Most know it as entertainment in restaurants. And now, the ancient art of bellydancing has burst onto the mainstream fitness scene.

In gyms and dance studios across the country, bellydancing classes are offered alongside aerobics and kickboxing.

Why is it so popular?

Dolphina is a certified fitness instructor who taught bellydancing classes across the country and at her studio.

"It's a great cardio workout, it improves flexibilities but it gives you curves. So it femininely tones your body. This will actually give you a waist,” says Dolphina.

"It's actually these really intricate little muscles that you don't even know you have,” says Belly Dance Student Sarita Moore.

Besides being a good workout, women are attracted to bellydancing for other reasons as well.

"I think that women find out that in their day to day lives that they have to be really strong, and it's nice to have time where they can be soft and celebrate being a woman,” says Belly Dance Student Mayra Penaloza.

"Just take you back to your body as a woman. It's very empowering and self awareness of I'm a woman and I'm damn proud,” says Penaloza.

Recent research shows you can burn over 600 calories an hour by bellydancing, even more than running.

But you need to start slowly and stop at the first sign of pain as it is easy to pull muscles that will keep you from getting back to it.