I took a hip-hop dance class as a cardio hater—here’s how it went

I’ve always dreaded cardio—the thought of slogging through a treadmill session isn’t my idea of fun. But then I found DivaDance in Austin, and suddenly, getting in shape feels less like a chore and more like a night out with friends. Here’s how this dance studio is changing the way I move.  My DivaDance experience DivaDance offers a variety of classes throughout the week, from hip hop to dance fitness, with difficulty levels ranging from beginner-friendly to challenging. I decided to sign up for a hip-hop class set to Sticky by Tyler, The Creator.  When I arrived with my guest, I was greeted by Taylor, the lead instructor, and the DivaDance staff. They introduced us to the space—a large studio lined with tall mirrors. After stashing our belongings in cubbies, the class started with an easy warm-up to loosen up our muscles before diving into the choreography.  Taylor broke the routine into five sections, teaching each one slowly and without music first. Since Sticky is a fast-paced song, she took time to explain every move, making sure everyone could follow along. Once we got comfortable with a section, we added music to practice at full speed.  As someone who’s relatively...