It looks intimidating, doesn't it? That room at the gym where they have classes with names like Cardio Kickboxing, Step Funk and Power Pump. As you've walked by, you've watched the exercisers out of the corner of your eye - everybody's moving perfectly in step with the instructor and it looks like fun. But you know you could never do that - you're a klutz with two left feet. You trip over yourself walking from the Stairmaster to the treadmill, both of which are getting really boring. Well, guess what? If, for a few minutes, you can stop telling yourself that you can't do aerobics, maybe - just maybe - you'll discover that you actually can.

Let's go back to the aerobics room. If you were to stand by the door while a class was in session and really watch all the exercisers for a while, you might notice something interesting - most of these people are screwing up and making mistakes. Assuming that this isn't some extremely advanced class, nobody is imitating the instructor's steps perfectly, with the possible exception of a couple of people way up in front (that's where the know-it-alls always park themselves). And these people aren't dying of embarrassment every time they make a false move - they're enjoying themselves anyway, and sweating and getting a workout. There's your first lesson in aerobic dance - you don't have to do it perfectly and you'll still burn calories. This isn't an audition for A Chorus Line (not even the high school production of A Chorus Line). It's a way to work up a sweat and have fun at the same time. If you have the willingness to lose your self-consciousness and start from the beginning, you will have fun doing aerobics.

You already realize the importance of having some form of cardio exercise as part of your fitness routine. Everyone knows it burns calories, which helps manage weight. It's also the best form of exercise for one muscle in particular - your heart (which is why it's called "cardio exercise" in the first place). Your lungs also come into play, because the oxygen you breathe in is circulated throughout your body via the blood your heart is pumping (at least that's the non-scientific way of explaining it). That's where the term "aerobic dance" comes in - all that moving around is causing you to take really big gulps of air. You should get in some form of cardio or aerobic exercise most days, and you should change what you do regularly so that you don't get bored and your body consistently gets challenged. Adding aerobics classes or videos is a good way of changing up your cardio routine and keeping things interesting. It also enhances your agility and balance in a way that walking or the elliptical machine can't.

While nearly anyone can learn enough aerobic dance moves to get by, there really are some people who aren't suited for this type of activity. There are also some tips you should know before starting your first class.

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