(NORTH SIOUX CITY, SD) If you're looking for a fun and easy way to burn off those unwanted holiday pounds, Zumba Fitness sets Latin dance moves to international rhythms. We break it down at a Friday morning class.
For instructor Amy Hodge and her students, Zumba Fitness is an upbeat alternative to their regular gym routines.
"It's a challenge to try to keep up with her," says Elizabeth Berkemier, Zumba student. "It's the most fun I've ever had exercising and I was getting very bored with my regular exercise routine."
"It was entertaining and I don't feel like I just worked out. I mean, I'm sweaty and kind of gross-looking but I feel really good," says Debbie Bernstein LaCroix, Zumba student.
"It is a workout that I don't have to talk myself into," says Amy Hodge, Zumba instructor.
Zumba gets you moving without even thinking about it.
"It's exercise in disguise," says LaCroix.
"Who doesn't like to do a good salsa?" says Berkemier.
"If you take your Zumba class up to a more intense, more vigorous level, you can burn 800 to 1000 calories per hour. That's a lot of walking," says Hodge.
What starts as a fun 45 minutes can change your life.
"Zumba Fitness has taken 35 pounds off of my body," says Hodge.
"Well to date this year I've lost 40 pounds and Zumba is responsible for at least half of that," says Berkemier.
And once you get moving, changes to your body and mind follow.
"It's changed how I look, it's changed how I feel, it's made me enjoy moving," says Hodge.
"It helps compliment my healthy eating but it also allows me to indulge a little bit as long as I Zumba afterwards," says Berkemier.
It's not a competition or an audition, it's a fitness class set to music, exercise in disguise.
Amy Hodge teaches regular Zumba classes along with Zumba Gold, toning and kids. The Zumba kids class from Irving Elementary will be performing Friday night at 7:00 PM at a benefit for the school at Central Baptist Church.
To learn more about Zumba Fitness, check out http://12219.zumba.com/.
You can also email Amy with questions at amyfhodge@msn.com or call 712-204-5919.
Reported by Erika Thomas. You can contact her at ethomas@kmeg.com.
Friend her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ErikaThomasTV.
