While hitting the gym is one logical way of keeping fit, there’s plenty of other ways to get into shape… including one that’s been around since the dawn of humanity: dancing. Below is our selection of places to take various classes in Sydney. While you follow the instructors, concentrating on heading in the right direction, mimicking the shapes and keeping to the music, you won’t even have time to notice the workout.
Dance Central
Level 1, 268 Cleveland St, Surry Hills
A short walk from Central Station, this studio is a great place to work up a sweat in the inner city. The classes are vigorous and the music intense as you dance away in the styles of dancehall, reggaeton, afro fusion or RnB. Don’t worry if you don’t get it immediately, its also about having fun (and fitness!) while picking up new moves. There’s also classes in Tahitian dance, jazz and other styles. dancecentral.com.au
Club de Tango
Rose Bay RSL/ Glebe Town Hall/ St Laurence Church Hall Sydney
Co-founded by Lisa De Lazzari & Peter Waller, who trained in Argentina, and in 1999 decided to establish a tango scene in Sydney, Club de Tango is a place to learn the dance of passion while improving your posture, grace, fitness and balance. Stay on for the milonga (dance party) afterwards. clubdetango.com.au
Mango Dance Studio
North Sydney/ Chatswood/ Hornsby/Dee Why/ City + more locations
Bollywood is a fusion of Modern Indian, Classical Indian, Jazz, Funk, Hip Hop, Latin dance, Arabic dance and Bhangra. Come for a delirioius workout and get muscles working that you never knew you had. It’s a little bit theatrical, a lot of fun and highly addictive… mangodance.com.au
Sydney Dance Company (pictured above)
The Wharf, 4/15 Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay
This is the one stop shop for quality classes from ballet to funk; musical theatre to contemporary; lyrical to tap dance. Directed by Ramon Doringo, one of Sydney’s highest profile commercial choreographers and dance instructors, the timetable is full from morning to night, seven days a week. The extra magic is the stunning location- on a wharf by the glistening harbour. sydneydancecompany.com
Swing Dance
Stanmore Community Church, cnr of Salisbury Rd and Cardigan St, Stanmore
While you must have seen the buoyant and athletic swing dancers in black and white films, you may not have realised that the form is still alive and an incredibly fun way to socialise and get fit at the same time. Swing Dancers are generally a friendly bunch so don’t be timid to go alone. You can learn lindy hop, charleston and other swing dances to get you up to speed to attend their regular parties. swingdancesydney.com
Latin Motion
Level 2, 127 Liverpool street, Sydney
While Salsa dance originated in the Caribbean, it has swept the world in the past decades and you can drop in on dance nights from Sydney to Dubai to Tokyo. Learn the basics in a supportive and motivating environment then work your way up. Other styles to try are Samba, Zouk, Kisomba and Bachata. Latin Motion is directed by Oliver Pineda, 8 x World Salsa Champion. latinmotion.com.au
Groove Therapy
107 Redfern Street, Redfern
These guys are so hip it hurts. Their hip hop for beginners classes are all about loud music, street dance style moves and tonnes of friendly people, and they are incredibly fun. Plus, you’ll find your muscles will be sore the next day… in a good way. And you’ll want to grab a bite afterwards with everyone. groovetherapy101.com
Vintage Burlesque
Marrickville/ Newtown/Surry Hills
Pick up the art of vintage burlesque dance with performer Sheena Miss Demeanour at the Vintage Burlesque school. Learn signature burlesque moves, a bit of bump ‘n grind, 60’s go-go, 70’s soul train and have a ball learning how to strut your stuff. facebook.com/sydneyvintagedancestudio
Diana Reyes Flamenco
585B King Street, Newtown
Be transported to the south of Spain with some flamenco classes by the fabulous Diana Reyes. Mostly accompanied by live musicians and singers, the classes will have you dancing, clapping and stomping out your frustrations and turning them into passionate movements of intense emotion. dianareyesflamenco.com.au
Retrosweat
Redfern/ Randwick/ Surry Hills
Harking back to the tights and lycra days of the 80s, these classes are pure joy. The moves are fast and you’ll be concentrating so much you won’t even realise you’re sweating! The music is a stead mix of all your 80s favourites and the energy is so intense you’ll want to come back every week. retrosweat.com.au
Love fitness? Of course you do. While you’re here why don’t you sign up to our newsletter and be the first to receive gym and class discounts, access to exclusive workouts, competitions and a whole lot of fitness information for living a healthy life in Sydney!
