Go-Go-a-Go-Go
What is this crazy dance form and where did it come from?
Last time I posted about dancing, it was May of last year and I was deep into a series of “Vintage Go-Go” burlesque classes in preparation for a show at Lana Lou’s in Vancouver on June 12, pictured above. That’s Melody Mangler on the far left with the flaming red hair and me with my pink hair center frame. Ah… the summer vibes!
One of my missions in the new year is to diversify my exercise routine, with the hope of getting back into the shape I was in circa 2021. I understand there are diminishing returns “at my age,” (ugh) and that it will take not only more effort, but different effort, and I’m here for it…
To that end, I’ve been spending at least an hour in the gym three times a week in addition to my usual cardio workout on the stairs in my building. I live in on the 22nd floor so I walk briskly up the stairs five or six times, at least three or four times a week. In the summer, I’ll be outside skating, biking, or playing disc golf every day, but the stairs are my winter routine.
I asked ChatGPT what it would take to get back into the shape I was in five years ago, and to be “brutally honest!” Here’s what it said:
Short answer:
About 20–30% more intentional effort — not more suffering.
Longer answer:
You need to introduce resistance that feels mildly inconvenient, 2–3x per week. That means heavier weights. If you can do 12 reps easily, you need to increase the weight.
Brutally honest bottom line:
To get back to your 2021 shape:
You don’t need more cardio
You don’t need more restriction
You do need heavier resistance and fuller-body strength work
This is the price of admission after 50 — but the payoff is better than before if you commit.
What 20-30% looks like
In addition to adding about an hour of weights and ab work three times a week, I’ve signed up for weekly spin classes and a kickboxing intro class. I’ll be checking out a reformer class at the Pilates gym around the corner for an intro class in February.
(Reformers are those crazy wooden machines that look like a medieval torture rack with a system of ropes and pullies. I never would have thought of doing that but a good friend recommended it, so I figure I’ll give it a try.)
The same friend suggested I might like a pole dancing class, and I was mildly surprised to learn they’re offered all over the city. By coincidence, another friend of mine is eager to try it, so we’re signed up for an intro class this weekend. The same gym offers aerial dance classes, which look amazingly fun.
I figure if I can keep up the 3x weekly weight training and stairs, and add some variety by way of different types of classes to get me through the winter months, the weather will improve before we know it, and then I’ll be outside skating again… hands down, my favorite form of exercise!
(For the record: I don’t think I’m in bad shape, I just want to be in better shape… arms and abs especially. And “at my age” that’s not going to just happen, sadly.)
Go-Go-Go!
Since the beginning of January, I’ve also been attending weekly go-go dancing classes with the always inspiring Melody Mangler. These take place on Mondays at 7:00 p.m. which makes it a little challenging because I commute out to the suburbs on Mondays and Tuesdays, an hour and 20 minutes each way.
By the time I get back downtown, I’m exhausted and ready for dinner and the couch, but these classes are a delightfully creative interlude and great cardio, so it’s been a lot of fun.
We arrive at the side door in an alley just off Abbott Street in Gastown. Melody lets us in and we file up two flights of steep, bare wooden stairs. The room is chilly at first as we shed our coats, umbrellas and shoes.
I’ve taken to wearing leggings and a tank top under my work clothes because my new office is so bloody cold, but it comes in handy when you’re going straight from work to a dance class.
There are about eight of us spread out across the dance floor, greeting each other and chatting while Melody gets the music ready. We start out with some much-needed stretches and everyone laughs as joints audibly pop and creak.
The first 30 minutes is stretching, learning new moves like the monkey, the twist, the pony, push turns with flailing arms, and lots of shimmying and shaking. See the end of this article for a list of classic go-go dance moves.
The second half hour is learning a short routine and practicing until the end of class, when Melody records a short video to share or not share if we wish. It’s low stakes but high energy and, by the end, we’ve spent an hour sweating and laughing.
I told a few people I was taking go-go dance classes and was surprised at how many blank looks I got in response. People really don’t know what go-go is! So here’s a quick history lesson.
What is Go-Go Dancing?
Go-go dancing originated in the early 1960s, gaining popularity at the Whisky a Go-Go bar in West Hollywood in 1964.
The term “go-go” is partially derived from the French expression à gogo (meaning ”in abundance, or galore”) or the phrase “go,” meaning trendy or all the rage. It also suggests energetic frenzy and fun, as in “go go go!”
Originally designed to entertain crowds with energetic, free-form dancers in cages or on elevated platforms, it became a defining 1960s pop culture style featuring women dressed in colorful pop art styles, fringe skirts, bikinis, Hawaiian prints and the now-iconic white vinyl go-go boots. (See the photo below. I’m second from the left)
The dancers became a staple of many nightclubs in the 60s, providing an energetic, crowd-inspiring focal point for the non-coupled dance styles that were growing in popularity with the younger generation.
Above: Go-Go dancing at the Rio Theatre in 2022.
Classic 1960s Go-Go Dance Moves
Basic Tap Step: Alternating foot taps with arm movements (alligator or fly arms)
The Twist: Classic hip-twisting, including variations like the Watusi
The Frug: A hip-heavy dance often done in place
The Swim: Mimicking swimming motions while stepping
Mashed Potato: Stepping back while twisting heels inward
The Pony: A small, bouncing gallop step
Hitch Hike: A step-touch with a thumb gesture
The Shake: A full-body shimmy
Here’s what ChatGPT says about Go-Go as a workout…
About Go-Go dance (this is secretly powerful)
This helps you:
Rotate movement patterns
Engage deep core stabilizers
Reduce cortisol
Stay consistent long-term
Do not compensate by doing extra workouts that day. Let it count.
So, that’s what I’m up to this winter… thanks for reading, everyone!