If your fitness resolutions have fallen by the wayside, and you’re looking to pep up your exercise routine, why not give dance classes a go? Once you get over your embarrassment you’ll quickly forget you’re doing anything but having fun.
Circus Arts Introduction at Jitterbugs Swingapore
If you’ve ever watched acts like Cirque du Soleil and left wanting to try their death defying stunts, this one and a half hour class is for you. There’s basic acrobatics—tumbles, rolls, handstands and cartwheels—but also more unusual dance performance pieces using equipment such as the aerial hoop (a large metal ring suspended in mid air), long straps of silk fabric and the trapeze. Working with the apparatus trains your strength and flexibility, and you’ll be surprised by how graceful you look once you’ve got the hang of it. Hour-long trial classes are available for $35 and an eight week course goes for $280.
Pole Grooves at Bobbi’s Pole Studio
Known for their exotic dance expertise, Bobbi’s recently launched two new pole-cum-dance classes. The first, Cabaret Pole is theatrical, with moves set to popular Broadway tunes like “Dance Ten, Looks Three” from the show, A Chorus Line. You’ll learn about getting into character and vamping it up with expressive stage moves. Then there’s Chole (an abbreviation of chair and pole). Launched a month ago, the sessions teach you to work both structures at the same time. Classes are capped at 17 students, so you’ll get ample attention. Both classes cost $260 for eight weekly one-hour sessions.
Sh’Bam at True Fitness
Launched in February, this booty-shaking dance fitness program (designed by Les Mills International) is the gym chain’s newest exercise craze. The steps, set to popular club tunes, are meant to improve your coordination and cardiovascular health, and encourage you to twist and turn to 12 alternating tracks—some high intensity to get your heart rate up (you’ll be burning upward of 500 calories per hour-long session), and other slower beats to allow for recovery. A new release is produced every three months with fresh music and choreography, so you’re unlikely to get bored. Gym membership is required but complimentary trial classes are available.
Street Cha Cha at Mosaic Dance Studio
A social dance class revived by the studio last month, this is a looser version of ballroom cha cha. Between bending your knees and stamping your heels, you get a great workout for your calves and quads. Ladies also pick up natural but controlled gestures which tone the arms. Gym membership is required but a trial two-week membership is available for $30.
