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All That Jazz!

Getting Fit with Jazzercise

By Carma Haley Shoemaker

You've decided to start an exercise routine, and this time you really mean it. You've chosen the program or routine you want to do. You're ready to go and are actually excited. But then, after a few days or – if you are really stubborn and try to stick to it – a couple of weeks, you are bored, lose your motivation and are once again looking for a new exercise routine. Sound familiar? Then why not add a little "jazz" to your life?

According to Jazzercise's mission statement, "People participate in Jazzercise in every community worldwide every day. Dynamic instructors teach well-attended classes and make a positive impact on people's lives." But what is Jazzercise?

Jazzercise was created in 1969 by a professional dancer from Illinois named Judi Sheppard Missett. "There was no fitness movement," says Missett. "For people who wanted to exercise, the choices were calisthenics, which are real boring, or a dance class. I thought a combination might be fun."

Accredited by the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA), the Jazzercise program offers a blend of jazz dance and easy-to-follow exercise movements set to various music including pop, jazz, country, funk and classics. Each 60-minute class includes a "gentle" warm-up, a 30-minute aerobic workout, a muscle toning and strengthening session – which may be done with weights at some facilities – and a stretch finale or warm-down. "But it doesn't seem like exercise at all," says Karen Brewer, a housewife from Atlanta, Ga. "It is fun and lighthearted. Oh, but don't be fooled – you'll sweat. You'll just have a great time doing it."

The benefits of Jazzercise cannot be measured only with appearance and weight, as they go much, much further. Many areas of life reap the benefits of Jazzercise. In addition to the obvious – the health benefits – Jazzercise also offers benefits such as social interaction, motivation and fun. Never thought you could get more than sweat from your exercise routine? Then you've never tried Jazzercise.

Want to see more?

• Gym Bound: Is Joining a Gym Right for You?
• The Woman's Got "Curves": Fast-Growing Workout Franchise Offers Fun and Fitness
• Strength Training: How Women Build Muscle
• Talk about it!