Quiz the Coach - Does Ballet Give You Exercise?

So ya dig sports but need some help with your game? Don't understand some of the rules of football, basketball or hockey? Got a gripe about P.E. class, skateboarders, cheerleading, coaches, or anything? Why not ?

Hey Coach,
I am a ballerina and a lot of kids think ballet is a dumb sport, which is their opinion, but they also say it gives you no exercise, but I think it does. Am I right and what kind of exercise is it?
ballerina77

Hey ballerina77

Ballet may be considered "dumb" by some of the kids you know - but it certainly is a good form of exercise. Ballet exercises tone muscles, build strength in the core muscles of your stomach and help improve your posture and flexibility. These exercises aren't just done by ballerinas like yourself either - they're often used by non-dancers as part of a workout routine and are sometimes even used by figure skaters, pro football players and other athletes to improve body control and flexibility. While ballet is a form of exercise that is great for keeping yourself toned and flexible - it won't give you much of a cardio workout like running, swimming or basketball does. So if your ballet classes are the only exercise you get, you should try cross training with more aerobic activities, such as jazz or hip hop dancing, to keep your cardio fitness strong.

Do you need tips or advice on sports, fitness or health? to the Kidzworld Coach. Keep in mind peeps, the Kidzworld Coach isn't a doctor or a professional athlete or anything like that. He's just a dude who digs sports, plays 'em and knows a lot about 'em. You should always talk to your 'rents, a doctor or your school gym teacher before starting a new sport or a new exercise.

Related Stories:

Ballet Dancing

Learning Ballroom Dancing

Cheerleading Tips

I'm Overweight For My Age

More Health and Fitness Advice