Oh, come on, people! Why is it that whenever someone mentions dance, boys roll their eyes and act like it’s not an actual sport? Let’s get real for a second and address why dance should totally be considered a sport.

First off, have you ever tried doing a pirouette (one or multiple turns on one leg) or a grand jeté (leap into splits)? Yeah, I didn’t think so. Ballet dancers literally train their entire lives, starting from when they’re young children, to perfect their craft. They have to be strong, flexible and have insane endurance.

 It’s way more than prancing around in tutus; dance is like gymnastics on steroids. And don’t even get me started on hip-hop dancers. They pull off moves that require way more agility and stamina than running around a field chasing a ball.

Let’s talk about the intensity of dance competitions. Dancers spend hours every day rehearsing, perfecting every single move. Their routines have to be nailed under pressure, just like the macho jocks in their precious ball games. But instead of just scoring points, dancers are judged on technique, precision, and performance. It’s like combining the scoring systems of gymnastics, figure skating, and synchronized swimming all into one.

Dancers also have to make everything look effortless. Performing a flawless routine with a smile on their face while their muscles are screaming isn’t an easy task. Meanwhile, an overwhelming majority of “real” athletes get to take breaks every few minutes and still act like they’re the toughest ones out there.

Here’s something else to think about: Many professional athletes actually take dance classes to improve their agility and flexibility. Those football players that everyone admires so much have turned to ballet and other forms of dance to enhance their performance on the field. The precision, balance, and core strength required in dance translate directly to better coordination and movement in their respective sports. If dance is good enough to make top-tier athletes even better, it’s definitely a sport in its own right.

Let’s not forget about all those athletes who have been on “Dancing with the Stars.” Many of them come onto the show thinking dance is easy, only to realize just how physically demanding it is. By the end of their time on the show, they often have a newfound respect for dancers, acknowledging that dance requires just as much athleticism and dedication as any other sport. Their experiences on the show help break down the stereotypes while showing the world that dance is a serious, competitive, and highly skilled sport.

The next time you see a dancer, please give them the respect they deserve instead of acting like your idea of a “real” sport is the only one that matters. Dance is a sport, and it’s high time that everyone started treating it like one. Dancers are athletes who put in just as much, if not more, effort, hard work, and dedication as any other athlete.