Friends who dance! Is lifting a must?

eva_letsdance
eva_letsdance Posts: 2,731 Member
edited November 29 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi, most of my workouts are centered around dancing. Zumba, Cize, Latin. I am looking for like minded friends. If anyone is as into dance as I am, send me a friend request!

Also, I already know the answer but must I lift? I find it very boring!!! lol
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Replies

  • CollieFit
    CollieFit Posts: 1,683 Member
    It's up to you.

    If you're asking whether you can achieve much better results by integrating lifting rather than following a cardio only programme, the answer is yes.

    It's your body. You do what you like with it.
  • eva_letsdance
    eva_letsdance Posts: 2,731 Member
    Thanks! Do you only lift or incorporate cardio as well? Also, how do you not find it boring?
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    No one has to lift! Or do anything they don't want to for that matter.

    Is it a personal choice. If you want to maintain your muscle mass during your weight loss journey, you need to lift. There are a ton of things you can do for lifting, even if it is just doing body weight exercising...
  • CollieFit
    CollieFit Posts: 1,683 Member
    cicamica77 wrote: »
    Thanks! Do you only lift or incorporate cardio as well? Also, how do you not find it boring?

    I do both.
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    You don't HAVE to lift. If you want the physique of a lifter, then yes. If you want to help maintain lean body mass (save muscle) as you lose weight, then yes you need to either lift or run a body weight program.
  • eva_letsdance
    eva_letsdance Posts: 2,731 Member
    gia07 wrote: »
    No one has to lift! Or do anything they don't want to for that matter.

    Is it a personal choice. If you want to maintain your muscle mass during your weight loss journey, you need to lift. There are a ton of things you can do for lifting, even if it is just doing body weight exercising...

    Yup. Using smaller weights now and following fitness blender.

    Thanks for your feedback!
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    cicamica77 wrote: »
    Thanks! Do you only lift or incorporate cardio as well? Also, how do you not find it boring?

    To answer this "boring" part...I am on a set program. Every week I am making personal records, lifting more weight than I ever had before, or for more reps and sets than before. I'm not bored squatting with a 200lb barbell on my back-I'm excited, empowered, and feel strong. I look forward to that workout all day.

    Pick a program, learn to lift properly.
  • eva_letsdance
    eva_letsdance Posts: 2,731 Member
    arditarose wrote: »
    You don't HAVE to lift. If you want the physique of a lifter, then yes. If you want to help maintain lean body mass (save muscle) as you lose weight, then yes you need to either lift or run a body weight program.

    Thanks!
  • eva_letsdance
    eva_letsdance Posts: 2,731 Member
    arditarose wrote: »
    cicamica77 wrote: »
    Thanks! Do you only lift or incorporate cardio as well? Also, how do you not find it boring?

    To answer this "boring" part...I am on a set program. Every week I am making personal records, lifting more weight than I ever had before, or for more reps and sets than before. I'm not bored squatting with a 200lb barbell on my back-I'm excited, empowered, and feel strong. I look forward to that workout all day.

    Pick a program, learn to lift properly.

    That is great! Good for you.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    as a matter of general fitness resistance training is just as important as cardiovascular work...you're working on different aspects of fitness...if you're not doing one or the other, you are basically ignoring that aspect of your fitness...which is ok if that's what you want to do, but I don't recommend it as a matter of general overall fitness.

    most people who find it boring aren't actually following any kind of program...they don't really know what they're doing or what they should be doing to achieve the results they want. i'd recommend following a structured lifting or body weight program.
  • edack72
    edack72 Posts: 173 Member
    Lifting you don't need to do that but you should definitely add weights into your routine. The more muscle you have the more calories you burn its also going to keep (or at least help) you from getting osteoporosis . add some hand weights while you do those dance based classes
  • eva_letsdance
    eva_letsdance Posts: 2,731 Member
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    as a matter of general fitness resistance training is just as important as cardiovascular work...you're working on different aspects of fitness...if you're not doing one or the other, you are basically ignoring that aspect of your fitness...which is ok if that's what you want to do, but I don't recommend it as a matter of general overall fitness.

    most people who find it boring aren't actually following any kind of program...they don't really know what they're doing or what they should be doing to achieve the results they want. i'd recommend following a structured lifting or body weight program.

    Thanks for your input! That must be it. I was following a program that consists of lifting 3x a week. I was seeing results. But, still found it boring. :)
  • eva_letsdance
    eva_letsdance Posts: 2,731 Member
    edack72 wrote: »
    Lifting you don't need to do that but you should definitely add weights into your routine. The more muscle you have the more calories you burn its also going to keep (or at least help) you from getting osteoporosis . add some hand weights while you do those dance based classes

    Zumba has the option of adding weights for some of the routines, I just find that I can not keep form as well while doing cardio. I'll just need to suck it up and get back into it. Someone suggested listing to good music to go along with it. I will try that. Thanks for taking the time to respond :)
  • giantrobot_powerlifting
    giantrobot_powerlifting Posts: 2,598 Member
    @JoRocka lifts and is a professional dancer. Perhaps she can give you some insight as well.
  • eva_letsdance
    eva_letsdance Posts: 2,731 Member
    nakedraygun wrote: »
    @JoRocka lifts and is a professional dancer. Perhaps she can give you some insight as well.

