• e-mail

Hate the gym, but desperate to lose weight?

A team of scientists may have the answer after their research discovered dancing burns more calories per hour than running, swimming or cycling.

Their findings suggest a 30-minute street, swing or contemporary dance class could be more beneficial to your waistline than enduring that time in the gym.

Furthermore, the researchers discovered dancing improved people's psychological state as well. 

Dr Nick Smeeton, from the University of Brighton, said: 'Dance not only appears to increase positive and reduce negative emotions, which are typical effects of exercise, but we also found that dancing actually reduced feelings of fatigue too. 

Scroll down for video  

A new study has revealed people taking contemporary, street and swing dance classes burn more calories than if they were to run, swim or cycle for the same time period

'People may be familiar with runners’ high and there appears to be a similar effect after dancing too. 

'We have seen that dancing improves your emotional state. 

'Furthermore, it seems to have an energising effect. Add in the known benefits of social interaction you get whilst dancing and it becomes a powerful way to improve your health and well-being.'

To arrive at their findings, Dr Smeeton, his colleague Dr Gary Brickley and a team of researchers from the univerisity's Department of Sport and Exercise Science, analysed a group of students aged 24 to 38.

The 15 dancers from London's City Academy, took part in a series of dance classes, during which, researchers measured heart rate, distance covered, energy expended and psychological states.

They took part in 30-minute sessions of ballet, ballroom, contemporary, salsa, street and swing dance.

Each jump, twist, spine curve, chest pop and plié were analysed.

The dancers each wore a catapult vest to with accelerometers and heart rate monitors, that also tracked their energy expenditure.

After each dance class, participants were asked to rate their psychological state of mind using a questionnaire that measures emotions.

The scientists said they were surprised to discover that participants in the contemporary, street and swing dance classes burned more calories than they would have, running, cycling or swimming for the same time period.

Over the course of the 30 minute class, swing dancers burned an average of 293 calories, compared with 264 for running, 258 for football and 249 for swimming.

To ensure accurate and comparable data, the researchers took into account each dancer's weight, age and general fitness level.

The heart rate monitors tracked the intensity of exercise in all six dance disciplines, with researchers scrutinising the dancers' results. 

Over the course of the 30 minute class, swing dancers burned an average of 293 calories, compared with 264 for running, 258 for football and 249 for swimming

They measured heart beats from high and severe to moderate and low intensity.

Their results revealed that all six dance styles involved periods of time spent in heart rate zones classed as 'high and severe intensity exercise'.

Dr Smeeton said he was 'particularly surprised' to find ballet, which is often perceived as a light to mild intensity style, involved moments of severe intensity exercises throughout the session.

The study also revealed findings on the distance travelled over the 30-minute classes.

Those in the street dance class covered the most ground, with a distance that equates to a runner jogging for 3.6kms.

Dancers in the contemporary and ballet classes covered 1.6kms and 1.2kms respectively, with results comparable to running on a treadmill for 10 minutes.

Shawna Cope, head of dance at City Academy, said: 'This research gives a fascinating insight into the various health and well-being benefits dance provides.

'Across the board we know that dance is a fun and sustainable way to keep fit and, best of all, it's accessible to everyone.'