Dance as a form of fitness

Dance is defined as an act of performing arts where humans execute specified sequenced movements. Different countries and cultures have different dance forms. 9,000-year-old paintings in India at the Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka, and Egyptian tomb paintings depicting dancing figures, dating as old as 3300 BC depict the history of dance.

But today, thousands of people around the world are incorporating dance in their daily life as a form of fitness. This is because dance has several health benefits and is enjoyable to do. Dance has several health benefits like:-

  1. Improving the condition of the heart and lungs
  2. Increased muscular strength
  3. Endurance and motor fitness
  4. Increased aerobic fitness
  5. Increased muscle tone and strength
  6. Weight management
  7. Stronger bones
  8. Reduced risk of osteoporosis
  9. Better coordination
  10. Agility and flexibility

These benefits are only to name a few. Dance has several other benefits as well, making it a very popular form of fitness.

But every coin has two sides. With a list of benefits, there is also a list of disadvantages that come with dance. Namely breaking of bones and tearing of tissues due to dance accidents, injuries to hips and toes (particularly in ballet), repetitive strain injury due to overdoing, stress fractures, tendon injuries, sprains, and strains.

Despite all the negative effects, dance is at an increasing demand as a form of fitness. In 2019, there were over 100,000 dance studios only in the United States. Even as of now the number is increasing.

One of the most popular dance forms for fitness is Zumba. Zumba is an exercise fitness program created by Colombian dancer and choreographer Alberto “Beto” Pérez during the 1990s. In this dance form, people usually take an hour-long class and follow the Zumba instructor.

Zumba choreography is composed using all or some of the sixteen core steps. There are four basic rhythms: salsa, merengue, reggaeton, and cumbia, and each basic rhythm has four core steps. It is total body cardio and aerobic workout where people burn about 900kcal in one session.

Thus, this was dance as a form of fitness with benefits.

Last 10 Years Fitness Trends

As we move towards the end of 2019 we also move to the end of another decade. These 10 years have shown immense growth and diversity in the methods and techniques of different workouts and trends. This one is for the last 10 years that have got us here today.

2010

Fitness boxing and specialty classes such as Zumba, Bollywood, Afro-Cuban, and ballroom dancing grew in popularity – encouraging more people to become involved in physical activity, but in a slightly different way. This period saw personal training to increase significantly in popularity (and continues to be up until this day). It was less for the rich and famous, and more for the everyday gym user, and as a result many gyms and fitness centres moved away from having ‘floor-based’ gym instructors to service their clients.

2011

It was during this time that the age demographic of those involved in physical activity began to broaden quite dramatically, with a large focus on providing fitness programs for both older adults and children. With obesity at epidemic levels for both children and adults in Australia, more families were looking for programs to help them lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

2012

trends like intermittent fasting, low carbohydrate and gluten-free diets became popular to follow (and continue to be up until this day). The first examples of successful wearable technology were also starting to hit the market at this time, giving people an insight into information about their health and fitness that was previously unobtainable.

2013

With the functional fitness movement becoming increasingly popular, traditional gym equipment was still being used, but was now sharing space with innovative equipment such as kettlebells, battle ropes, suspension trainers and many other unique tools that could be used as a part of an exercise program. Primal, body-weight training, movement-based, whatever you want to call it, functional fitness was at the forefront during this time.

2014

This period also introduced the world to a new type of ‘fitness centre’, one that was determined to capture the atmosphere of large group-training while incorporating high intensity strength and aerobic based exercises – all in short, pre-determined and repeatable workouts.

2015

High Intensity Interval Training was trendy and there are lots of people seeing fabulous results in the fitness club and with home regimens using these high and low intensity moves. Strength Training remained a popular form of exercise workouts, especially among males interested in fitness and better health. More and more women continued to hit the fitness clubs for various strength training exercises as well, in the hopes of building or improving their strength.

2016

Bodyweight training included the use of minimal equipment makes it a super convenient and affordable do-anywhere workout. And it’s not limited to just push-ups and pull-ups-put a fresh spin on bodyweight exercises with different routines.

2017

Group Training.
Some things are just more fun in a group. Group exercise instructors teach, lead and motivate their students through classes designed for a specific intention. Experienced and educated group instructors help people of varying levels achieve their fitness goals. They use a combination of leadership, teaching and motivational skills to accomplish this. Group programs appeal to a wide demographic because of the variety of choices available, camaraderie and social aspects. Thus group training was immensely popular in 2017.

2018

Wearable Technology
Activity trackers, smart watches, and heart rate monitors were as popular as ever in 2018 for people who—were into seeing their workouts by the numbers, wearable technology can give them interesting feedback about how you move. Many estimate your steps, sleep, standing time, calories burned, and time spent working out.

2019

Yoga
The ancient practice has been on the list for many years. ACSM notes that in 2019, yoga has taken on many forms, like “Power Yoga, Yogilates, yoga in hot environments,” and more. Now that we’ve seen goat yoga, who knows what other forms of yoga the future holds? Yoga became immensely popular with a 32% increase only in 2019. It is on of the hottest forms of workout right now and will continue to be for some time.

What to look for in a management software?

