By Daniele Frerichs
I had just finished a quick run on the treadmill one Tuesday night, and as I was headed out of the gym I heard some hip-hop music that caught my attention. I ventured toward it. What I found was a Zumba class just starting. I looked at my watch and thought to myself, well, my husband has the girls for the night, I can spare an hour right now and give this Zumba thing a try. Why not?
Well, one hour later I can honestly say that was the most FUN I have ever had working out, and I rarely hear any type of exercise described as FUN!
Maybe you have seen the late night infomercials for Zumba and have an idea of what it is. The technical definition, according to Wikipedia, is a Latin inspired dance fitness program with dance and aerobic element. But when I described it to my friends after my first class in an attempt to recruit someone to do it with me next time — yes, as soon I left that Tuesday night I already knew I was coming back — I described it as simply going out to a dance club. It felt like a party! Have you ever been or seen dance clubs packed full on weekend nights or remember the last time you were out dancing to your favorite live band? Little did you know you were doing Zumba! This is my opinion at least.
In that Zumba class they played current hip-hop songs I knew and recognized with current dance moves. Honestly, it was a lot of booty and booby shaking. Each song was so fast paced and contained a variety of dance moves that made for a total body workout in each song.
At the end, I was but was not exhausted, I think my energy level was so high — blood was pumping — I didn’t feel exhausted, but I definitely got a good, solid hour-long workout.
Not convinced yet or worried someone might make fun of you? People might make fun of you, but you will be laughing right back at them. That first class was embarrassing for me as a beginner, but as I looked around, I realized others were in the same boat.
Ready to party with some booty shaking and up for having some fun with your girlfriends? Try a different kind of workout and check out any of the Zumba classes listed below.
As for me, I settled into a lower impact Zumba-like dance class once a week and have been attending since early spring, and trust me you do improve the more you do it. And it is just plain FUN!
Champaign County YMCA
707 N. Country Fair Drive, Champaign
- Guest passes are available if you attend with a YMCA member
- Monday and Wednesday classes begin at 6 p.m.
evolve Fitness
508 N. Neil St., Champaign
- Class offered 6:30 p.m. Tuesday or 3 p.m. on Sunday.
- Group fitness punch cards available – starting with 5 classes for $40
Refinery
2302 W. John, Champaign
- Four classes weekly
Mettler Center
2906 Crossing Court, Champaign
- $8 per class or a punch card of 10 classes for $70
The Fitness Center
2508 Galen Drive, Champaign
- Classes are also offered at their Tuscola location.
- A free 7-day club pass is offered in order to try a class.
- Monday classes start at 6 a.m. or 5:45 p.m.; Wednesday classes start at 8:15 a.m. or 7 p.m.
Gold’s Gym
1914A Round Barn Road, Champaign
- Free 7-day passes to try any class
- Evening sessions are offered one day a week starting at 5:30 p.m. Check the weekly schedule above for this week’s classes.
- Some Saturday classes begin at 8 a.m.
Savoy Recreation Center
402 W. Graham Drive, Savoy
- Fees apply, but check the website for “try a class for free” weeks hosted throughout the year.
Activities and Recreations Center, University of Illinois campus
201 E Peabody Drive, Champaign
- $10 daily guest passes are available if you want to try a class.
- Thursday at 5:30 p.m. or 7 p.m.
Danville YMCA
1111 N. Vermillion St., Danville
- Guest passes are available if you attend with a YMCA member
- Tuesday and Thursday classes begin at 7 p.m.
Daniele (Cox) Frerichs is the proud mother of two beautiful girls: Lyla, 3, and Isabella, 1. She and her husband, Bruce, have been married for five years. Frerichs grew up outside of Rantoul, has lived within a 30-miles radius of Chambana her entire life, and now calls Royal home. She was educated at and now works full time for the University of Illinois.