What are the benefits of ballroom dancing?

Where can I get lessons in Saginaw, Michigan?

Has "Dancing with the Stars" encouraged people to take up ballroom dancing?

Thank you very much!

Where do you start? You could get huge responses from posters, or not much, since there are so many benefits one could list.
But I'll try to make it short: Strength; balance; confidence; setting and achieving goals; respect of the opposite sex; highly enjoyable; and on and on ...
Dancing with Stars got more people involved in watching ballroom dancing. It may have sparked an initial surge in students at studios, but it seems that the weak economy of the past few years has taken away some of that luster.

There many benefits both physical and social. You'll be told what great exercise it is but only when you really start dancing.
At first, dancing is slow and difficult. But once you learn your basic steps and can move on the dance floor, it really gets fun and addicting. No beginner ever works up a sweat dancing a waltz but for those who can dance, the waltz makes us sweat like crazy. The slow controlled movements and maintaining the correct frame takes a great deal of effort. DWTS has introduced ballroom dancing to millions but it also made it seem easy. The show might get people into the studio but it doesn't keep them there. You can't learn to dance by taking one group lesson for six weeks. It takes time, practice and commitment.
I hope you find a studio. Stay away from the chain schools (Fred Astaire, Arthur Murray) because they are very expensive.

The accuracy of this statement depends entirely on the teaching method.

If the beginners are working with a poor instructor who spends most of the lesson time ONLY on step patterns then this observation is completely correct.

Beginners are most likely to encounter this brand of instruction at the chain schools. There are more reasons to avoid them than expense although that reason is certainly the most practical.

However, if the beginners are lucky enough to get an old school instructor who drills them in footwork, legwork, posture, and body control (CBM, etc.) along with the patterns then they'll work up a sweat much sooner.

The body works hardest when it's learning new and unfamiliar movements. Once mastery is gained and the body becomes more efficient, the one-time beginners will realize their benefits from being able to dance continuously for longer periods.

I personally don't think that DWTS has been good for ballroom.

Good luck finding a studio. I'd start on the 'net by checking out lists maintained by various organizations such as USA Dance, which used to be an amateur dance body.

jj