Move · Videos · Dance · 19 min

Beginners Ballroom Workout: Cha-Cha, Jive, Quickstep

Beginners Ballroom Workout: Cha-Cha, Jive, Quickstep — video by Saga Play · 19:14

Video by Saga on YouTube · Open on YouTube

Former Strictly Come Dancing pro Ian Waite teaches cha-cha, jive and quickstep basics, then leads a routine for each and a stretch. Made for older adults but lively: the quickstep has Charleston kicks and bouncing steps, the cool-down deep lunges; no easier versions are shown.

  • 19 min
  • Beginner
  • High impact (jumping)
  • No equipment
  • Ballroom

Good forHealthy ageingDancing for fun

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Step by step 7

Tap a time to watch that step in the video.

  1. Cha-cha basics: side step and close-close, cha-cha-cha, the New York check and the square. 0:17
  2. Jive basics: taps, triple steps, back-replace and rock and roll kicks. 1:22
  3. Quickstep basics: Charleston step-tap, step-kick and step-twist, tipple and scatter chassés, bounces. 1:52
  4. Cha-cha routine: basic, New York and square, then adding the arms and arm rolls. 2:48
  5. Clear the floor and sip water, then the jive routine: taps, triple steps, back-replace and kicks. 6:49
  6. Quickstep routine: Charleston step-kicks and step-twists, tipple and scatter chassés, and bounces. 11:28
  7. Cool-down: reach up and over, a squat stretch, deep lunges, arm stretches and hip circles. 15:20

The steps are a summary in our words, checked against the video — the coach shows every move.

Form cues from the coach

  • Clear a big space and check nothing is slippery underfoot
  • Sip water between dances and keep a towel handy

What it works Whole body

Tap an area for more videos that work it.

Joints it uses 3 takes load

  • Hips takes loadCharleston kicks, high knees, lunges, step-kicks
  • Knees takes loadbounces, kicks, deep lunges, step twists
  • Ankles & feet takes loadbounces, triple steps, quick footwork
  • Shoulders movesarm rolls, arms out, arm stretches
  • Lower back moveship circles, forward fold, thrusting hips
  • Jumping or hopping. Impact goes through the ankles, knees and hips.
  • Rounding or twisting the back. With osteoporosis or a back problem, move smoothly and within comfort, and ask a physio which suit you.

Easier option from the coach: No easier versions are shown

A guide to the joints this video’s moves load, from what the coach does — not medical advice. Some ache is normal; stop if a joint hurts sharply. How joints are rated

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Video by Saga; the summary, steps, cues, body areas and joint notes are Notbroken’s, written from what the coach actually does in the video and checked a second time. Warm up first, take the easier options until a move feels easy, and stop if you feel sharp pain, chest pain or dizziness. General instruction, not advice for your body. About & safety