Take a lesson from the sidelined celebs on "Dancing With the Stars": "Dancing, even the casual weekend kind, is a sport. If you don't prepare your body for it, you can get hurt," says Dr. Jordan D. Metzl of the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City and sports medicine doctor for the Radio City Rockettes. Follow his tips to get moving, not moaning.

Hit the dance floor at half speed. Do the first 10 minutes of your dance session at a lower intensity to get blood circulating.

Stretch after a workout, not before. Spend 20 minutes a day limbering up when your body is warm. Try yoga poses.

Cross-train. Avoid common overuse injuries like leg muscle tears and achy joints by switching to off-your-feet workouts such as cycling or swimming once or twice a week.

Listen to your body. Relieve minor pain or sprains with an OTC anti-inflammatory remedy, together with rest and ice packs.