PHOENIX -- We've all seen the stars slim down on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars," but who knew those dancing feet could be so good for your heart?
Turns out there are health benefits across the board. Experts say dancing is not only good for your cardiovascular health, but it can help with weight control, give you strong bones and muscle toning and some say it can also build your confidence.
This month Banner Health even sponsored a dancing event to stress the health benefits dancing can have on one’s heart. The health group taught Zumba, a Latin inspired dance to participants attending a weekend event.
"The health benefits of dance are incredible and include stress reduction, increased energy, and improved strength," according to Dr. Jeffrey Pakula, a cardiologist on the medical staff at Banner Boswell and Banner Thunderbird medical centers.
Pakula says not only is the workout fun, but has the heart-healthy benefits of an aerobic exercise.
At the Abby Bella Sway dance studio in Phoenix Zumba instructor Daniele Vosler says Zumba incorporates all every kind of dancing from Salsa dancing to Belly dancing. She says it gives everyone quite the workout.
"I get a really hard workout," she said. Sometimes you'll burn as many as 800 calories in one session. "I can realy feel my heart rate go up through the roof."
Teresa Paul Daie who owns the studio said she lost 30 pounds when she started dancing.
"I can run now where I couldn't run before," she said. "I can now do a whole class where ti use to be I'd get tired before the end of the class."
Watching celebrities slim down on "Dancing with the Stars," has reinforced just how good dancing can be for your health.
"We want to keep a healthy heart, right?" asked Vosler. "Healthy and happy."
