A Touch of Ballroom Fever

By Barbara C. Bourassa

Linda Covino has always loved to dance. At family weddings, everyone knew just where to find her: on the dance floor. So on her 53rd birthday, she decided to take it a step further. She walked into Studio 665 dance studio in Woburn, Massachusetts to sign up for ballroom dancing lessons. She also came with two important questions for the instructors: Do I have the ability at my age to be a competitive dancer? And if so, how long will it take?

Two years into pursuing her dream, Covino now knows that yes, she has the ability at her age to become a competitive dancer, although she knows it will take time. But even if it’s a few years off, she’s already reaping the rewards of dancing. She’s lost weight and is enjoying her classes so much that they take precedence over anything else in her appointment book.

You may even say she’s caught ballroom fever. And she’s not alone. Ballroom dancing—or dancesport, as professionals prefer to call it—is one of the hottest fitness trends beginning to emerge. In fact, all kinds of dancing, from salsa to hip hop to cowboy boogie, are attracting thousands of women like Covino who are growing tired of traditional gym-based group exercise classes.

Much of the resurgence of ballroom dancing can be attributed to the popularity of the television show “Dancing with the Stars.” “Dance is bringing enjoyment back to fitness,” says Fabio Comana, an exercise physiologist with the American Council on Exercise (ACE).

According to Covino, a growing number of people are drawn to dance classes because of the fun factor. “It’s a blast!” she says. “It brings nothing but a smile to my face.” And there are several reasons why Covino is smiling these days. “My posture has changed completely,” she says. “The way I stand, walk, and move is totally different. In ballroom dancing, your back has to be straight—which pulls everything up from the pelvic area. Dancing has realigned and completely changed the shape of my body.”

Covino is enjoying newfound energy, is down eight pounds, and has even lost two pants sizes. What keeps her coming back to the studio week after week, however, goes beyond the fitness factor. “I think dancing, or any form of exercise, gives balance to a woman’s life,” she says. “What’s more, you work with a partner when you’re dancing—so there’s always someone holding out a hand for you to join him or her on the floor. Women are treated with great respect in this sport, and that can be very empowering.”

“It also builds confidence,” she continues, “which is important for young boys and girls. In addition, it teaches the importance of good manners.” Some middle schools in Massachusetts are considering adding dancesport to their physical fitness curriculum in order to help teach respect, she notes, and one of her sons has since taken up dancing.And then, of course there’s the fashion factor: ballroom dancing competitions feature women in beautiful gowns and men in tuxedos, making it exciting whether you’re a participant or a spectator.

If you’ve got a touch of ballroom fever yourself, or you’re interested in taking a class, Covino and other dancers offer up the following pointers:

1. Take a small first step. Try a ballroom dancing class at your local YMCA, fitness club, or health center to make sure you really like it.
2. If cost is a factor, try group lessons. "Private lessons can be expensive—think $85 an hour,” says Covino. Group lessons are less expensive and allow you to brush up on your skills while surrounded by the energy of others. Most group lessons involve partner rotation, so eventually everyone dances with everyone else.
3. Get the family involved. Encourage the guys to give it a try. “There’s always a shortage of men on the dance floor,” says Covino. What’s more, it’s a great way for single men to meet women, she adds.
4. Try a different flavor. Not sure ballroom dancing is for you? Explore the options at your local health club or dance studio—the classes offered at Studio 665 (www.studio665.com), for instance, include ballroom and Latin classes such as waltz, tango, swing, foxtrot, samba, and quickstep; performing arts-style classes, such as ballet, jazz, tap, and hip-hop; and fitness-oriented classes, including Pilates and cardio salsa.