How I Found Joy At Jazzercise
I struggled for years to find movement I truly love. Here’s how I finally found that at Jazzercise.
I’ve struggled my whole life to love exercise.
You won’t find me at the hotel gym when I’m on vacation.
I’ve never felt a runner’s high (only runner’s knee).
And I’m not one of those people who “just can’t sit still”. I can sit plenty still. Preferably under a blanket watching Netflix.
Yet over the years, I’ve aerobicized, spun, down-dogged, and tried pilates. I’ve logged hours with at-home workouts and paid personal trainers. I’ve run several 5Ks and one very ill-advised 10K. I’ve just never loved it.
I’d heard the advice to “do exercise you enjoy” a billion times but figured working out would always feel a little bit like a chore for me.
Then I Found Jazzercise
Two years ago, a client gifted me a Class Pass for free classes at area gyms, and Jazzercise immediately sprang to mind.
A neighbor had mentioned that her friend owned a nearby Jazzercise studio. “It’s supposed to be fun,” she said.
I’m an enthusiastic dancer at dancing at weddings (and in my kitchen), coordinated enough to keep a beat and eventually learn how to Floss. Yet I’ve slunk out of every Zumba and hip hop class I’ve tried in embarrassment.
I had a feeling Jazzercise would be my sweet spot.
When I walked into the studio with my Class Pass in hand, regulars welcomed me with open arms. I quickly learned that many of the them had been Jazzercising for 10, 20, even 30 years or more. Some Jazzercised every single day. Some twice a day. “It’s addictive!” they warned me with a smile. We laughed.
They were right. I spent every cent of my Class Pass on Jazzercise, then bought a 10-day pass and went nearly every day. When that ran out, I signed on the dotted line for an annual membership. Two years late, I looked forward to every single class.
For the first time in my life, I found movement that feels truly JOYFUL.
Why I Fell Hard for Jazzercise
Some people giggle at the mere mention of Jazzercise, a dance-based workout that conjures visions of leotards, legwarmers, and women grapevining in 1984.
There are still grapevines. And legwarmers–on MY legs, after a friend knit me a pair to wear to class in the winter.
There are chassés and arabesques to indulge my inner Broadway dancer. But the choreography is simple and repetitive enough to learn quickly, with new routines and songs introduced every couple of months, ranging from Lizzo and Taylor Swift to K-Pop and Country.
The happy truth is that dancing in a room full of women of all ages feels like a celebration to me. It’s like starting the day with a group dance party.
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What else keeps me coming back
No mirrors. There are no mirrors in the Jazzercise studio, which means no opportunities to pass judgment on the way I look or don’t look. Without mirrors, I am a cross between Jennifer Beals in Flashdance and JLo at the Super Bowl halftime show. I stopped wearing baggy joggers and big t-shirts to class in favor of tights and tanks that actually fit and feel cooler when I sweat.
Strength training in every workout. My entire body feels stronger than it’s ever been, since strength training with weights or bands is incorporated into every class. I’m so grateful for that because I know maintaining muscle is critical as I get older.
Constantly changing music and routines. Jazzercise releases new songs and routines every few months, so set lists are always changing. With so many years’ worth of songs to choose from, instructors blends old with new, bringing back favorite routines while introducing new ones.
But most of all, Jazzercise feels like exercise I GET to do, not HAVE to do. At this point in my life, what’s most important to me is to move in a way that makes me happy.
I’m thrilled that finally, in my 40s, I genuinely “do exercise I enjoy” when it comes to movement–and that for the first time in my life, exercise doesn’t feel like a struggle. It feels like joy.
Welcome to the tribe:)
I love this!! I’m totally checking out my local options ASAP!
Also, it’s so weird, but I kind of got those misty “end of a feel-good movie” tears welling up when I imagined all of you having such a great time with NO MIRRORS! Yayyy!!
Cheryll–Yes, the no mirrors part is KEY. I honestly don’t think I’d enjoy it as much if I were spending time scrutinizing myself in the mirror–or noticing that I’m not quite as graceful as I feel inside. 🙂
I read this after coming home from Jazzercise! I’ve recently gone back after having my baby last June, and while I’m not as bouncy as I used to be, I know I’m getting stronger each class. Thanks for sharing your story!
Melissa–The strength portion of class can be challenging for sure, but I love feeling myself getting stronger. 🙂
Wow, you have described my exercise journey perfectly! Early in my marriage, my husband was the one who liked to work out and wished I liked to exercise too. I would try a bit of this, a month of running, but I could never find something that I enjoyed enough to stick with it… until I found Jazzercise at age 40. Now 13 years later, I still go 5 times a week, and have been an instructor for almost 3 years. My husband still can’t believe that now I’m the one who wants to work out every day!
Marcia–What a great story, and so impressive that you became an instructor too!
So glad you found it and enjoy it as much as I do! I was a student for 10 years before I certified to teach. It’s the best community of friends and I love it so much!
when i starred with jazzercise back in “the good old days” of the early 80’s,we were doing jazzercise barefoot,wore lycra leotards and tights..no aerobic shoes,and did group routines..i loved it because i had a dance background, and had been doing “aerobics” from videos or various tv shows (old richard simmons comes to mind)..i was even asked to try out to be an instructor at,but i did not due to other commitments at the time..i kept going to classes through various changes in location and instructors,and wound up being a “door lady” for the last instructor i had,checking in people in at the front door or desk of whichever facility was being used,by “punching” the card they bought for classes (no internet use or credit cards then)..oh yes..lots of great memories..the program has changed considerably since those days and weights,balls,exercise bands and the like have been added,but the principle is still the same..enjoy the music,dance like nobodys watching,meet and make new friends,try new moves and SMILE!!!
I love this!!! Some of the ladies at the studio I belong to talk about those “barefoot” days, and Jazzercising in church basements on carpet. What I’m always struck by is how long so many of the women there have been going–10, 20, 30 or more years! And some of them come to the studio every day. I’m so glad I found something I love so much and that I can do for years to come without getting bored because there are always new routines and new songs. And the community of women is wonderful too. Thank you so much for your comment. I love “enjoy the music, dance like nobodys watching, meet and make new friends, try new moves and SMILE!!!” 🙂
I loved the old Jazzercise back in the 80s and even Jazzercised when I was seven months pregnant. I’ve thought of coming back, but I’m not thrilled with the thought of weights, bands etc. I mainly liked it just for the dance aspect! I wish it wouldn’t have changed or I’’d be back immediately!
Hi Stef! Yes, every class at my studio has some strength in it–about 4-5 songs. I have to say this is the strongest I’ve ever felt because I lift weights so consistently now, and they still make it fun (great music that’s always changing). It’s definitely harder and not as “fun” as the dance songs, but I keep in mind that maintaining muscle mass is so important especially as we age. I hope you give it another try! 🙂