(MENAFN - Muscat Daily) At 58 John Graham barely knew a thing or two about dance. If asked he'd confess that he was highly 'uncoordinated and wouldn't be able to match steps with the rhythm'.

But over the last couple of months Graham has been watching his dance moves closely in the full-length mirrors that adorn the wall at his gym. For a change he seems to be enjoying swinging his feet and swaying his hands caring little about coordination.

The high-on-energy Bollywood music that he has been grooving to could have had something to do with it but burning calories was the initial draw he claimed.

Graham and his wife both 'reluctant dancers' are among the many fitness enthusiasts who have taken a liking to what they describe as a 'fun cardio-workout' called the aerodance to stay healthy and on top of their game. It's like aerobics and yet not said Graham.

Involving a combination of free-style movements inspired from Jazz Zumba Salsa and Arabic dance forms among others the hour-long exercise regime which is performed to popular Bollywood tracks is drawing the attention of both the young and old who want to break away from the regular diet of cardio and aerobic routines.

'Working out on the treadmill and the cycle can get boring' said Smina al Mahrooqi who is in her 30s and a regular at the aerodance class for the last eight months.

Shedding her inhibitions about whether she was cut out for dance was the start. 'I have always wanted to dance but lacked the courage. But the energy levels in this class are so high you just get convinced that it's the best thing to keep you in shape' admitted Smina adding that 'learning new dance steps especially the Bollywood moves' was inviting enough.

'Dancing can be both liberating and de-stressing' said aerodance instructor and master choreographer Muhammad Aleem Khan who first introduced the class in Muscat at the Balance Health and Fitness Centre Qurm adding 'This is why aerodance works; it is basically a combination of aerobics and different dance styles set to music. But the choreography is intended to target core muscle groups. As trainers we know which muscles need to be worked upon to burn fat so we incorporate dance steps that will work on those particular muscles.'

According to Khan Bollywood music is best suited for the workout because it is freestyle just like the dance moves. 'It's also the most popular music across nationalities so though some students don't understand the lyrics they enjoy it nonetheless because they've definitely heard it before' he said.

Generally an aerodance class is around 45 minutes long but the one designed by Khan a certified trainer from Fitness Champion Malaysia who has also registered his aerodance choreography with the same organisation lasts for around an hour.

Read more:
Aerobics, Bollywood style