We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Belly Dancing

PopePopsicleIV
PopePopsicleIV Posts: 34
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Has anyone ever tried belly dancing as a work out? It looks like a lot of fun, and I'd really like to try it, but I don't really know if it'll do anything, or what video to look into.

Replies

  • juicemoogan
    juicemoogan Posts: 994 Member
    I don't know about videos but I've tried a few classes.. Its difficult but fun if you get the hang of it..

    Gotta lean the figure 8 with your hips and the belly roll...

    That's easier for some than others (Surprisingly, the Size of belly... not an important factor)
  • scs143
    scs143 Posts: 2,190 Member
    Before I got up the nerve to take classes, I did the Neena & Veena DVDs- Belly Dance for Fitness. And since I loved it, I started to take classes. I don't take them now- I take different classes- but it's a lot of fun and a great hip, ab work out. I would not say it's the hardest cardio workout and you may want to take them in addition to doing other cardio/strength training.
  • lizard053
    lizard053 Posts: 2,344 Member
    I ADORE belly dancing. Even take classes. It's such a great workout. Lost 2 inches off my waistline in 6 weeks!
    Anything bellydance superstars is a great resource. There are some Veena and Nena videos that are okay for beginners. Not great, but okay (I learned some bad techniques from them).
  • froeschli
    froeschli Posts: 1,293 Member
    I took classes a while back, and trust me, it takes a LOT of work to make it look effortless. Videos are fine I guess, but i think it's easier to follow them once you've had some instruction...
    I borrowed a Kathy Smith bellydance workout from the library, it was ok, not really my thing, but it had me sweating alright.. got a few others on hold.
    If you have a local library, try before you buy ;-)
  • kandyjo
    kandyjo Posts: 4,493 Member
    No.... but sounds like a good time.... In Zumba we do some belly dancing "moves" and routines...

    I just read on a friends profile that professional belly dancers get showered with money!!!!! "Belly Dancer" sounds so much better than "Stripper" I'm thinking it's worth looking into :bigsmile:
  • kao1114
    kao1114 Posts: 51
    I took a few classes at a local community center - with the right classes you can get a good workout. It took me a little bit to get over the "everyone is looking at me make a fool out of myself" thing - no one cared - everyone just had fun!
  • froeschli
    froeschli Posts: 1,293 Member
    No.... but sounds like a good time.... In Zumba we do some belly dancing "moves" and routines...

    I just read on a friends profile that professional belly dancers get showered with money!!!!! "Belly Dancer" sounds so much better than "Stripper" I'm thinking it's worth looking into :bigsmile:

    LOL, if you have the right teacher, she'll tell you about the nuances, and which to avoid because they are considered 'cheap invitations' :wink:
  • VanillaBone
    VanillaBone Posts: 119 Member
    Belly Dancing Workout: Ask a 'serious' belly dancer "Where's your belly button jewel?" then run as fast as you can because if she catches you, she WILL claw your eyes out. :-P
  • AZackery
    AZackery Posts: 2,035 Member
    Has anyone ever tried belly dancing as a work out? It looks like a lot of fun, and I'd really like to try it, but I don't really know if it'll do anything, or what video to look into.

    I own a lot of Belly Dance workouts. I haven't belly danced in a while. For beginners, I would suggest: Bellydance: First Steps - step-by-step belly dance instruction & 2 hours of non-stop practice for Total Beginners Starring Neon (2010). You can find this workout on Amazon.com and preview it on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3MzH654FTQ
  • Sweet! thanks for the advice and input guys! I'll definitely have to look some of these workouts up... but i'm not going to harass a belly dancer.... that sounds dangerous! :P
  • AReasor
    AReasor Posts: 355 Member
    Just took my first class yesterday! It was awesome and a ton of fun. Man, my abs and deltoids are screaming today!:flowerforyou:
  • I got to belly dancing on Monday nights, it's so much fun! I took an HRM once, it burnt just over 200 cals in an hour so not great compared to zumba or other classes but for variation and enjoyment it's great!
  • Love belly dancing! It's a fun and different way to work your body. I always feel so good afterward.
This discussion has been closed.