If you are like me, you are always looking for new ways to make fitness fun. Once exercise becomes routine, it’s difficult for me to motivate myself to stick with it. Fortunately for me, I recently discovered belly dance for fitness. There are many different programs offering fitness routines based on traditional and tribal belly dance moves, so variety is always available. Belly dancing is a great way to get fit because it targets core muscles, so it shapes and tones while also offering a great aerobic workout. Despite its name, belly dance uses every part of the body, making it one of the most complete workouts you can do.

The best way to get started is to take a local beginners class, or buy a DVD that teaches the basics of belly dancing. Learning the basic moves is essential to optimizing your belly dance work out. Basic lower body moves include hip thrust, hip drop, figure 8 and hip circles; basic upper body moves include head slide, arm waves, snake arms and shimmy. As you master each of the basic moves and learn to use them in combination with one another, you can increase the effectiveness of your fitness routine. To avoid having your fitness routine become… well… routine, you can recombine moves for a myriad of dance variations.

One of the great things about belly dance for is that it can be done by anyone. Basic moves can be modified for any fitness level, making belly dance one of the most versatile exercise options available. It is also one of the most visually appealing, as belly dance exemplifies grace and beauty. So belly up to one of the best ways to boost your health, your self-image and your self esteem. Make belly dancing a part of your regular fitness routine.