Creative Movement for Wellbeing is one of the new courses shaking up the usual lineup of physical education options at the University of Georgia. Franklin’s Department of Dance collaborated with the Department of Kinesiology to launch six new Physical Education-Basic (PEDB) courses that invite students into a new space. Instead of treadmills or traditional PE drills, participants explore improvisation and expressive activities designed to support both physical and mental health.

It turns out the dance department might be onto something. Researchers have been taking a closer look at dance as a form of exercise, and the results are striking. A February 2024 study in Sports Medicine compared dance with more conventional workouts such as walking, weight training, and martial arts. The study included participants ages 7 to 85, spanning healthy individuals and those managing chronic conditions. Across the board, dance held its own and, in some cases, outperformed the alternatives showing that structured dance can serve as an evidence‑based substitute for people who prefer it over traditional exercise. That validation gives new weight to courses like Creative Movement for Wellbeing, which blend physical activity with creativity, social connection, and stress relief.

“Dance is uniquely suited to provide optimal benefits,” says Rebecca Gose, associate professor of dance and head of the UGA dance department. “It combines physical activity and expressivity with social and emotional engagement and can serve as an alternative or supplement to more sports-focused physical activity. And although competition can be fun, in our dance classes there are no winners or losers.”

For UGA students, these courses offer a refreshing way to meet the one‑credit PE requirement while discovering a form of movement that feels energizing rather than routine. Whether someone is looking to boost their fitness, unwind from academic pressures, or simply try something new, one of these classes might be the most joyful prescription for better health.