Jazzercise steps its way into Navarre
Working out doesn’t always have to be running a few miles or bench-pressing hundreds of pounds of steel. How does dancing to upbeat songs with your friends sound?
Jazzercise is the original dance party workout. It is an all-inclusive woman-owned fitness company dedicated to helping people live healthier, happier lives.
The program fuses dance cardio and strength training into one 55-minute sweat session. Each heart-pounding class can burn up to 800 calories.
You’ll leave feeling re-energized and ready to take on the world.
“And your workout is fun because you’re dancing,” said Lisa Buchanan, an instructor at Gulf Breeze Jazzercise. “You’re not doing 20,000 jumping jacks.”
Franchise owner and instructor Jane Smith started doing Jazzercise in 2001 and hasn’t looked back. She loves that the program works every muscle group, and she loves the feeling after completing a class.
“Every class has some kind of strength routine infused with cardio. It’s a full body workout, no matter how you slice it,” Jane said.
Jazzercise has been meeting at the Gulf Breeze Community Center since the building was built and Jane started instructing there in 2004.
Now Jazzercise will expand and hold classes in Navarre three times a week. Those classes will be taught by Katie Mortemore.
The Navarre Jazzercise classes will meet at the Vertical Pole Studio located at 2278 Highway 87 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:30 a.m.
“This is just our beginning in Navarre,” Jane said.
Jazzercise instructors are CPR-certified and go through a three-to-four-month training and audition process, completing a physiology exam at the end to make sure they are qualified to lead members in their high heart-rate workouts.
All the instructors are engaging and uplifting, and they all add something different to each workout. Each of their personalities spice up the hour session in a unique way.
“When we go on vacation one of our favorite things to do is to Google where you’re going and see if there’s a Jazzercise location near there,” Jane said. “And they’re always doing about the same kind of routine.”
Lisa has participated in Jazzercise all over the world from Germany to California and Las Vegas.
“Even if you don’t understand the language, you’ll understand the routines,” Lisa said.
Jazzercise loves to give back to the community it serves. Last year, Gulf Breeze Jazzercise hosted two Jazzercise fundraising events, one for Susan G. Komen’s Breast Cancer Research and one for Gulf Breeze High School Drumline called “JazzerJam – For The Band.”
Jazzercise livestreams their classes online for members unable to meet in person. Jane said they average about 5-8 people watching online every class.
Member Susan Vaughn took advantage of the online services every morning when she was traveling in her RV to south Florida from January to March.
“It’s a big motor home, but still, when you’re jumping around it moves,” Susan said, laughing.
Member Becky Fleming has been doing these upbeat classes for three years and loves them.
“I’ve done other exercise programs the past 35 years, but this one tops them all,” Becky said.
Becky participated in 220 classes last year alone.
“I love it because it makes you feel wonderful after you do it and it’s just a fun exercise program,” she said. “You’re just totally dedicated to it because of that. It’s invigorating.”
Anyone interested in joining Jazzercise in Navarre can sign up online at www.jazzercise.com, call Katie at 407-454-2237 or you can walk-in before a class and sign up.
Get a workout and a dance party in one and join Jazzercise today.