    Awesome! Thanks!!!
  • MommysLittleMeatball
    MommysLittleMeatball Posts: 2,064 Member
    edited February 2016
    You don't HAVE to do anything you don't want to do. That being said, what do you want? What are your goals? If it is to be leaner and build strength then the best way to do that would be to lift (heavy).

    I love to dance. I've danced my whole life - tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, hip hop, acrobatics, salsa, etc. I don't dance as much as I used to and I miss it. If I could find time for classes I will. (I dance informally on my own time though.) However,
    arditarose wrote: »
    To answer this "boring" part...I am on a set program. Every week I am making personal records, lifting more weight than I ever had before, or for more reps and sets than before. I'm not bored squatting with a 200lb barbell on my back-I'm excited, empowered, and feel strong. I look forward to that workout all day.

    Pick a program, learn to lift properly.
    she hit the nail on the head.

    Just because you do one does not mean have to stop the other.

  • eva_letsdance
    eva_letsdance Posts: 2,731 Member
    Jackie0Marie wrote: »
    You don't HAVE to do anything you don't want to do. That being said, what do you want? What are your goals? If it is to be leaner and build strength then the best way to do that would be to lift (heavy).

    I love to dance. I've danced my whole life - tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, hip hop, acrobatics, salsa, etc. I don't dance as much as I used to and I miss it. If I could find time for classes I will. (I dance informally on my own time though.) However,
    arditarose wrote: »
    To answer this "boring" part...I am on a set program. Every week I am making personal records, lifting more weight than I ever had before, or for more reps and sets than before. I'm not bored squatting with a 200lb barbell on my back-I'm excited, empowered, and feel strong. I look forward to that workout all day.

    Pick a program, learn to lift properly.
    she hit the nail on the head.

    Just because you do one does not mean have to stop the other.

    Thanks for your input. Never stop dancing!!!! It is the key for my well being and not ripping ppl heads off :)
  • MostlyWater
    MostlyWater Posts: 4,294 Member
    Yes, you have to lift weights. Just doing cardio is going to burn fat but it's not going to increase muscle mass and prevent osteoporosis, among other maladies.
  • eva_letsdance
    eva_letsdance Posts: 2,731 Member
    MostlyWater wrote: »
    Yes, you have to lift weights. Just doing cardio is going to burn fat but it's not going to increase muscle mass and prevent osteoporosis, among other maladies.

    Thanks! I love that assertive Yes!!!!
  • bri170lb
    bri170lb Posts: 1,375 Member
    I LOVE Zumba, but I have lost a lot of weight and I really need to build up my muscles so....i listen to the Zumba station on Pandora on my ear buds while I'm lifting and dance around a bit in between sets. It keeps me smiling!
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    edited February 2016
    cicamica77 wrote: »
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    as a matter of general fitness resistance training is just as important as cardiovascular work...you're working on different aspects of fitness...if you're not doing one or the other, you are basically ignoring that aspect of your fitness...which is ok if that's what you want to do, but I don't recommend it as a matter of general overall fitness.

    most people who find it boring aren't actually following any kind of program...they don't really know what they're doing or what they should be doing to achieve the results they want. i'd recommend following a structured lifting or body weight program.

    Thanks for your input! That must be it. I was following a program that consists of lifting 3x a week. I was seeing results. But, still found it boring. :)

    Are you progressively adding weight? Are you establishing goals for yourself? Have you found ways to translate the strength you are gaining into real world applications?

    My wife used to lift because she knew it was good for her in general...it's still not her favorite thing in the world, but there are a lot of things she can do now as a stronger person than she used to be able to do and that has been highly motivational for her. She's a runner and I can remember the first time she noticed that her lifting was translating into being a better, stronger runner...it was like a light bulb went on because she saw functional benefits from lifting which she was just kind of meh about into something she loved.

    I also remember when we did a fun obstacle/mud run and for the first time in her life she was actually able to do the monkey bars...she was like, "holy *kitten*...I can actually do that now."

    I would also add that for many, lifting is somewhat of a necessary "evil" to achieve the physique they desire and to achieve the fitness they desire. I'd wager that we all do things fitness wise that would rather skip...but our fitness and goals dictate that we do them anyway if we actually want to achieve those things.
  • finneyjason218
    finneyjason218 Posts: 166 Member
    yes
  • eva_letsdance
    eva_letsdance Posts: 2,731 Member
    bri170lb wrote: »
    I LOVE Zumba, but I have lost a lot of weight and I really need to build up my muscles so....i listen to the Zumba station on Pandora on my ear buds while I'm lifting and dance around a bit in between sets. It keeps me smiling!

