← Introduction to Dance-Fitness · Module 10 of 13 · 5 minutes
How dance-fitness compares with other exercise
Key idea: Exercise to music meets all eight criteria in the comparison. Each other type of exercise misses at least three.
How dance-fitness compares with other exercise
Exercise to music meets all eight of the criteria below. Each other type of exercise misses at least three. The grid scores each activity the way it is typically done.
| Running | Martial arts | Ball sports | Performing | Yoga | Weight lifting | Exercise to music | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Music | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Social | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| For life | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptations | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Velocity | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Accessibility | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Low anxiety | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Cost | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Met (of 8) | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 8 |
“Everything in the universe has rhythm. Everything dances.” George Carlin (attributed).
What this means for you
You do not have to give anything up. Running, yoga, martial arts and weights all have real benefits, and plenty of people do several. The point of the grid is that exercise to music is the only one that combines music, company, adaptability, intensity, ease of starting, low pressure and low cost, which is why it is easy to keep doing for life.