In case you are learning belly dancing to lose weight, you can always combine the dance with an exercise program that suits you.

Discuss your routine with your fitness trainer and zero-in on a workout that best suits your body given the fact that you are already using belly dancing as an exercise.

Exercise	Calories burnt per hour
Aerobics	400
Belly Dancing	300
Cycling (Slow)	300 - 350
Cycling (fast)	600 - 800
Fast Walking	400 - 450
Sex	300 - 400
Sleeping	80

Celebrity trainer Paul Britto says: Belly dancing is a high endurance dance. It exercises all the muscles and it is a great way for one to lose weight and even maintain high fitness levels.

Remember though that if you are using it to lose weight, then make sure that your nutritionist works out a customised diet for you keeping in mind the high endurance dance.

Multi-vitamins too are a must.

In this photograph: Pop singer Jennifer Lopez

Photograph: Getty Images / Spencer Platt