Revive your exercise routine with some fancy footwork in one of these three styles
Tap
Good For: People who are willing to experiment. “The most important thing for tap class is the willingness to try something new and go outside your box a little bit,” says Shea Sullivan, a tap choreographer and a teacher in New York City. Prospective hoofers don’t need much else — other than shoes, which are available in all sizes and budgets (the cost range from $40 to $300). You don’t even need coordination, natural rhythm, or strong leg muscles — all those things will develop if you stick with it. And so will your heart, since tap is a great cardio workout.
Bad For: People who are easily frustrated. “Sometimes the biggest roadblock is the lack of patience,” Sullivan says, noting that it can take some people as long as a month or two to pick up the basic skills. Part of the challenge is the fact that tap dancing requires students to exercise a muscle that doesn’t usually get used much at the gym: the brain (the attention to rhythm and foot movement takes strong concentration). So if you prefer to zone out when you’re working out, tap might not be the routine for you.
How to Get Started/What to Look For: Sullivan recommends looking on-line for a tap studio or a dance center near you (try www.tapdance.info, www.dancedirectoryplus.com, or www.voiceofdance.org). Next, since there’s no certification or national credentials for teachers, read the bios or resumes of the class instructors to find one who’s right for you. Some dance centers offer classes on a pay-as-you-go plan, so if you have the option, Sullivan recommends trying out a class once to see if the teacher and the students are a good match for your learning style. “In the beginning, when you’re starting something new, it’s important to find somebody you feel comfortable with and who has a good approach to teaching beginners,” she says.
