There’s a new exercise craze happening across the nation -- and MU. It’s called Zumba.
According to sophomore Kristen Egbert, a Zumba certified instructor at MU, Zumba is a Latin-based aerobic class with modern twists. It’s described as a “feel-happy” routine and many people enjoy the class because they can work out with friends and break free from the monotony of the gym. The motto for Zumba is “Ditch the work out; join the party!” and “Live, laugh, love Zumba.”
Zumba attracts a wide variety of people of all ages, cultures, and sizes. Participants include everyone from Tina MacDowell, wife of MU’s president Dr. Michael MacDowell, to adults from the Back Mountain community, to students.
Egbert said people love the variation of the rhythms and beats because it keeps the exercise fresh.
Freshman Mary Lewis feels so many are passionate about Zumba because it provides a positive, upbeat environment. “Who doesn’t love dancing?” she said.
MacDowell believes so many are drawn to Zumba because it is new and popular. “I think it’s good for all ages because people like to dance, and size, shape and age don’t matter.”
Freshman Ashley Benz agrees that Zumba is great for all ages. “You can go with people you know and have fun. Regardless of age it’s something everyone can do. It doesn’t require strength, and Kristen is always stressing to go at your own pace.”
Egbert teaches the Zumba class at MU, and the sophomore plans to continue until she graduates. She first heard about Zumba at a gym in New Jersey, and her love of exercise and dancing made her a perfect match for Zumba. When she returned to school, she found that the closest gym offering Zumba was 20 minutes from campus. This motivated Egbert to become a certified instructor so she could teach at school.
She said she likes teaching because she meets a lot of people with different majors and interests. Egbert said being a student and instructing an aerobics class can be challenging because it takes time to create the choreography, but she feels the effort is worthwhile.
MacDowell seems just as passionate about Zumba. She first became interested when she took a dance aerobics class in Colorado. Since coming to MU, she’s been waiting for a program like Zumba to come along. Two years ago it was offered by a nursing student for one semester, but the student had to stop instructing due to clinical work.
MacDowell said Egbert is an excellent teacher who is hardworking and willing to do things to make class fun for everyone. “You feel like a dancer by the time the hour is over. It’s a really fun way to stay in shape.”
MacDowell’s favorite part is dancing to the different rhythms. Songs include everything from salsa to reggae to Latin international. MacDowell personally prefers the Latin dances because the music inspires people to dance. “The classes are run well and efficiently, using all of the time, and as the weeks go on and we learn more the class becomes fuller, completing dance after dance instead of learning them,” she said.
MacDowell feels Zumba is an excellent workout because it uses different parts of the body. Whereas classes such as kickboxing are more focused, Zumba uses more muscles in a relaxed atmosphere that lets participants “get a great workout without realizing it,” she said. Not only would MacDowell recommend Zumba to friends, she always is trying to get more people to give it a shot. There is a class just before Zumba and MacDowell is always telling the people leaving that they should stay for Zumba. She even tells people visiting Anderson because she feels Zumba is another way people can enjoy themselves in addition to walking the track.
Lewis and Benz said they heard about it through campus buzz. “There was a craze going around McHale Hall, and everyone was talking about how awesome it is, so I tried it and kept going back.” Benz said. Lewis’s friends had gone to class and had a lot of fun, so she decided to “tag along and she what it was all about.” Both would encourage others to try Zumba.
“To anyone who would just like to feel good, get fit, and have a lot of fun for an hour, try Zumba. You leave class with a smile on your face and after having a lot of fun!”
Egbert admits that she sometimes still laughs at herself in the mirror, as many people who take the class seem to do. But that just seems to add to the fun, especially with Egbert encouraging everyone to smile and sing along.
Interested students can stop by the Adult Learning Center in Mercy Hall for more information about Zumba or other fitness classes offered at MU. MU students pay only $35 a semester for either the aerobics program, which includes a variety of fitness classes including Zumba. Students can also participate in the 1-2-3 Fitness program or the Health Yoga program.
Zumba shakes up MU
Published: Sunday, March 14, 2010
Updated: Sunday, March 14, 2010 22:03
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