Finding Fitness is more than just about scoping out the latest fitness trends; it’s about finding exciting new ways to focus on the most important subject of any story: you. From extreme sports to strange and, sometimes, uncomfortable classes, this feature is all about finding the best fitness to maximize your health. Stay tuned to find out what new and exciting fitness endeavors are in the area.
What is jazzercise?
Kerrie Shechter, who has been a certified jazzercise instructor for over 20 years, said that jazzercise is cardio, strength training and stretching set to popular music.
“We put all the songs into a format that gives you everything you need to have in one hour,” Shechter said. “[Jazzercise is] basic dance moves. All of our routines are choreographed.”
According to Shechter, Jazzercise comes in many class formats, including Dance Mixx, kickboxing, circuit workouts and body sculpting. Different Jazzercise classes have different levels of intensity. There are classes for children and seniors.
Jazzercise instructors are sent 30 new routines each month, so the classes change frequently. Most classes consist of a dance opening, a warm-up of all the major muscles, increasingly difficult cardio, and a cool-down. Some classes also include a leg or weight routine.
“We mix it up so you get both,” Shechter said. “It’s an interval, heart-rate class.”
What are the benefits?
According to the official Jazzercise website, it’s possible to burn between 600-800 calories during an hour-long Jazzercise class.
“You get all your cardio-vascular benefits, you get the strength training benefits,” Shechter said. “We also do a lot of stretching. So you get everything that you really need to do put into an hour class.”
Shechter said that because of the variety of classes that focus on exercising different parts of the body, participants always get a great workout. According to the Jazzercise website, Jazzercise fuses cardio, resistance training, Pilates, yoga, kickboxing and modern dance and offers different formats for the variety participants need to motivate themselves.
Despite these benefits, for Shechter, one of the best things about Jazzercise is the atmosphere.
“It’s a friendly atmosphere,” she said. “You make lifelong friends. It’s a place for people to go not only to get fit but to make friends. We’re like a family.”
What are the risks?
Shechter said that Jazzercise routines can be amended for participants with health issues. According to Shechter, Jazzercise instructors can give participants different options for each move.
“Our focus is to have a safe and effective class,” she said.
Caption: Jazzercise combines cardio, strength training and dance.
Credit. K. Shechter
Places to Try Jazzercise
Davie Recreation Center
3801 S. Pine Island Road, Davie, FL 33328
Cost: $15 per class
For information on class times visit jcls.jazzercise.com/facility/jazzercise-davie-recreation-center.
Elite Health – Davie
5480 Griffin Rd, Davie, FL 33314
Cost: $30-$40 a month for unlimited classes
For more information visit elitehealth.com.
Weston West Broward Int’l Dance Academy
825 Shotgun Road, Weston, FL 33326
Cost: $15 per class
For more information on class times visit jcls.jazzercise.com/facility/jazzercise-weston-international-dance-academy.
