What Is DanceSport?

DanceSport is a modern form of ballroom dancing combining the area of exercise with social skills. All over the world, people of all ages are looking for a way to get in shape, increase energy and look great as they learn the social graces. DanceSport is truly a socially interactive activity that brings that special pleasure of moving to music with a partner but also adds an activity with merit in the aerobic arena.

At Wilson’s DanceSport, the competitive and athletic nature of dance is balanced with artistic expression in all styles.

The History of DanceSport

The earliest forms of ballroom dancing date back to the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries with the French minuet, the quadrille in England and France, the waltz in Austria, and the polka in Poland. At this time dancing took on the mood of polite competition and called for physical training, a set form, and body rules which required coaching from the dance masters, as well as more and more elaborate costumes.

In the early twentieth century, the rhythms of African, Cuban and Western cultures began to merge creating an inter-cultural pastime. This was when the Foxtrot, Lindy, Swing, Tango, Samba and Cha cha cha were introduced. The popularity of these dances gave birth to an era of fun in learning to dance. Moreover, it presented an opportunity for people of both sexes to meet in an atmosphere free of commitment and risk.

Ironically, the modern form of traditional ballroom dance declined after World War II in the USA. Partner dancing, however, continued throughout the rock 'n roll era, emerging once again in the 70s with the Disco Hustle from Saturday Night Fever. The 80s brought the exhilarating Dirty Dancing and the incredibly hot Lambada, Salsa, and Mambo. Films like True Lies, Scent of a Woman, and Tango Bar in the 90s brought much attention to the Tango. The Samba had its turn in Strictly Ballroom and TV's “Frasier”. Great ballroom dancing on the big screen and on Broadway have been featured in Strictly Ballroom, Shall We Dance, Grand Hotel, Tango Argentino, Forever Tango and Steel Pier. Now with the overwhelming success of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, everyone wants to dance.

DanceSport Today

Ballroom dancing has evolved into a highly participated and organized sport. It was recognized by the International Olympic Committee and granted a provisional Olympic sport status in 1997. Overseas, the International DanceSport Federation is robust and growing with 62 member countries on six continents.

Numerous scientific studies have been performed showing the aerobic value of DanceSport in recent years. The University of Australia found that an international Rumba can give the body more tone than running, and an international Tango can raise the heart rate higher than a game of squash. In Germany, doctors found significant athletic advantage in dance when they wired the country's 800-meter running champions and its amateur dance champions. Finally, according to the 1991 Steven F. Loy, Ph.D., International Journal of Sports Medicine study, ballroom dancing has the potential to meet exercise intensity criteria regardless of skill level and dances selected.

These are just some of the reasons dancers are drawn to competitive DanceSport activities today. With modern society’s focus on health and holistic well-being, DanceSport is experiencing unprecedented growth.