I recently was at a dance and observed a very overweight, tall gentleman just out dance everyone out there. OMG! it was a joy to watch this guy. He was an excellent lead and had a really good technique.

it's for all level and genre

I fit the seriously over-weight description, and while I feel that I should lose some weight and I'd feel better for it, I still manage to achieve a good level of dancing so that I and my dance partners can better enjoy the dancing experience. The extra weight has not prevented me in my 70's from achieving my Ballroom Oscar goal, not once, but twice, the second time to nail an honours pass. Not everyone aspires to do that of course, but carrying a bit of extra weight should not be an impediment to engaging in social dancing, or even dancesport if that is the dream. The latter has not been my goal but at the age of 76 (and a late starter at age 62) I still choose to do lessons to keep me disciplined about the skills and to expand my dancing horizons in smooth as well as standard style, latin and new vogue genres. I try and sell my passion and enthusiasm for dance with new dancers, while enjoying the cut and thrust of dancesport from the grandstand. Dancing has given me a life as a single person in retirement and it should be there for anyone else who wants to experience the enormous pleasure and health benefits of moving rhythmically to music. Learning the skills adds to the enjoyment, and one's self-esteem is "massaged" by managing to perform using them. Learning is never finite - so the opportunity to have more fun and enjoyment always beckons!

I am a short fat but adorable guy whose only exercise is dancing. People say I am light on my feet. I tell them "wait till I step on yours and then we will know for sure," however I never step on anyones feet. Dancing is life! I dance anywhere from 5-7 days a week. Dancing not only changed my life but probably saved it.

Dancing is for enjoyment. If competition and medals give you joy, fantastic. If you just want to have fun, enjoyment and socialize, brilliant. There's a form of dance for everyone to enjoy

Dancing should be for enjoyment, not just competition and how many medals you collect. The only medal I would get would be for 'Persistence', and my musical ear is not very musical, but that doesn't stop me enjoying the likes of the Grasmere Waltz, Harry Lime Mambo, a Black Onyx Tango and others.

I've seen plump dancers who are amazing. For me, being overweight impairs my skill, especially when turning is required. Plus stamina is affected when I'm overweight. My hip flexion is more obvious when I'm slim.

Must know how to move correctly..

Weight, shape, age none of that matters, if you can move to the music that is all that matters

Weight does not matter! If you've got it you've got it!

I am a comparative newcomer to ballroom/Latin even though I have my bronze preliminaries would like a dance partner to train with and go to the occasional social

Lead with rhythm and I’ll follow you with a smile on my face. Dancing is all about the connection and flow regardless of bodytype.

First of all it should be fun!

This is a stupid statement if you are familuar with dancing

If you have legs of any description you can dance

I have danced with ladies who were overweight that made a man forget all that by following like angels.
Great following and a pretty smile make a woman a joy to dance with.

Rhythm and talent are felt and seen once we quiet the mind, these two important givens are born with us, they are only silenced by the mind, the thinking, so, shut up and watch how you can dance! We all can!

Kind of a baited question to get people to respond. How about a light and fun question like, "What's your favorite color to wear when going to a dance, and why that color? (or favorite outfit?) ...Something like that.

Not everyone is looking to compete, and many slim/athletic looking people have two left feet.

Being healthy and consistent perfect practice are all anyone should be concerned with.  The question posed a false dichotomy.  Shame on you dancepartner.com.

No one should be excluded from the dance community, but having rhythm, a love of music, enjoying practice (learning steps and developing floor craft) also contribute to being a good dancer and being a fun person to dance with.

We all have preferences

I think dancing is for everyone but rhythm and height will make the experience more  interesting

Height and weight are definitely factors in a partnership, but not as important as rhythm and talent.

Kind of a silly and leading question. Seriously, is anyone going to say "Only Slim / Athletic people look good dancing"?.

Although I personally prefer dancing with slim/athletic people, dancing should be for everyone regardless of body type.

Honestly I think it’s what natural energy you have in your body to move if not being healthy/athletic does help with speed, rhythm, and technique.

With that said, slim/athletic people do look better dancing.

Dancing is one of THE most healthy, & sharably intimate art forms I've yet run across. (Albert Einstein School of Medicine has studied this against a lot of other kinds of exercise as well, & then there are the psycho-socio-emotional components that maybe someone has measured? Going in for a competition for example, produces the same levels of cortisol stress as your first parachute jump, each and EVERY time! Being judged is rough indeed). If you don't have a friendly place & person(s) to dance with, that can be almost the lonliest experience as well. True, I've never seen national finals comps with obese body types--6 to 10 heats of maximum exertion takes conditioning. My only peeve, is when someone has lost track of their mirror & wants you to do the jitterbug or jive at the same level as someone who still has their core...that's like the big belly guy who wants a bathing beauty on a dating site. There IS such a thing as a MATCHING couple in this & many other aspects of life, after all, that is, if you want the optimal synergy level, don't you think?

Dancing is great for everyone.

Joy is a birthright.

I am an attractive, slender, natural born dancer with professional training .... consider my talent a GIFT FROM GOD and for that reason L O A T H E the scantily dressed, half naked women in photos everywhere on ballroom websites online !

Stupid question.

You don't need to be a certain size to enjoy the sport! Passion of dance comes in all shapes and sizes!

My experience is that most people love to dance with those that love to dance.

My friend is obese and a bronze D. She always wins in multiple categories. Fantastic dancer.

If you like moving your body to music. Then dancing is for you regardless of your weight or size.

I was at a dance party the other day and a hefty guy began dancing and I thought, "Wow. He's a great dancer." On a cruise, I saw a very elderly lady come into the nightclub using a walker. But she and her husband were able to dance together without the walker.

Dancing is fun and size isn't a barrier as long as you're healthy enough to move your body. That means almost everyone can dance.

Dancing is about movement and balance

As far as professional competition goes I haven't seen any overweight competitors. I could be wrong. Maybe it has to do with the level of agility to execute multiple spins, splits etc. As far as social dancing goes, I don't think it matters. Just have fun with it.

oh geeez that was the most arrogant statement i have ever made and i apologise.

sad if people are judged by there size, what if the same person you villify due to there size was the surgeon standing over you on operating table, would you say no thanks your to large or to thin. every single person on this planet has a skill, irrelevant of size

Of course everyone would like to be fit, but that's not reality. Dancing is fun and great exercise.

A healthy BMI is more important for functionality and to accomplish highest athletic performance possible.