Week 3 - Jazzercise

Jazzercise is a dance aerobics program that has been around for 35 years and has stood the test of time. It combines kickboxing, Yoga and Pilates principles into fun dance routines set to the freshest music of various genres, music you'll hear on the radio with the original artists. This includes pop, hip-hop, rap, jazz, old standards, classical, Latin and African. The routines are professionally choreographed by the founder of Jazzercise, Judi Sheppard Missett, and reviewed by an exercise physiologist.

A normal 55-60 minute workout includes a warm up, routines of increasing intensity, 12-16 minutes of moderately high or high intensity work and then routines of decreasing intensity. We also include at least three strength routines with optional hand weights that include an upper torso; lower torso and abdominal workout and we end with a cool down and stretch. Low impact options are demonstrated and people work at their own pace. The instructor faces the class and cues the moves using a microphone so no memorization is necessary and new students can "jump right in." Routines change steadily but not all at once so things don't get dull and new muscles are targeted because the choreography changes. It’s enjoyable to be introduced to new music some of which will be known to the younger set. (And how cool is that to be able to converse with a teen about a favorite new artist?)

The benefits of Jazzercise are consistent with other aerobic workouts, including developing cardiovascular fitness; improved metabolism, increased energy; strengthening and toning of muscles; improved flexibility and balance and improved health and well-being. Other benefits include bilateral strength (because we exercise equally on both sides of our bodies), bone building (due to the weights used) mental acuity since new routines are often presented, and improved mood. Consumer Reports has reviewed Jazzercise and rated it as difficult as a hike with no pack and complete with all criterions met (aerobic, flexibility, upper torso, lower torso, weights used).

Jazzercise emphasizes pacing yourself during class by noting your perceived exertion. A Perceived Exertion Chart is on display to help you judge your exercise intensity. Monitor your breathing, heart rate and muscle sensations. Refer to the chart and to your instructor’s announcement of the intensity of the routine. If you can exercise between “Fairly Light” and “Hard” you’re likely to be within your exercise-training zone. The use of the Perceived Exertion Chart attempts to simplify yet more accurately estimate an individual’s exertion within a fast-paced class since many individual issues contribute to variations in heart rate. A talk test is also helpful. You should be able to converse comfortably while Jazzercising. During the aerobic segment your rate of breathing will increase but should be deep and regular. If you’re gasping or feel short of breath, slow down.

For Lose and Win we will cut the time into a 30-minute workout. Unlike a longer set, we won't do any floor work. And because of the large number of people likely to attend we will not expect anyone to use weights unless someone wants to use a full water bottle as a substitute. At our regular classes we provide some mats and hand weights or resistance bands to help beginners until they decide to get their own. We'll try to use the steadiest, simplest routines to help everyone have fun.

Fun really is the key to successful exercise, we feel. If you have something intrinsically fun in a workout you are more likely to stick with it. With Jazzercise the workout feels less like work and more like dancing to music. If music moves a person, Jazzercise is a good choice for an exercise regime. Most of our customers say they came for the exercise but stayed for the music, dance and camaraderie.

For class be sure to wear comfortable clothing that allows for sweat evaporation, supportive shoes and bring a water bottle. If you are a little anxious about the dance moves, you can log onto the Jazzercise web site and see instruction on the basic moves. This is not necessary, however.

Janice Woychik and Leslie Barroso started the Bar Harbor/ Ellsworth franchise of Jazzercise. Janice moved to the area 4 years ago from California and missed having Jazzercise classes to attend. Leslie had attended Jazzercise in Michigan and enjoyed it also. Janice convinced Leslie to get trained with her. Together they studied and went to mentoring in Waterville and Boston at Jazzercise classes there, and finally they had a successful audition in Boston, a six-month process. Later Debbie Greene joined them; a professional dancer reentering the world of work after her children had reached school age and Cary McCown another Jazzercise student who missed having Jazzercise in her last port of call (her husband is in the Coast Guard and their last location, in Alaska, was Jazzercise-less). Cary is determined that if she has to relocate she will always be able to attend a class or teach one. All of us are Certified Jazzercise Instructors. All instructors must be current in CPR training and pass a written test in nutrition, physiology, anatomy and other subjects. And we all have to keep up-to-date on new developments in fitness. We’ll provide safety and movement tips during the routine and set a positive class tone of encouragement and motivation. All four of us will be demonstrating the routines at the session. We have different body types but all of us have personally benefited from Jazzercise.

Currently, there are Jazzercise classes in Bar Harbor and Ellsworth. In Bar Harbor classes are held on M, Th and Sat at 8:30 am at St. Saviour's Church, 41 Mt. Desert Street and starting Sept. 26 classes will be held at MDI High School through Adult Education on Tu and Th at 5:30 pm. In Ellsworth classes are held on M, W, F at 8:45 am and on M, W and Th at 5:30pm at the Ellsworth Tennis Center, 34 Eastward Lane. The cost for a walk-in is $10, and 8-week passes for unlimited classes are $96 (any class in any location). Jazzercise also offers Jr. Jazzercise for kids in grades 4-6 in Bar Harbor. For more information call Janice Woychik at 288-2236.
For more information about Jazzercise, call 1800-FIT-IS-IT or log on to www.jazzercise.com.

Over 105 Lose and Win participants got physically active and had a great deal of fun during the Jazzercise Demonstration.

The "Pedominators"  received the Victory Stick when their team lost the most weight for week #2.

The "Slim Downs" came in second and the "Inn-Credible Shrinking Women and Kevin" came in third.

The starting weight for the 45 teams is 74,516 pounds (the weight of a Navy Twin Engine Jet).
The 45 teams have accumulated a loss of 1257 pounds (equivalent weight of a Ford Focus) well on their way to losing a ton during the 10 week program.