Remember Jazzercise? Frankly, some of us have tried to forget the neon spandex and corny soundtracks synonymous with the '80s fitness craze. But there's no arguing the benefits of shaking your booty. Today's dance-infused fitness classes offer an invigorating alternative to grinding it out on the treadmill. Whether you're a couch potato or a professional dancer, these come-as-you-are classes can get you into the groove.
BELLY DANCING
A low-impact, lower-body workout, belly dancing has become as much a performance art as a fitness practice. Contrary to common belief, the Middle Eastern traditional folk dance engages more than just the belly. It emphasizes the entire torso and uses isolated movements to express the rhythmic and emotional elements of Arabic music. Once you get the hang of it, you'll be hand circling, hip shaking and tummy rolling your way to a stronger, more flexible figure -- and often an improved body image. Start with the fundamentals and work up through more advanced levels.
Music: Arabic drum rhythms.
Apparel: Loose, comfortable clothing or dancewear recommended. (Midriff-baring tops not required.)
Cost: Classes offered year-round in 10-week sessions ($140) or for drop-ins ($16 per class).
Where: Jawaahir Dance Company and Cassandra School; Bloomington, Minneapolis and St. Paul, 612-872-6050, jawaahir.org.
INTENSATI
Created by New York City-based celebrity fitness expert Patricia Moreno, IntenSati combines personal intentions ("sati") with a series of moves from traditional aerobics, kickboxing, yoga to sculpt muscles and improve cardiovascular fitness. In a typical class, you'll be encouraged to shout out phrases such as "I am strong enough!" while doing jabs and jumping jacks. This challenging workout takes coordination and concentration, but even beginners will leave ready to take on the world.
Music: Enya to the Black Eyed Peas.
Attire: Sweat-friendly workout wear. Clean gym shoes required.
Cost: $17 per class; discount packages available.
Location: Sigh Yoga, 612 W. 54th St., Mpls., 612-824-1317, sighyoga.com.
ZUMBA
The buzz keeps growing around Zumba, maybe because it's like a Latin dance party. Created by Colombia-born choreographer and personal trainer "Beto" Perez, Zumba routines feature intervals of fast and slow movements and resistance training set to traditional Latin salsa and merengue music. The combination of foot stepping, hip shaking and good-natured gyration targets the midsection while sculpting muscles and burning fat. If at first you can't catch on to some of the trickier sequences, just make like Gloria Estefan and "come on, shake your body, baby, do the Zumba / I know you can't control yourself any longer."
Apparel: Anything you can move in freely. Margarita pants are particularly popular.
Music: Latin with other international influences.
Cost: Included in Lifetime Fitness and YMCA memberships.
Location: Multiple metro locations through Life Time Fitness, lifetimefitness.com; and YMCA, ymcatwincities.org.
NIA
If the notion of less pain, more gain puts a spring in your step, then Nia (pronounced NEE-yah) is for you. Rooted in the arts -- martial, dance and healing -- this free-flowing form of nonimpact aerobics strings together 52 movements during one continuous, hourlong routine. Fluid by nature, Nia encourages personal interpretation of each move and can be easily adapted to your fitness level. Although you can expect to tone your muscles and improve cardiovascular fitness, pleasure is the goal of the Nia experience.
Music: Tribal, with a dash of Riverdance.
Apparel: Comfortable clothing. No shoes. (Nia is performed barefoot. )
Location: Time Out Pilates and Fitness Studio, 6001 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls., 612-866-0832, mytimeoutstudio.com.
Cost: $17 per class; discount packages and monthly memberships available.
YOGA SAMBA
When Extrados spa founder Leah Simon-Clark's life began to feel unbalanced, she enlisted Brazilian native and yoga instructor Luciana Freire to help her get grounded. Simon-Clark was so pleased with Freire's Yoga Samba that she began offering women's-only classes at her Minneapolis spa. A blend of guided meditation, gentle yoga and let-loose samba dance moves, the class is like one big feel-good girl fest, with a few fanny-sculpting exercises thrown in.
Music: A combination of soothing, meditative sounds and rhythmic, upbeat samba.
Apparel: Standard yoga attire.
Cost: $20 per class.
Location: Extrados, 4279 Sheridan Av. S.; Mpls., 612-920-0051, extrados.com.
Elizabeth Dehn is a Minneapolis-based lifestyle writer and founder of BeautyBets.com.
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