Zumba may be intimidating to someone who has never taken a salsa or hip hop lesson, but Melanie King says a background in dance is not necessary to reap the full benefits of this high-energy workout.
"You can be completely green to this type of thing," said King, who owns Limitless Dance Studio.
Last Thursday, Limitless hosted its first Zumba class, King hopes to offer more sessions in the future.
Zumba is a dance-based workout that combines cardio, balance, flexibility and muscle conditioning, according to the Zumba website.
Typically, the class is set to Latin and World beats and mixes high- and low-intensity routines.
"It's just another way to get women moving and exercising without it feeling like a chore," King said on June 25.
King has been offered jazzercise classes for nine years. Zumba – a kind of 21st century take on aerobics – fits in well with her studio's repertoire.
None of King's fitness classes require previous dance experience.
King knows working out can be stressful and she endeavours to create a comfortable space where participants can shed their inhibitions.
"I'm hoping that people come out and just realize just how much fun you can have in a group setting and how non-judgmental, how safe, you can feel and just relax and exercise in a fun way," she said.
Every Zumba class is different, said King.
"Zumba originated with the Latin vibe and Latin style of dancing, however, I know current sets have been more modernized," she said, adding that the instructor decides the tone of the class.
"You're going to get confused," warned King.
"Everyone's going to get confused now and then, but the more you attend, the more you do, the easier it just comes to you."
King is hoping to attract between 10 and 15 people to the Zumba classes.
"If there's more, then that's great, if there's less that's OK too, because I know not everyone can't make it Thursday," she said.
If enough people are interested, King added, the evening Zumba classes will become a weekly event.
The next Zumba class will be on Thursday at 7 p.m.
Limitless offers Jazzercise classes on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:45 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m.