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Students are having fun and getting a great workout with Zumba.

Lydia Freeman

February 9, 2012

Every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday night at the Greater Bluefield Community Center, women get their groove on with the exercise sensation, Zumba.

“I’ve been going to Zumba for a semester,” said Caitlin Allen, a sophomore from the Bluefield area. “I love it because you can cut loose and not worry about anything in the world.”

	BC students at a Zumba workout

Beth Jackson, a Bluefield College alumna, leads Zumba in Bluefield. She is certified in many different levels of Zumba, including Zumba toning.

“Zumba toning is an incredibly good workout,” said Julie Austin, a BC senior. “I think we did a thousand crunches the night I was there. It was fun though. I want to go again.”

Jackson is the reason that many Zumba attendees love Zumba so much. Jackson seems to have a charisma that draws people to her class.

“She’s an awesome instructor,” said Talley, “She is able to create a live energy in the room. Plus, she’s hilarious.”

Zumba isn’t a free class; in fact it costs $5 to attend Zumba, but with a college ID, Jackson charges $3.

“Some students say that Zumba costs too much money,” said Talley. “But it doesn’t. Besides, if you really can’t afford it, come anyways. They could probably work out a deal.”

Talley has faithfully been attending Zumba classes this year.

“I attended classes off and on my freshman year, but this year I became really dedicated,” said Talley “It’s so fun and freeing. Shake your butt and no one cares. The music just moves through you.” 

The sentiments expressed by Allen and Talley are felt by many. A typical night of Zumba leads to a packed room at the GBCC. Attendants have to carefully space themselves to make room for other dancers.

“Zumba is always packed,” said Emily Sears, a senior from Hinton, W.Va. “But I don’t care. I love dancing and Zumba isn’t the bad kind of exercise. When I do Zumba, I work out hard and love it.”

For many, Zumba is more than just an exercise class. Zumba class has led to many of the women becoming a close-knit group of friends.

“I’ve made 9 or 10 friends at Zumba,” said Talley. “We hang out outside of Zumba class. They are so much fun.”

The students who attend Zumba regularly are full of praise.

“Try it and you’ll love it,” said Talley.

But not all students feel this way about Zumba. One example is Drew Hinton, a junior at BC.

“I have not and I would not go to Zumba,” said Hinton. “I do not know what Zumba is. I do not want to pop my booty and I don’t want to roll my body, like so many in the Zumba class have done. Unlike the Zumba class I will do my own thing and not dance. Instead I will be old school and go running.”

But even with the negative alternative opinion, most BC students do love Zumba.

“It’s such a fun and exciting way to dance off the stress that college brings to us,” said Amanda Heller, a BC sophomore. “I bought Zumba discs so I can dance my butt off in my room whenever I want.”

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