Dancing

Dancing is a great way to stay active – you pick the music, the dance style and if you want a partner or to go solo instead.

Many people find it highly enjoyable to dance as it offers an opportunity to be creative as well as supporting physical and mental health.

Equipment needed 

The most important thing for dancing is you’re wearing something you can move easily in. Some types of dance such as ballet and tap require specialist footwear when you get to a more advanced level. Avoid wearing jewellery or clothing that could get caught as you’re moving.

Getting started

There are many types of dance out there you can try – from more traditional like ballroom, swing and ballet, to international styles like salsa and Zumba and more modern styles like hip-hop and street dancing. If you’re deciding what kind of dance you’d like to try think about what type of music you enjoy or if there’s any dance styles you enjoyed in the past.

If you’d like to combine getting active with meeting new people, there are lots of dance classes out there, both in person classes and online classes. Dancing - EMD (Exercise Move Dance) have created an online class finder and Dance Near You also has a database of 1,000-plus dance classes of all levels run by dance teachers, dance schools and studios located across the UK.

To get into wheelchair dancing and find classes near you, contact Para Dance UK.

The great thing about dancing is that you can also just put your favourite music on and get moving at home, without any cost. Finding time to dance to just one song can help your health and wellbeing.

Top tips

Let loose after a bad day

The great thing about dancing is it can be freeing and give you a chance to let out your emotions. If you’re having a bad day at home, you can put on one of your favourite songs and take the opportunity to let loose!

See what support is available locally

It’s worth contacting your local carers’ organisation to see if they run any dance classes which are subsidised or even free. Alternatively your local council or carers’ organisation may be able to offer grants that you can use to pay for dance classes. You can use the Carers UK directory to find organisations you can contact in your area to see what’s available.

Get the family involved

Dance is a great way to get active with children or grandchildren, especially if you pick music they already know. This Girl Can have produced a range of Disney Dance Workouts with songs from films that everyone can enjoy.

These warm up and cool down suggestions from the NHS can also help reduce the risk of injury.