If you’re female, and you’ve never been to an aerobics class then I have no idea where you’ve been. Everyone knows what aerobics is; Eric Prydz’s ‘Call On Me’ video was a prime example of the traditional aerobics style moves being taken to the extreme. Of course, on campus the aerobics classes don’t focus on raunchy grinding, they focus on fitness and fun.
According to The Sunday Times, research suggests that 20 minutes of aerobic exercise per day is the absolute best way to increase fitness levels and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Aerobics classes are a specialised form of exercise that strengthens the body’s cardiovascular system without overly stressing any particular part of the body. It is seen by many to be a very attractive form of exercise; burning calories whilst working out to music and not leading to grotesque musculature, which most women wish to avoid.
Aerobics classes run by the Aerobics Society this term are Monday 6.45-8pm, Thursdays 5.30-6.30 both in L/N/028 and Thursday 6.45-7.45pm at Derwent Squash Courts, then finally Saturdays 6-7pm in James Hall. Aerobics classes at Uni, like any other aerobics classes, involve some easy and some complicated choreography. I say complicated but most would probably find them very easy to get into the swing of; those that lack co-ordination may find getting legs and arms to work at the same time rather tricky… or not.
On Wednesday 1st June, the University of York’s aerobics society undertook an aerobic-athon and managed to raise over £400 for RAG throughout the afternoon. Four aerobics classes took place over various parts of campus and the girls (and boys) ‘grapevined’ between class venues. As a girl who has trouble keeping up with just one aerobics class a week, I would argue that those who took part in all four of the classes are fitness goddesses and possibly deserve some sort of aerobics medal.
Katie Lee, president of the society and aerobics instructor, said that everyone thoroughly enjoyed the day, that it was definitely worth the aching legs and that they are absolutely thrilled about how much they managed to raise for RAG. She added that they wanted to do something new and exciting that had never been done before and that led them to creating the aerobic-athon. The participants on the day were able to make a great impression on campus in their brightly coloured outfits; they attracted a lot of attention and so raised lots of money.
Aerobics is one of the best opportunities available to students on campus who wish to keep fit and healthy in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. If playing sport is really not for you, but you want to increase your daily dose of exercise, aerobics is an attractive prospect – and it isn’t limited to females. Several males attend aerobics classes on campus, as it is a genuinely fantastic way to keep fit and get your heart rate pumping!
Moving away from campus aerobics; there are plenty of other avenues for fitness, similar in style to aerobics but avoiding sport. Zumba is one of the fitness regimes that is taking the limelight at the moment. The waiting list to sign up for the weekly classes at my gym where my parents live is ridiculously long. So what is the fuss all about?
Zumba describe their program as “partying yourself into shape” on their website (I’m sure we can all do that at Ziggy’s but I assume this kind of fitness is the non-alcoholic kind). It’s described on their website as “exhilarating, effective and easy to follow, moving millions of people towards joy and health.” Their description makes me giggle – but in all seriousness, people are literally queueing to join Zumba classes.
Since its conception in 2001, the Zumba program has grown to become the world’s largest and most successful dance-fitness program with more than 12 million people of all shapes, sizes and ages taking part in weekly classes in more than 125 countries.
Coincidentally, it originated from an aerobics class. Alberto ‘Beto’ Perez, the fitness instructor who created the Zumba experience turned up to one of his regular aerobics classes (at some point in the mid 1990s) having forgotten his traditional aerobics music. He then improvised using his own mix of music from tapes he had in his backpack (salsa and native Colombian music that he had grown up with).
Spontaneously, Perez created a new kind of dance-fitness, one that focused on letting the music move you. Apparently the class loved it and so Perez continued this new style of fitness. He took his idea to Miami, and following meetings with entrepreneurs who also hailed from Colombia. Zumba fitness was created with the aim of bringing this new dynamic fitness class to the masses. Fast forward to 2010, when Zumba became the first branded fitness programme to launch a video game on all three major gaming platforms: Wii, Xbox and PS3.
The Zumba fitness programme is available at numerous places in York. Miller’s Yard, situated on Gillygate in the centre of York hold classes every Thursday from 8.15-9.15pm; York Dance Works on Mondays from 7.30-8.30pm; York St John Sports Hall on Mondays from 5-5.55pm and at Fitness First Health Club, Clifton Moor on Tuesdays 8.15-9.15pm. See zumbayork.wordpress.com for more details.
