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New Year, New You

Why dancing is the better gym & and you'll really pull it off this time

5 reasons why dancing is the perfect workout for your New Year's resolutions

Be honest: how many times have you signed up to the gym in January only to end up as a "deadbeat" in March? You're not alone. The problem is not your discipline, but the following: Treadmills and weight benches often feel like work.

But what if your workout was the highlight of your week? What if you could burn 500 calories while laughing, listening to music and meeting new people? Welcome to the dance floor! Here are 5 scientifically proven reasons why dancing is the ultimate hack for your New Year's resolutions.

Why your body (and your brain) love dancing

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Dancing is an underestimated high-performance sport. Whilst you concentrate on the steps and music, you are doing a full-body workout without realising it. It not only trains your endurance and muscles (hello, tight calves!), but also releases a cocktail of happiness hormones (endorphins and serotonin) that puts any "runner's high" to shame.

Dancing is not a short-term power boost, but a movement that you can do for years. Many dance styles are easy on the joints, promote natural movement sequences and can be customised to your own pace. This is exactly why dancing is particularly suitable as a sustainable New Year's resolution - not just for January, but for your whole year.

5 reasons why you should swap your trainers for dance shoes

  1. The calorie killer
    Don't you believe it? An hour of intensive jive or salsa burns up to 400-600 calories. That's comparable to an hour of jogging - except you're not watching the clock to see when it's finally over.
  2. The anti-dementia workout
    Dancing is brain jogging deluxe. Studies show that the complex interplay of movement, rhythm and spatial thinking reduces the risk of dementia more than reading or crossword puzzles. So you train your head at the same time.
  3. Bye-bye back pain
    Sitting at your desk a lot? Standard dances such as the slow waltz or tango force an upright posture and strengthen the deep back muscles. Your spine will thank you for it.
  4. Motivation through community
    In the gym, everyone struggles on their own with headphones in their ears. In a dance class, you are part of a group. The social commitment ("See you next week!") is one of the strongest factors for sticking with it.
  5. It never gets boring
    Today elegant waltz, tomorrow fiery cha-cha-cha and next week cool West Coast Swing. Dancing offers endless variety. There is always a new figure or a new style to discover.
Dancing instead of the gym?

Dancing instead of the gym?

Your resolution for 2026: More exercise, but with fun, please! Did you know that 60 minutes of jive is as effective as jogging? We'll show you which dance is perfect for your fitness goal.

learn more

The udansa expert tip

Start slowly!

The biggest mistake with resolutions? Taking on too much. Instead of committing to an annual subscription straight away, take advantage of the flexibility: search for taster lessons, workshops or open classes on udansa. Our tip: Try out three different styles in January (e.g. Discofox, Salsa and Lindy Hop) and only then decide which one makes your heart beat faster. This will help you avoid frustration and find the dance that really suits you.
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Frequently asked questions about dancing as a workout & fitness booster

  1. It all depends on your individual fitness goals. In terms of endurance, coordination, flexibility and basic strength in particular, dancing is sufficient as a workout. Depending on the style and intensity, dancing can be a fully-fledged cardiovascular workout. Many people also combine dancing with light strength training.