    That is soooo great! I am glad it is working for you. When I listen to zumba music and not do zumba, I am not giving my best in what I am doing. It may be a focus issue for me. For ex, when I was running and listen to zumba music, i kept doing choreography in my head and noticed I was not pushing enough. I just get sooooo into the song. lol As for lifting, I really focus on having proper form as in the past it was an issue. :)
  • eva_letsdance
    eva_letsdance Posts: 2,731 Member
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    cicamica77 wrote: »
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    as a matter of general fitness resistance training is just as important as cardiovascular work...you're working on different aspects of fitness...if you're not doing one or the other, you are basically ignoring that aspect of your fitness...which is ok if that's what you want to do, but I don't recommend it as a matter of general overall fitness.

    most people who find it boring aren't actually following any kind of program...they don't really know what they're doing or what they should be doing to achieve the results they want. i'd recommend following a structured lifting or body weight program.

    Thanks for your input! That must be it. I was following a program that consists of lifting 3x a week. I was seeing results. But, still found it boring. :)

    Are you progressively adding weight? Are you establishing goals for yourself? Have you found ways to translate the strength you are gaining into real world applications?

    My wife used to lift because she knew it was good for her in general...it's still not her favorite thing in the world, but there are a lot of things she can do now as a stronger person than she used to be able to do and that has been highly motivational for her. She's a runner and I can remember the first time she noticed that her lifting was translating into being a better, stronger runner...it was like a light bulb went on because she saw functional benefits from lifting which she was just kind of meh about into something she loved.

    I also remember when we did a fun obstacle/mud run and for the first time in her life she was actually able to do the monkey bars...she was like, "holy *kitten*...I can actually do that now."

    I would also add that for many, lifting is somewhat of a necessary "evil" to achieve the physique they desire and to achieve the fitness they desire. I'd wager that we all do things fitness wise that would rather skip...but our fitness and goals dictate that we do them anyway if we actually want to achieve those things.

    I was and saw real results, not just in the way I looked but carrying groceries for example. It was sooo much easier to carry. Thanks for all your input and everyone else how responded. Really making a difference in re-evaluating how i should proceed forward.
  • eva_letsdance
    eva_letsdance Posts: 2,731 Member
    finneyjason218 wrote: »
    yes

    lol thanks!
  • chrysalis2015
    chrysalis2015 Posts: 212 Member
    Feel free to add me...I'm a former dancer...love dancing and am taking Zumba along with body pump...knee permitting.

    But I will say I've absolutely LOVED lifting. I make sure I have the right tunes of course and break things up/mix them up some. I've noticed a big time difference in my body composition versus other times when I've just not eaten and done aerobics. I do about 20 min on the elliptical then lift. Then I dance for stress relief when I feel like.

    It seems boring, but the feeling afterwards is fantastic. "Like a Boss" comes to mind :smile:

    Not only that...but agree with the above - weight bearing/lifting helps with osteoporosis/bone density later on in life. It really is very good for you...and I have joint issues...there are ways to do it safely so listen to your body and go lift some heavy stuff.
  • scolaris
    scolaris Posts: 2,145 Member
    I like dance + yoga + lifting. They all work me differently. For dance I do Zumba & UrbanKick. For lifting I'm doing strong lifts 5x5 with a friend. We are NEVER bored! LOL
  • Asher_Ethan
    Asher_Ethan Posts: 2,430 Member
    I'm a ballet teacher and I lift heavy. I started lifting 9 months ago and my leaps are higher and my pirouettes are sharper than they were in my 20s. I wish I would have started lifting a decade ago.

    I also do zumba for fun because I really like the music. I couldn't get into Cize though, It was too easy.
  • eva_letsdance
    eva_letsdance Posts: 2,731 Member
    chrysalis2015 wrote: »
    Feel free to add me...I'm a former dancer...love dancing and am taking Zumba along with body pump...knee permitting.

    But I will say I've absolutely LOVED lifting. I make sure I have the right tunes of course and break things up/mix them up some. I've noticed a big time difference in my body composition versus other times when I've just not eaten and done aerobics. I do about 20 min on the elliptical then lift. Then I dance for stress relief when I feel like.

    It seems boring, but the feeling afterwards is fantastic. "Like a Boss" comes to mind :smile:

    Not only that...but agree with the above - weight bearing/lifting helps with osteoporosis/bone density later on in life. It really is very good for you...and I have joint issues...there are ways to do it safely so listen to your body and go lift some heavy stuff.

    Thanks for all the input! I'll add you.
  • eva_letsdance
    eva_letsdance Posts: 2,731 Member
    scolaris wrote: »
    I like dance + yoga + lifting. They all work me differently. For dance I do Zumba & UrbanKick. For lifting I'm doing strong lifts 5x5 with a friend. We are NEVER bored! LOL

    Nice! Yeah, have not tried lifting with a friend. That is a good idea. Keep dancing! :)
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