dance classes, they soon realise how much exercise they are getting, Howell says. "A combination of slow and fast-paced music gives you a total workout," he adds.

You let go of the stress of the day, relax, gain confidence and become popular. "It improves the quality of your life and is self-satisfying."

Hey, do I need any special equipment?

Not in the beginning, says Joe Howell of Arthur Murray Dance Studios. "The students wear whatever they are comfortable in, because they are here primarily to enjoy themselves."

You'll probably find officegoers dropping in for a class after work. Those coming in later in the evening will be dressed more casually.

As for shoes, women are expected to wear high heels "because that's what they'll be wearing when they go out to dance". Men can wear any kind of dress shoe. No trainers or sneakers, no flats and no flip-flops are allowed, Howell says.

As students progress from the beginner stage to the higher levels, they should invest in ballroom shoes. And special costumes will be required if they are taking part in any shows or competitions. "We're trying to recreate the glamour and elegance of the Twenties and the Thirties when ballroom dancing was very popular. And it's what people expect when they go dancing."

Students at Arthur Murray do get opportunities to participate in shows so they can perform a bit of what they've learnt. "We did a show in London in October and are planning one in Egypt in March," Howell adds.

Lose weight the celeb way ...

There's no denying the impact TV dance shows have had in luring the common man into a dance school. Add to that the flab-to-fab transformation of the many celebrities who participate in these shows — among them the popular Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) and Strictly Come Dancing series — and you have the gym wearing a deserted look while dance studios begin to look a little stuffy.

Top of the list is British singer and actress Kelly Osbourne who appeared in the 2009 edition of DWTS and lost 20 pounds (9kg) in the process. DWTS 2010 contestant American singer and actor Kyle Massey lost 18 pounds (8kg).

Among a host of DWTS 2007 contestants who lost inches and kilos are American singer Marie Osmond — 3 inches off her waist; American singer and actor Wayne Newton — "lost 3 pant sizes in 10 days"; American actress Jennie Garth — "I've lost 5 pounds (2kg)… I'm starting to get my waist back"; and British actress and Bond girl Jane Seymour — "I've lost 14-16 pounds (6-7kg)."

A minor celebrity who said she didn't lose weight is former Alaska governor Sarah Palin's daughter Bristol Palin who came third in the show's 2010 edition.

Tips to become a better dancer

According to Joe Howell, among the first things that instructors work on with a student is improving posture and one's ability to move around the dancefloor. "For this, push your shoulders down, lift your middle — don't suck it in — and keep your chin up."

But probably the one piece of advice you might not hear at every dance school is: "As a beginner, please don't practise at home, because nine times out of ten, you'll probably be doing the step wrong," Howell says. "And then the instructor will have to spend valuable time helping you get rid of the habit — time which could have been spent learning a new step. So always practise under supervision."

For more information on Arthur Murray Dance Studios in Dubai, visit www.arthurmurraydubai.com

Maria Kallukaren is a UAE-based freelance writer