Video Story
Watch VideoBelly dancing as exercise
Story By: Bea Karnes
Source: NBC
Belly dancing: can it really help you lose weight and tone muscles? Studies show the answer is, apparently, yes. It burns among the most calories of any exercise.
Some say it originated as a religious dance, others say it was preparation for childbirth. Most know it as entertainment at restaurants. Now, the ancient art of belly dancing has now burst onto the mainstream fitness scene.
In gyms and dance studios across the country, belly dancing classes are offered alongside aerobics and kickboxing. Why has it become so popular?
Dolphina is a certified fitness instructor who has taught belly dancing classes across the country and at her private studio.
"It's a great cardio workout, it improves flexibility but it gives you curves," she said. "So it femininely tones your body. This will actually give you a waist.
"It's actually these really intricate little muscles that you don't even know you have."
Besides being a good workout, women are attracted to belly dancing for other reasons.
Recent research shows you can burn over 600 calories an hour by belly dancing, even more than running, but you need to start slowly and stop at the first sign of pain as it is easy to pull muscles that will keep you from getting back to it.
