Zumba is ‘exercise in disguise'

High-energy beats pulsed through a studio one Thursday evening in the Lynnwood Recreation Center where roughly 40 people waved their arms and swiveled their hips to the rhythm of Zumba.

The Latin-inspired dance-fitness program has been picking up popularity in South County, enticing young and old, the agile and self-proclaimed uncoordinated.

“You get to cut loose and have fun, and you don't even have to be coordinated,” said Stacey Woolsey, a participant in Lynnwood's Zumba classes.

Nilda Molina is one of three instructors contracted to teach Zumba at the Lynnwood Recreation Center.

Molina started the first Zumba class in Snohomish County nearly four years ago while working for the Mill Creek YMCA in Everett, back when it was called the Southeast Family YMCA. She was familiar with the rhythms thanks to her Latin roots and took Zumba training but had no previous formal dance background.

Ideally almost anyone can do Zumba, Molina said.

“It's known as the exercise in disguise,” she said.

She tells participants they may not nail the steps every time or their body won't let them complete each move, but that's OK. The point is that they're being safe and having fun.

“It's a lot of fun. It's a big ol' party,” she said.

Additionally, it's an emotional and mental release allowing people to escape their worries for about an hour.

“You can see people's stress on their faces but their emotional baggage stays outside (the studio), and hopefully after class that baggage will be lighter,” she said.

Zumba was the “fitness craze sweeping the nation,” which is why Edmonds staffers began offering classes three years ago, said Tammy Rankins, recreation coordinator for Edmonds Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services.

Edmonds staffers started offering Zumba classes for kids and tweens earlier this month with a program called Zumbatomics.

Offering active recreation classes, like this, falls under their goals of the national “Let's Move” initiative.

“Zumbatomics is a great way to get kids active in a fun way -- and it's a great alternative for kids who are not into sports,” Rankins said.

As a cardiovascular workout, the benefits of Zumba can include calorie burn, increased bone density, improved balance and muscle tone, less body fat and lower blood pressure, according to Rankins. Zumba also allows people to connect with others in their community, she added.

“I love getting to learn real dance steps and think it is the most amazing way to burn calories without even knowing it,” said Kerry Kearney, of Edmonds.

In terms of popularity, Zumba is now what Jazzercise was during the 1980s, said Chloe Davenport, dance and fitness programmer for Mountlake Terrace. Except this takes aerobics and adds a Latin twist.

“Our society is a ‘sit in front of the computer' (society) and needs a cardiovascular workout,” Davenport said.

Want to dance?

Local cities are among those offering Zumba classes. Check websites for schedules, age restrictions and cost.

• Mountlake Terrace Recreation Pavilion, 5303 228th St. SW, Mountlake Terrace, www.mltrec.org

• Lynnwood Recreation Center, 18900 44th Ave., Lynnwood, www.playlynnwood.com

• Frances Anderson Center, 700 Main St., Edmonds, www.reczone.org