Trying a dance class for the first time can feel a bit intimidating, but once you get moving, you'll quickly realize how fun it can be. Plus, the health benefits of dancing extend far beyond just one session. Regular dance workouts can improve your cardiovascular fitness, helping you build your endurance so you can dance and move for longer without feeling tired or drained.

They also provide a fun, simple way to reduce stress and anxiety , promoting a sense of energy and happiness. Dancing has been shown to boost mood and overall mental well-being, while enhancing self-confidence and body image. As you continue, you'll likely notice not just physical improvements, but a positive shift in how you feel mentally and emotionally as well.

As a dancer and an osteopathic physician, Poonam Desai , DO, has firsthand experience when it comes to the benefits of dance workouts and dance fitness classes. "Dance not only enhances mental well-being by reducing stress and elevating mood, but it also strengthens physical health by improving strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness," Dr. Desai says.

Dance workout videos can also help "boost mood, self-esteem, and body image," according to Darby Bonomi , PhD, a sports and performance psychologist. Dr. Bonomi highlights some of the top benefits of these videos as "stress and anxiety reduction, increased mood, and improved mental health and overall sense of well-being.

" "We start to value our body for what it can do, rather than just how.