Top 10 Hardest Partner Dances to Pull Off

Don’t be fooled by the simplicity of the steps; this dance isn’t for the faint-hearted. And if you find clapping on beat a challenge, you might want to work on perfecting that before reaching for your dance shoes. The Huapango, which hails from Mexico and also refers to types of music, is uptempo and requires fast footwork to match the melody’s tricky triple-meter rhythm. In the Nahuatl language, Huapango translates to “on top of wood.” Indeed, wooden platforms are often danced on with this style, meaning you’ll hear the percussion. Well, you know what that means; if you or your partner miss a step or dance off-beat, there's nowhere to hide.

#9: Cha-cha-cha

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Top 10 Hardest Latin Dances to Pull Off

We know what you’re thinking, you just go one, two cha-cha-cha, and you’ve nailed it, right? Well, no, not exactly. For starters, you should count three full beats and two half ones, plus there’s some very precise footwork involved. You must travel on straight legs, only moving forward on the balls of your feet. Heel leads are not allowed and can make you look flat-footed. If that’s not enough to think about, don’t forget that hip action, this is a Latin dance, after all. It’s like trying to rub your head and pat your stomach simultaneously. Or is it the other way around…? The point is there’s a lot to think about.

The Viennese waltz, originating from today’s Germany and Austria, is one of the oldest ballroom dances. There aren’t many steps to learn, but it traditionally includes the natural turn, reverse turn, and change step. However, while it’s in the same family as the English Waltz, it’s about twice the speed. Plus, you’re consistently rotating, so easy it isn’t. In fact, we’re feeling a little queasy just at the thought of spinning so fast for that long. As you can imagine, trying to stay synchronized with your partner, maintaining good posture, and keeping your lunch down is quite the challenge. And if you lose any of that, it’s hard to get back on track.

If you surveyed 100 dancers and asked them which of the Latin dances is the hardest, a good number would probably say the Samba. While it’s one of the freest styles, there’s still a dizzying amount of elements to consider. First and foremost, nailing the speed is critical. You have to be light on your toes in order to get that bounce movement, and to stay on top of the shifting rhythms. The dance requires your whole body to get involved, from your arms to your hips to the balls of your feet — and did we mention it’s fast? If you can master all that, you’re ready for the Carnaval!

There’s a false belief that slower dances are easier; however, the Rumba proves otherwise. If anything, in each step, everything from the placement of a foot to the extension of the fingertips is more exposed. To say there’s a lot of technique to master is a serious understatement, and since the dance is so slow, any mistakes are glaringly obvious. Rumba, which essentially translates to party, originated in Cuba among enslaved African populations centuries ago. It’s undoubtedly a good time and is visually stunning. But it’s hard to feel sexy and connect with your partner while trying to remember the technique and keep in time.

Salsa comes in many forms but none are quite as hot as the Caleña. Originating from the world’s “Salsa capital,” Cali, Colombia, this dance is notable for its fast footwork, hypnotic hip action, and occasionally even some acrobatic choreography. Other Salsas are typically danced with Cross-body leads, but this version focuses more heavily on rapid and fluid movements from the waist down. Improvisation can play a part too, you have to be quick on your feet in every sense of the phrase. You also have to be intuitive to your partner’s body and be able to communicate through movement. That’s no small task.

An umbrella term for social dances, Swing dance is from around the early to mid-20th century. Styles include the Jive, Balboa, Collegiate Shag, Lindy Hop, Charleston, Jitterbug, and more. If you’ve seen these dances in action, you’ll know they’re usually very speedy and require a lot of stamina and energy. Choreography can include various aerial moves, including lifts and flips, so a level of athleticism is ideal. And if you’re not feeling challenged? Each style also consists of its own steps, tempos, and rhythms and is improvised in certain cases, so being acutely in tune with your partner is vital. One wrong step can end in disaster, especially when moving that fast. This animated style is stimulating for both your body and your mind.

It’s there in the title, isn’t it? Well, actually, the tempo is a little more complex than just sprinting around the stage. But don’t get us wrong, it’s still very quick, and there are a lot of steps. The dance can be traced back to England in the 1920s and is an amalgamation of several other styles. Strength, fitness and agility are crucial, since the choreography entails running, skipping, and kicking to between 192 and 208 beats per minute, just for context; that’s this fast. The dance also needs to appear elegant, and you need to hold your frame steady while moving from the waist down. They don't ask for much, do they?

If we surveyed that same group of 100 dancers from before and asked what the toughest ballroom dance was, the slow Foxtrot would likely come out on top. The tempo follows a slow-quick-quick pattern, yet you need to be in control of your body to create the illusion of gliding around the dance floor. This is made harder by the shifts in body weight, horizontal movements, and intricate footwork. You might’ve also heard of “rises and falls.” These elevate or lower the dancer’s body. Too much can look bumpy and uneven, while too little can make for a monotone performance. Plus, the timing and musicality must be immaculate. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers weren’t built in a day. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Paso Doble It Requires Power, Strength & Drama; It’s the Dance of the Matador After All Sayaw Sa Bangko The Performers Dance on & off a Number of Benches

This is perhaps the most intense, fiery, and alluring of all the partner dances, but it's arguably also the hardest. The Argentine Tango is an improvised social dance that can be traced back to the working-class communities in 19th century South America. The dance follows a strict rhythm and has some fundamental steps, but ultimately, it's about the connection between the dancers. The routine demands a lot of concentration, and you need to be physically and mentally synchronized with your partner. After all, one misguided Gancho (or hook) will leave one of you reaching for an ice pack. But when done right, the Argentine Tango's passion, force, and sensuality will leave you intoxicated.