Ballet or gym? Is adult ballet good for you?

Ready to pirouette your way to better health? You might be surprised to learn that dance classes (and adult ballet certainly falls into that category) offer an incredible array of benefits that can, in many ways, outshine a typical gym routine. Research shows that ballet isn’t just an exclusive stage art; it’s a powerful workout for people of any age that can transform both your body and mind. Whether you’re a fitness (or ballet) newbie or a seasoned gym-goer, you will be amazed by the unique advantages and long-term impact of ballet classes.

It’s a full-body workout

Ballet classes offer a unique and comprehensive workout that engages your entire body from head to toe. Literally! Unlike traditional gym routines, ballet provides a combination of strengthening and stretching exercises that tone muscles without bulking up. While you may think ballet is about ‘waving hands in the air’, you’ll be surprised how it can challenge both your physical and mental abilities.

Sculpting and strengthening

During an adult ballet class, you’ll work on strengthening your feet, legs, core, arms and back. The controlled movements and precision required throughout the entire class help improve muscle tone, overall body strength and endurance. Ballet engages a wide range of muscle groups, leading to improved muscle definition and posture. As you progress in your training, you’ll notice increased stamina and endurance in your daily activities. If you’re doing sports, you’ll start noticing a positive impact as well.

Flexibility and balance

Ballet training focuses on enhancing flexibility and balance through a series of stretches and poses. The combination of these helps lengthen and elongate muscles, preventing them from becoming tight as we age. As the movement in ballet requires you to coordinate your head, arms and legs to work together during various ballet steps (demi-pliés, battement tendus, adagios, and arabesques to name a few), it improves your balance and coordination. These are often skills that we lose with age when we become less active.

Mind-body connection

One of the unique aspects of ballet classes is its ability to foster a strong connection between body and mind. There are various benefits beyond the sole physical benefits that come from dancing:

• The fact that you're doing ballet with others brings significant benefits - the need to be physically aware of self in relation to others impacts your neural pathways coding for action and perception.

• Dancing can alleviate symptoms of many mental health conditions, spanning across a range of domains:  self-efficacy, anxiety, depression, motivation, and health-related quality of life.

• And, of course, you've probably heard of the cognitive benefits because of dance's demand on motor planning, memory, multitasking, attention and the release of endorphins. You will need to memorise sequences of steps (also known as combinations) that can be quite simple but also quite complex. You also need to stay on time with music.

Boost your mood and confidence

Ballet classes can offer something other workouts can’t - the joy of movement and self-expression. While the classes are structured and require precision, there is plenty of room to personalise how you dance and put your personality into it. This gives you a unique sense of control while exercising. 

Connect and socialise

While you may be a loner, there is a lot of data saying that staying connected with others can have really strong positive effects. That’s not exclusive to older people! Those in their teens and 20s are also at risk when they remain isolated. Obviously, you’re here to dance, but there is always the chat. Whether it’s before sharing something about your work day, showcasing your new ballet outfit, or just trying to remember the ballet combo from last week.

Ballet flats ready?

From improved posture and flexibility to enhanced cognitive function and emotional well-being, ballet offers a unique blend of physical and mental exercise that you won’t find in your regular gym workouts. You may be hesitant, but it’s never too late to start. Adult ballet dancers come in all ages, shapes and sizes. Really - people are coming in the full range between the ages of 20 to 80! Ready? Give it a try!