A studio management software, by definition is an application or set
of programs that help studio support, improve, and automate their
processes. Such software assist in eliminating errors,
completing studio tasks, reporting activities and increases overall
efficiency and effectiveness.
An ideal studio management software is one which is designed to
help streamline the complexity of large projects and tasks as well as
facilitate team collaboration and project reporting. In other words, it
should make the work of the studio owner easier and increase
business. Here are some things to look for in a studio management
software:-

1. Flexibility
There are tons of management softwares in the market but to
find the right one for you is a task. A management software
should be flexible enough to satisfy all your needs. It should be
bendable to benefit you and your business.

2. Customization
Not all management softwares offer this, but it can make work
very easy for you. Having a software made solely for your
studio is a privilege because it is highly beneficial. It makes you
exclusive and saves time for you. Every studio is different and
thus you need what’s best for you!

3. Price
This is a very big factor in every software. Most of them have a
very high retail price which makes it difficult for the studio
owner to invest in it. Find a company that offers a reasonable

price which suits you. Companies also have a tendency to
increase prices over the years so look out for that!

4. Efficiency
After investing money in the software, it should prove to be
helpful and efficient. Nobody wants to put their money in the
wrong place! Try to find companies that either give free demo’s
or free returns. It will take off stress and make you feel
relieved.

5. Comfort
You should be comfortable using the software. If you are not
used to using high end softwares than take a test run or go for
something easier. There is no point of getting a software if it
makes your work a problem rather than a relief.

One of the best softwares in the markets are the ones by My
Best Studio. They not only are fit for every pocket but also
provide free demo’s. They personalize the software to fit every
need of the consumer to make them feel best. Check them out!

Ways To Improve Your Dance Studio

For any new and upcoming dance studio, getting customers and long term clients is not easy. It takes years of build up and hard work. But if you want the work to be efficient, then here are a few methods to improve your studio.

1. Location
The location of your studio is of utter importance. Choose a place where there is no competition around and where there is no other studio. This way people will come to your studio at their convenience.

2. Trends
Do your research of current trends and operate your studio accordingly. You might have to change a certain way but it will only benefit you. People are attracted to latest trends and want to be a part of it so they will come to your studio.

3. Music
Dance and music go hand in hand and the better the music, the more fun the dance. Work on upcoming music which your clients enjoy. This will give them a sense of confidence and due to the increase in familiarity of pace, they will only want to come back.

4. Easy access
Provide your customers easy access to the studios schedules and timings so they can attend at their convenience. The My Best Studio app which comes for free with our studio management software will help you to do so.

5. Organize
Keep your dance studio organized and keep every detail in order. As mentioned previously, our dance studio management software, will help you to do so. We provide facilities like a free app, unlimited employee login, schedules, easy customer access, over 50 different types of progress reports and much more.

 

Top 6 Things to Watch Out For Your Fitness Studio

Starting a Fitness Studio- What you need to know

Is self-employment your cup of tea? Are you the kind of person who can be their own boss and make a good amount of money from it? Have you been in the business of fitness for quite some time and are an expert in the field? If your answer is “YES” for these questions, you should definitely consider starting your own fitness studio.

The biggest advantage of doing this is that you can have a flexible work schedule and will be taking home most of the money that you make. But before you go off and open your own fitness studio, you should consider a couple of factors listed below in order to create a successful business.

Form a Business Plan

The foundation of every business is a well thought out business plan. Your business plan should include the following things:

  • Research: Use Google or ask your colleagues for advice on how to start a fitness studio . Even if you are a seasoned fitness trainer, you will need to understand how to bring business to your own studio. The rates, competition, upstart pricing, and equipment that you may require should be kept in mind.
  • Mission Statement: Figure out your mission statement because this is what will drive all your business strategies.
  • Competition: Determine who your competition is and what you have to do in order to stand out.
  • Requirements for Success: All your plans will depend on your answer to this question. Decide on how much space you will need, the number of clients you need make a profit and the cost of equipment.
  • Timeline and Goals: Prepare a list of short-term goals and then proceed to think about the long-term goals. This will keep you inspired and help you evaluate your progress at regularly.
  • Investments: You can offer equity or shares in your business as a startup or do so once your studio is more well established.

Money

You will need enough money to start your own fitness studio. Besides the cost of the equipment, the additional expenses like rent, basic utilities such as electricity, water, gas, etc. and other office supplies can become high.

Taking on Multiple Roles

As the owner of the fitness studio, you may have to play multiple roles and have various responsibilities. Whether it is marketing or accounting or other administrative tasks, you may have to see to all of them single-handedly.

Time

Making a business successful takes a lot of time and effort. You may have to work early mornings, late evenings and at odd hours of the day so be prepared for that! There is no breaks, even on weekends! You may have to sacrifice your personal time too.

Networking

Befriend people who have similar kinds of businesses. They may be able to mentor you through the entire experience of running a fitness studio. You can learn from their mistakes too.

Passion or Profession?

Is this just a profession for you or a passion? Go for it if you are passionate about it and you will persevere through any kind of hardships that may arise.

Wrapping Up

Congrats if you have decided on starting your own studio, there is nothing else like it!

My Best Studio ]offers fitness and Yoga Studio Software in locations like Los Angeles, Irvine, Arizona, and more and we would love to help you out in optimizing all your administrative tasks as well as studio operations!