By Monte Moore, Contributing Blogger
Ice cream trucks? Is that summer calling?! Yes, my friend, I believe it is! I know we all want to enjoy the sweet flavors of summer, and also have the perfect body, but working out seems so boring. Most of us want to be able to lose weight but also feel like we’re not having to give up all of the fun in life. Today, we're going to show you a couple of dance workout moves and a couple of groovy songs to dance along to! You’ve probably heard of Zumba, or Turbojam right?! Well, just think of it like that; a fun, energetic routine will knock you off your feet! Literally.
The best part about dancing is, you get to have fun while also doing the work! When you learn to put aside the expectations of what “fitness” and “working out” should look like, you will begin to freely express yourself in many different ways. There are so many different cultures, styles, genres and types of dance you can do. For instance, there's belly dancing, hip hop dancing, jazzercise, yoga dance, and so much more. Did I forget to mention you can even grab a group of friends and do this together!? There’s nothing like a good time with some friends, and why not dance and exercise?
Tips for if you want a more intense workout: Try wearing ankle weights or using resistance bands-- you can even use a balance step. Using a faster paced music to accelerate your workout will also help. Whatever you choose to do, I’m sure you will find what works best for you; if you’re not sure consult with a local personal trainer to get the proper information.
Now that we’ve covered all the basic information, let’s get down to the fun!
Hip hop dance music workout list: you can choose any song you like, but these are a couple of our faves:
Now time for our groovy workout moves. This is a hip hop dance workout routine, and you can add your own style too! There is no right or wrong way to do this!
Slow punch
This is a simple slow punch move. You will just alternate between your right and left arm, adding your own groove to the motion.
A town stomp
This is one of my faves! A dance consisting of kicking the right leg out first, then stomp. Then do the left leg, stomp. Kick the right leg twice, then stomp. Kick left, then stomp. Take your right arm and swing your face downward then "pump". Repeat with your left arm. Right. Left.
Kick back scoop
A motion where you lean in on one leg, while kicking back with the other, and with this motion you will be moving left to right. Be sure to have fun!
Slide snap
This is literally just a slide to the right and a slide to the left, with your hands thrown in the air! And of course, SNAP! So you will throw it all together and it would be kind of like, *slide to the right* *hands up, snap* *slide to the left* *hands up, snap*.
Crisscross
This move is kind of tricky! You have to know what pace works best for you while doing it. With this, you can move at a faster pace or a slower pace, but it all really depends on you. All you have to do, is criss cross your legs, while doing a small jump. These pictures should help you do it!
Pulse Lunges
So, with this step, you would basically do a normal lunge, where one leg is kneeling to the back, and one leg is up in a kneeling position. When you do this, you will repeat a pulse motion for about 10 seconds on each leg. You will alternate between left and right.
Swing groove
This is a simple dance move that requires you to swing your arms and move side to side! You will be adding your own style to this dance, there’s no right or wrong way, but here are the basic moves for this step.
Step Tap
Basically like the jump tap, but instead you’ll be stepping. But add your own rhythm.
Squat to kneel
A groovy, squatting move! All you have to do is squat in normal position, but after squatting kneel on one knee, and then the other (both legs will be in kneeling position) then, you will lift them one at a time and repeat.
That’s it-- a fun, easy, and energetic hip hop dance workout routine that you can do ALL SUMMER LONG. Show it to your friends, and family and jam to your favorite tunes! This literally goes with any music. Hope you all enjoy!
Disclaimer: Now that we’ve covered all the good stuff, I want to discuss a little about health conditions. I want to make sure you’re aware of the risks that can be associated with dancing/working out. Before you do any physical activity or take on any new tasks, consult with your doctor. This is especially for those of you who may suffer with things like asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, bone density, and so much more. The last thing we would want is for you to get hurt, so make sure that you always know exactly what you can and can’t do so that you or your trainer can set the proper limitations.
