It’s a bit like singing – not everyone is going to get up on stage and belt one out, but if you’ve enjoyed a tune in the privacy of your shower you know the joy it can bring regardless of talent.

OK, so we’ve established dancing is for everybody – but what kind of dancing is the most suitable for you? For some just popping on a song at home and thrashing wildly in the garage or leaping gracefully about the living room will do. But what if you want to take it further? 

Here we’ve rounded up some of the lesser known types of dance you might like to try. Of course, there’s ballroom, ballet, tap, jazz and swing which are all fantastic forms of fitness and great fun. But here’s a few options for toe tapping and torso twisting which are slightly more outside the box.

This type of dancing combines classical dance technique with acrobatic techniques. Think Cirque Du Soleil. And while it does require a certain athleticism, there are amateur and professional forms of practice. The challenging activity seamlessly blends dance and acrobatics into unique choreography.

Pole dancing combines dance and acrobatics centered around a vertical pole. While it has been known as an erotic form of dance in certain types of clubs, in recent years it has gained popularity as a mainstream form of fitness. This type of dance requires significant muscular endurance, co-ordination and flexibility, particularly for the upper body.

This expressive Arab dance originated in Egypt and emphasises complex movements of the torso – hence the name. It also focuses on articulation of the hips. Belly dancing has evolved to take on many forms depending on country and region. Costumes are often a fitted bra and pants or skirt with a belt adorned with sequins, bells, beads or coins.

Most people are familiar with the American-style cheerleading from the movies, where a team of dancers cheer for a sports team performing physical activities in time with music.

It has taken off as a form of competitive dance, and also as a fitness activity. Routines are generally three to five minutes in length and consist of tumbling, jumping, stunting, cheering and dancing.