The Government suggests we exercise for 30 minutes five days a week to stay fit and healthy – if you can squeeze in more then so much the better. But the problem lies in our motivation and commitment...

Free time is precious – we want to spend it relaxing with friends and enjoying ourselves. For many of us exercise is the furthest thing from enjoyment, but that doesn’t make it any less important. What it means is that our concept of ‘exercise’ needs to change.
Our personal fitness regime (or lack of) can take on an almost ominous quality – dark clouds of guilt descend on those who can’t regularly get to the gym or cycle to work. Exercise is something to be avoided for as long as possible, even in the knowledge that it will eventually catch up with us (a bit like jury service).

But times are changing. As health and fitness ride up the agenda, studies of the psychology behind fitness have become common. It’s not all about sweating it out in isolation, but improving your confidence, happiness and general wellbeing. The social aspect of group exercise has a proven impact on a person’s health – both physically and psychologically – thanks to the support system we develop during class. Time and again, dance is singled out as the most effective form of group exercise because everyone is there for the same reasons: to learn new skills and have fun.

In 2007 Matt Birks, a lecturer in mental health at the University of Derby, carried out a study of the psychological benefits of salsa dancing. He came to the conclusion that interaction coupled with shared experiences played a major role in boosting confidence and mood. The fact that his participants suffered with mild to moderate depression makes these findings even more significant.

Dance by its very nature provides a friendly, easygoing atmosphere. There’s no competition between class members because fitness levels aren’t on show – the focus is on having fun and learning new moves, not on who can cycle furthest or run fastest. 

As a social activity, dancing provides plenty of opportunity to meet new people and spend time with old friends. Studies have shown that strong social ties boost our self-esteem and give us a more positive outlook – something that hardly needs scientific justification. Ask yourself whether you’d feel happier after an hour dancing to music with friends, or 45 minutes jogging on a treadmill…is there seriously much competition?

Dancing succeeds as a form of exercise by avoiding all the old associations we have with hour-long sessions down the gym. Building muscle and increasing stamina are important goals, but they are by no means the only ones. As with anything in life, it’s important to have the right balance. Building your confidence, treating yourself to a night out with friends, meeting new people and expanding your social circle – these just as important as staying physically fit.

Not only that, but the motivation to look after your body is entirely dependent on how you feel about yourself. With dance, you’re motivated to burn off calories because you want to, and not because you feel obliged to. It has a way of making everyone feel part of something, and your involvement gives you all the motivation you need to come back for more. 

Lauren is the author of food blog. She works for Lighting magazine and has written for Shopping Centre, the Times Magazine, Weight Watchers and Olive.