"It's the best form of exercise I know, and it's fun," he said.

A recent study by Italian researchers found that 21 minutes of dancing three times a week is just as beneficial a workout for a healthy heart as exercising on a bicycle or treadmill. This didn't surprise a group of local swing dancers and their teacher.

"Dancing is considered an aerobic exercise," he said. "It benefits cardiac rehab patients' hearts. The continuous motion, the consistent movement of the arms and legs, may provide the same benefits of working out on a treadmill and burning up to 250 to 400 calories an hour."

"Instead of jumping up and down, which is not good for people over 60 years old, one can dance and get the heart pounding," she explained. "Running can cause knee problems. The pounding is not good. By dancing, you can get your heart rate well above 140."

"We not only get a physical boost, but also an emotional boost. The endorphins get going and we feel good emotionally and physically," she said.

"It's fun and social," she said. "You meet lovely people. You're not isolated or at home sitting in front of the tube. If you're having fun, you look forward to it. A lot of people don't look forward to a treadmill."

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