Once people retire, they often find themselves isolated. This can lead to depression and poor dietary habits. Not only do they avoid exercise, a lot of them stop moving altogether. It takes effort to stay active, and not all seniors like the idea of gyms. If you are in this category, consider grabbing a partner and signing up for the ballroom dancing Ottawa senior centers are offering.

Dance tones muscles, no matter how old they are. Quick stepping, spinning, turning, and dipping are great ways to build muscle strength and tone legs. You might not notice it, but when you're dancing with a partner, both of you are participating in a type of resistance training. Lifting partners over their heads will be too athletic for most senior men, but leading a partner around the room will tone their arms and abs.

Dancing can help prevent osteoporosis. One of the biggest problems people have as they age is bones and joints that start to get stiff and brittle. Enjoying this low impact activity will help strengthen them. It is great exercise for those who have had knee or hip replacements. Stronger bones will reduce your chances of injury.

This form of exercise will increase your flexibility. Some seniors stop moving as they age. When you sit in front of a television all day, your muscle start to atrophy and get stiff. When you dance, you are using all kinds of muscles, and that causes them to become more flexible. Part of your routines will include bending and stretching, things you might not do on your own. Both men and women will benefit from the turns and twirls.

Dance burns calories. As people age, their metabolism slows down. This can cause weight gain even when you aren't eating more than you used to. Weight gain often makes exercising harder, and a lot of seniors eventually stop moving. Almost everybody can dance, on some level. It's easier, and more fun, than lifting weights and cardio. As you lose weight your attitude will improve.

You endurance will increase, and your whole body will shape up as a result of dancing. If it is getting harder and harder to climb a set of stairs, your level of endurance is decreasing. You can bring it back up with dance. Instructors start students off slowly because they are aware that not all are ready for full sessions. As the dance routines increase in intensity, you'll find yourself lasting longer on the dance floor.

This kind of exercise is fuel for your brain. Studies have shown that all forms of dance help reduce the onset of dementia in seniors. Alzheimer's is one of the most feared diseases for seniors. No one seems to know exactly what causes it, but scientists believe that improving spatial memory, which is what allows you to learn dance steps, is critical for a healthy brain.

Growing old is challenging. It takes work to remain active and engaged. Taking up dancing is a wonderful to get good exercise. It is food for your brain and a way to socialize with others who are learning along with you.