If the thought of exercise conjures up a vision of a tough work out in a sweaty gym, don’t worry… there are more fun ways of getting fit and burning up those extra calories.

Salsa Fitness fact:- Calories burnt 180-300 per hour

Salsa is a funky combination of Latin-American and Afro-Caribbean dance styles. It’s taken the world by storm, and in UK alone there are more than 50,000 taking weekly classes.

It’s a fantastic way to keep fit, tone up and improve your social life. You can go alone as there’s plenty of opportunity to dance with different partners.

Because it’s so much fun it’s a really easy way to keep in shape, and there are plenty of classes to choose from in the UAE.

Visit salsaarabia.com for details of their classes.

Belly Dancing Fitness fact:- Calories burnt 180-300 per hour

The ancient art of belly dancing is a brilliant way of improving your flexibility and toning up your whole body.

A good programme will work the legs, waist, hips, thighs and bum - and give you those curves you’re looking for.

Check local clubs websites for details of classes near you.

Disco Fitness fact:- Calories burnt up to 400 per hour

Have a night out on the town and burn up all those extra calories. Make sure you don’t eat and drink too much on the night though, or you’ll cancel out the benefits of all that calorie burning.

Drink lots of water between dances so you don’t get dehydrated. If you feel thirsty, you’re already in the dehydration zone.

Aqua Aerobics Fitness fact:- Calories burnt 450-700 per hour

A cool workout for the summer months, and it’s fun too. Just see (above) how many calories you can burn in an hour’s vigorous aqua session!

It’s a great all round workout suitable for all ages and levels of fitness, and it’s an ideal way of getting into the sunshine without burning up on the beach.

It’s also especially good if you have an injury or a bad back, as the water takes up all the weight while you improve your muscle tone and body strength.

See websites of local clubs for aqua aerobics classes in your area.