DIY to dance!

Here’s how you can get slim without the gym with home gaming or fitness DVDs

Whether you want to burn fat, build muscle, or beat stress, home workout DVDs, Wii exercise games and other home-games are taking over the fitness revolution in a big way. Many fitness video games have been launched that help you burn more calories than playing conventional video games. With rain playing spoilsport, let them be your best buddy! If you can’t shell out on a personal trainer every week or workout at a health club every day, you can still get great results on your own.

— The writer is a nutrition consultant and a zumba fitness instructor

Que te Mueve: This is again a Merengue step which means “what moves you”. Here you move side to side, two steps on each side. Now, as you move to the side open your hips and get on the balls of your feet. Then add your arms like you are twisting.

Cumbia-One leg Front: Cumbia is another popular rhythm in Zumba. Here’s what the main movements include: Two steps, one legs — front and back, sleepy leg and machete step. It might be confusing to follow but the more you practise, the better you become. It has some influences from Africa and Europe, and is known for its tropical or Creole flavour. Like salsa, it has an accented beat, alternating hard and soft beats in a 4/4 rhythm. Percussion is key and includes instruments such as accordion, guiro and tambora. In the cumbia, place one leg in front and one at the back, tilt to your side slightly and then point your right foot forward and then back.

Here are few dance moves that will help you beat the rainy day laziness!

Merengue March: Merengue, is a type of music and dance originating in the Dominican Republic which has become one of the most popular genres throughout Latin America and major cities in the United States, one of the most popular rhythms in Zumba. It consists of four basic movements: march, two steps, six counts and shuffle. All movements can have arm or body variation as well as rhythmic direction variations and fitness variations. It is generally quite fast-paced, with an even beat, like a marching beat. In the merengue march you have to basically march by bending and straightening your legs but by lifting them off the floor only slightly. When one knee is bent the other is straight.

Machete: is one of the movements in the Cumbia Rhythm and is also called the sugarcane step. It involves a slight squat where you begin by facing forward keeping your upper body erect and one arm to the side bent at the elbow. Slice your right arm down, as you do this, place your right foot forward and bend your knees to face sideways. Now, bring your foot and arm back to starting position and repeat the same but backwards by taking your right foot back and then back to starting position.

Benefits There are multiple benefits of exercising at home such as saving time travelling to and from the gym, so you have more time to work out. Plus, you can wear any outfit that’s comfortable, breathable or even old. And there’s no prep time — just fill up a water bottle and switch on your television or computer. These dance moves help in: Strengthening cardiovascular system, experiencing the freedom of moving, improving flexibility, loosen muscles, increasing stamina, improving coordination, toning and tightening the body and shedding excess body fat. Dancing is also a wonderful outlet for stress reduction. So what’s stopping you Dance your way to good health!