Zumba classes get your body moving
With Zumba, the rhythm is going to get you, and hopefully keep you.
Every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m., the popular exercise program comes to the North Fort Myers Recreation Center, where for 45 minutes, people work up a sweat by doing exercises that feel like dancing.
That’s because it is, sort of. It actually uses a lot of the moves from popular dances and interpolates them into exercise.
Sherry Young has taught the classes at the rec center since July. It had been there before, but was dropped when the previous instructor left for another teaching job.
“I was looking for another teaching gig next to work and home, and this came up,” Young said, who has taught Zumba since 2010. “I had heard from another instructor they were looking to revive it here.”
Zumba originated in the early 2000s as an exercise routine that incorporated Latin and international music. Over the years that has changed to include popular hits, country and hip-hop.
There are also several kinds of Zumba, such as Zumba Gold for seniors (SHARE Club has that on Wednesday), Zumba toning, Kids and aqua Zumba, even with a chair, Young said, adding they all share the same definition.
“It’s a dance party where you forget you’re exercising. You have so much fun. It used to be Latin based rhythms and has grown into a worldwide music conglomeration,” Young said. “You have African beats, Bollywood style, even country and Irish step dancing.”
Young’s class is small, usually between eight and 10, a number she hopes to grow as the summer arrives and people begin to realize Zumba is available at the rec center.
The class started out with Pherrell’s “Happy” as a warm-up before some Latin beats kicked things up a notch. There was also “The Twist,” which incorporated air guitar and that peace sign to the eyes they did in the dance scene in “Pulp Fiction.”
They also did Tequila with Pee-Wee Harman dance moves, some Bollywood and finally Michael Jackson to finish it off.
And they were right; you really do get lost in the music. You also sweat a lot. It would behoove you to wear sneakers while doing Zumba. Sandals don’t quite cut it.
Young’s students agreed with that feeling.
“It’s a good workout, it’s fun and everyone welcomes each other in. You are shy at first, but then it’s like “Oh, yeah,” said Rochelle Kolach. “It’s a good bunch of ladies and she’s a great teacher.”
“It’s just fun. I love to dance. This is a good way to do it. It’s great cardio,” said Joann Agliata, of North Fort Myers. “It’s a lot of fun and I encourage everyone.”
Classes are $5. You also have to get a lifetime Rec Center membership for $10. For more information, call Young at 462-3009.