Instructional &
Informational Posts
rut. noun /ret/: a habit or pattern of behaviour that has become dull and unproductive but is hard to change.
In our column, Rut Buster, we challenge writer Valerie McTavish to climb out of the all-too-common health ruts we find ourselves in from time to time. From the running rut to the gym rut, and even the couch potato rut, join us as Valerie tosses aside the usual and takes on a variety of get-your-sweat-on activities.
Aerobics: 80’s group fitness craze packed with sweats, spandex and leg warmers.
Memories from my last trip south of the border: tequila-filled nights on a dusty dance floor.
Mix the two together and we’ve got my latest rut buster experience: Zumba - minus the margaritas and neon dental-floss bodysuits.
I’d heard that this fitness craze is so exciting that people call it workout party. It delivered.
I hit up a Thursday night class put on by Designer Fitness in Kelowna and was greeted by a group of friendly women just frothing to get their booties shaking. The first beat blast out and within seconds hips were swivelling, arms flying and legs kicking. The Zumba program creates dance routines that the instructor leads you through. You don’t need to know the steps to follow along and if you mess up, as I did several times, you’ll be too busy laughing to worry about it.
That may be my favourite part of Zumba – the crowd. The room was full of women who just want to move to the music. There was nary a smirk or scowl when I spun left instead of right or when my shoulder shimmy wasn’t exactly up to salsa-kitten status. Everyone in the room was there to have fun. The time flew by and when the last song was over I found myself begging along with the others for one more tune.
It felt like a salsa-hop-afro-samba dance fiesta and it left me feeling elated and sweaty. The bonus? No headbands and butt-splitting Spandex, no locals trying to grind-up on the Gringa and no tequila hangover!
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Check www.zumba.com to find a class close to you.
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Valerie needs your help. Email your stories about how you busted out of a rut (fitness or otherwise). Share your successes or suggest an activity for her to try. Stay motivated together.
