Zumba classes add spice to aerobic workouts

Published March 1, 2011
By Diana Eggler
CSC publicist

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The Dragon Fitness Center has turned up the heat on its aerobic workout schedule with free zumba classes, and fitness enthusiasts around Keesler are clamoring to get in on the action.

Zumba instructor Gretchen Sayers currently conducts classes for more than 100 participants at Dragon Fitness Center.

Zumba fuses together Latin and international music with an exhilarating, high-impact aerobic workout. The music used in Zumba is structured with beats and tempo changes that help to transition between toning, strengthening and cardio moves.

The class is relatively fast paced, but the workout is designed to accommodate each individual's fitness preference.

"The class is very diverse," Sayers said. "We have people of various ages, fitness levels and abilities. The good thing about zumba is that you canchoose the speed and level that suits your capabilities."

Music isn't the only component that helps make Zumba fun. Dancing has become one of the most popular forms of aerobic exercise in recent years and Zumba encompasses trendy dance forms such as the cha cha, fox trot, salsa and merengue among its catalog of routines.

"The dance element of zumba really helps people to let loose and have fun with the class," Sayers pointed out. "It becomes more of a night out with friends for them than a workout. Before they know it, participants are shedding pounds, feeling confident and having a blast. This is what Zumba is all about."

Zumba is offered noon to 1 p.m. Mondays, 5-6 p.m. Wednesdays and 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

For more information on Zumba or other free fitness classes at the Dragon Fitness Center, call 377-2907 or log on to www.keeslerservices.us.