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| Students learn the moves during the world record attempt during Orientation Week. (Nick Pearce Photo) |
We’ve got a fever and the only cure is more fiesta!
Nearly 600 students and staff Zumba’d in the mist on Wickwire Field during Orientation Week. Hundreds of students Zumba each week at Dalplex and other gyms across the city. You can even Zumba in the water now if you’re so inclined.
The fitness climate in Halifax is certainly heating up thanks in part to the popularity of this Latin-inspired fitness routine.
Zumba was first offered at Dalhousie last September as an experiment of sorts. The class was a trial and dependent upon whether or not people actually came to the classes.
To say the program took off would be an understatement. One night, 389 people showed up to shake it, Zumba-style.
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| Richard Gormley shows people how it's done.(Nick Pearce Photo) |
In fact, the interest was so great that the classes needed to be moved to a larger space to accommodate all of the fiesta-ready participants. While not every night sees a record-breaking 389 participants, the numbers usually are well into the triple digits, according to Anne LeBlanc, fitness coordinator at Dalplex.
The enthusiasm of Zumba instructor Richard Gormley is enough to inspire anybody to sweat to the Latin beats. “I love it! I’m so lucky to get to teach Zumba,” says an exuberant Mr. Gormley.
Based on the success of the regular Zumba classes, Dalplex is also offering AquaZumba and Zumba Gold this year. The AquaZumba class is the only one of its kind in Halifax and takes place, as the name implies, in the water. Zumba Gold is geared more towards older adults or people with mobility issues and offers a low-impact alternative to regular Zumba classes.
“We always try to find something new to put on the schedule each year to stay on top of things,” says Anne LeBlanc in reference to the new offerings.
LeBlanc was mum about any further new and innovative offerings on the fitness schedule. Instead, she merely said she was looking into “a few options” for January. In the meantime, sashay or cha-cha-cha your way to Dalplex to see what all the fuss is about.
Zumba at Dalplex schedule: Tuesdays: 1:15 p.m.- 2:15 p.m. Zumba Gold, 7:45 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Zumba. Thursdays: 6:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m. AquaZumba, 7:45 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Zumba.
SEE MORE PHOTOS: Join the party (Nick Pearce Photos)
LINK: Athletics and Recreation