By Amanda Monk
Moapa Valley Progress
During the first Zumba class in the Moapa Valley, women of all ages and sizes came to join the popular work-out. Drumming an imaginary drum may sound easy and even pointless to some, but try doing so in a squatting position while circling your hips for five minute intervals all while keeping tempo with heart pumping music!
More than 45 women who attended the first zumba class last week were guided through each routine for an hour by certified instructor Annie C. Leavitt.
Zumba is an exercise class that combines dancing, toning, and cardio-interval training with Latin and world rhythms music. How strenuous the workout depends on the person doing it. Many of the women in attendance were somewhat timid early on getting fully involved in the dance moves. But Leavitt was encouraging. Once the class participants realized that the exercise was an individual response of each person to the music, they felt confident enough to step-up and get involved.
“Did I mention it’s fun?” Leavitt said encouraging the class.
“As a stay at home mom group aerobics exercise classes especially motivated me,” Leavitt said.
With a low cost of only $3 dollars a class, pay as you go, 8-9 p.m., it is easy to see why so many are interested in this fitness program. The first class is always free, for those scared of signing up and deciding the work-out isn’t for them. Lacking is the gym contract or sign up fees that are often associated with taking Zumba classes.
Since the first class has been such a success, Leavitt is thinking about adding an additional class on Tuesdays. Currently she will be teaching Zumba on Thursdays at 8 p.m. in the Old Overton Gym. The dance studio is located at the rear of the gym, upstairs. Annie may be reached by email: anniecleavitt@gmail.com
