Last night they crowned the latest “Dancing with the Stars” champion. It was the first time in several seasons that there was no lone frontrunner, but after 10 weeks of competition, one team has emerged as the winners of the coveted mirrorball.
Hines Ward may have missed out on a super bowl ring this past season, but he now has the DWTS trophy to place on his shelf.
Why has this show and ballroom dancing found such a large audience in America?
Many will point to the past seasons and effective marketing that ABC does with it’s Dancing with the Stars production. Having the exiting guest dancers and their professional partners appear on almost every other ABC show is very effective in grabbing attention of viewers. And certainly, the stunning beauty, physical physiques and the huge dress size reductions don’t hurt. Who isn’t interested in the promise of losing a few extra pounds?
I believe America’s recent obsession with dancing started long before DTWS’s first season. From what I remember, Jim Carrey’s The Mask is actually the reason why this show was allowed to succeed. Take a look…
With the line, “Let’s rock this joint,” Jim Carrey moved like few can in that comedy. But the dance “Hey, Pachuco” with Cameron Diaz was forever etched on the minds of the American psyche. We fell in love with ballroom dancing.
Of course, Cuban Pete had a lot to do with it. Who doesn’t love a good conga line?
Here are some quotes taken from the internet that begin to explain why dancing is not only fun but healthy for you:
“Physically, ballroom dance contributes to good posture and body alignment, it encourages gentle stretching, increases your flexibility and stamina, and benefits your cardiovascular system.”
“Ballroom dancing (not competitively) is a great way to meet people (friend a/o romantic partners). “May I have this dance?” is music to nearly any woman’s ears, and a fabulous icebreaker for any man. If you alrady have a partner, it’s a great way to reconnect.”
“I started ballroom as an adult and was extremely surprised at how physically demanding it can be. I used to run competitively and was in very good shape. I could go a couple miles/kms before even breaking a sweat. On the dance floor – after a only a couple fast dances (like jive), I can am often sweating. Look at the couples after ONE dance on Dancing with the Stars!”
“Studies on the benefits of ballroom dance have also been conducted by California State University at Long Beach, showing that even beginning students can get their heart rates up to near-maximum training rates with a five-minute warm-up and a 20-minute Cha Cha, Polka or Swing. Even moderate ballroom dance burns between 250 – 300 calories per hour, and vigorous dancing can burn as many as 400 calories per hour.”
“What is so special about ballroom dancing? “Dance is not purely physical in many ways. It also requires a lot of mental effort,” says Dr. Verghese. Dancers follow complex steps and figures. You have to think about them and remember them. Men have to think about what steps to do next and lead the women. And women have to follow the men, adapting to their movement and to the precise beat of the music. So, dancing keeps your feet and brains on the ball. Dancers do not just move on reflex. Dancing is a cognitive activity. It requires concentration and thus keeps your brain working harder and longer.”
“I would comment on the fact that most people think of exercise as walking, running, or bicycling. A lot of times people don’t exercise, or quit exercising because it is not fun for them. Dance is a good alternative because it is enjoyable and habit forming.”
“It is also a good way to stay close and in touch with your partner, and to do something together as a couple. Ballroom dancing has led to lasting romance, but we don´t guarantee that!”
