Dancing toward a thinner you

Published Oct. 4, 2013
By Senior Airman Tiffany M. Grigg
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --

Ever gone to the beach for an entire day of fun and later felt fatigued from the swimming and running around? Or have you perhaps danced for hours into the night and the next morning discovered sore calves from the unexpected workout? Wouldn't it be great if all workouts could be this fun? With Zumba and latin/urban dance classes, getting fit and having fun go hand-in-hand!

"Zumba has a famous slogan: 'Ditch the workout and join the party!' said Antoinette "Anne Spiration" Mendoza, certified official Zumba instructor. "It pretty much speaks for itself. It is a Latin-inspired workout that consists of many different types of dance styles, such as salsa, merengue, cambia, hip- hop, reggaeton, flamenco and so much more!"

This style of workout offers men and woman a different workout routine from the norm.

"I started taking classes a month ago," said Staff Sgt. Brittany Bradford, 48th Aerospace Medical Squadron Public Health NCO in charge of epidemiology. "I've tried other methods; it seems like the same routine. The different cardio, strength training and music combined makes [working out] more entertaining."

For those born with two left feet, instructors say students do not have to be expert dancers to get a great workout from the classes.

"Believe it or not, [I] do not consider myself to be a fabulous dancer," said Mendoza. "Zumba fitness, to me, leaves more room for interpretation. Most importantly, it's non-judgmental."
Although this style of workout requires some specific steps, the instructors encourage the class to move at their own pace and to not get discouraged at missing a step.

"I break it down in easy to follow movements," said Lorraine Botwright, 48th Force Support Squadron fitness program director and instructor. "If they miss a step, the most important thing is to just keep moving."

Although the RAF Lakenheath Fitness Center evening classes taught by Mendoza are suspended due to the government shutdown, her next free class will be held at the RAF Mildenhall Bob Hope Community Center Oct. 4 from 6 to 7 p.m. and Botwright will still be offering latin/urban dance classes at 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the RAF Lakenheath Fitness Center.

For more information, call 01638523607 or DSN 226-3607.