Dance yourself SLIM

Feeling inspired by this year's Strictly? It's time to head to the dance floor to boost your physical and mental health- and supercharge your self-esteem

- TANYA PEAREY

Still marvelling (or wincing!) at the flexibility of Angela Rippon doing stand-up splits in front of millions in the show's opening weeks? She proves, at 79, that dancing isn't just a fun thing to do at a party after a few Sauvignons. It's fantastic for muscle strength and tone, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness - and it can help build confidence, too.

And what makes it so great is that anyone can do it. You don't have to be a professional dancer or have fantastic technique to get the benefits,' says dance psychologist Dr Peter Lovatt (peterlovatt.com). 'Even 10 minutes of dancing, as part of regular exercise, a few times a week will bring rewards.'

So what are you waiting for? As the BBC show draws to its climax, there's still time for you to cut some rug, Strictly style, and reap the wellbeing benefits of a boogie - no sequins required!

FIND YOUR STYLE

Different types of dance offer a variety of specific benefits, says Dr Lovatt.

Salsa

This Latin partner dance is high-energy, aerobic exercise that will keep your heart in good health and build stamina and endurance. 'It strengthens leg and hip muscles, and the positioning of your arms and back in partner work improves posture and core stability,' says dancer Emma Sykes, owner of Barre Sculpt (barresculptltd.co.uk).

* GET STARTED: To learn 36 basic moves for free, search 'Salsa Dancing Walk-Through' on YouTube.

Ballet