Aerobic Dancing

More than 24 million people participate in aerobics. Aerobic dancing remains the most popular with benefits including:

1. cardiopulmonary efficiency
2. strengthened heart and lungs

3. improved circulation

4. lowered cholesterol levels

5. stress and anxiety reduction

However, it is important to keep your feet in mind before you step into the dance studio! Some helpful tips to consider prior to starting an aerobic dance regime:

1. if your ankles tend to excessively turn inward or outward (pronation or supination) see a podiatrist before beginning your workout regime. Orthotics may help control the harmful motions.

2. Aerobic dancing includes jumping and strenuous moving. Therefore, it is important to find shoes with good cushioning, shock absorbtion, and side-to-side stability.

3. Shoes should have a toe box that is high enough that it will not irritate toes or nails.

4. Sport specific shoes are the best choice to prevent foot injury. Running shoes have too high of a heel for aerobic dancing.

During the work-out:

1. Warm-ups and cool downs are essential to your work-out!

2. When you first begin aerobics start with low-impact and work you way up to higher intensity to prevent injury or excessive strain to musscles.

3. If you choose to do aerobics at home, it is safe to do low-impact work-outs on living room carpet, but it is not safe to do high intensity on carpet. High intensity aerobics should take place on hardwood floors.

4. Monitor your heart rate to ensure you are within your target heart range.

5. Drink water!!!

Aerobic dancing can be a fun and a beneficial work-out but consulting a podiatrist before beginning a new work-out regime can help prevent injury and pain.

read the full article: http://www.aapsm.org/aerobics.html