Founded in 1969 by Judi Sheppard Missett, Jazzercise is “the original dance cardio, muscle toning, full-body workout,” said Linsey Hail, owner of the Middletown franchise. Now one of the world’s leading dance fitness companies, Jazzercise has more than 8,300 franchisees teaching more than 32,000 classes each week around the world.
Hail, a Jazzercise devotee since 2003 and an instructor since 2010, said what makes the workout work so well for her is how enjoyable it is and how different each class is because of changing routines.
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“We don’t always do the same thing, we don’t always work the same muscles,” she said. “The music and the choreography are amazing, so it makes it fun, and it’s not a workout I have to do, it’s a workout I want to do.”
Classes are held at 6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 9:30 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday and 8 a.m. Saturday. Supervised childcare is available a separate childcare room during the 9:30 a.m. class.
Jazzercise students may purchase memberships in increments of six months or 12 months, or in "class-pass" bundles of 10 or 20. A franchise-wide yearlong GirlForce deal offers free classes for girls ages 16 to 21 years old via www.jazzercise.com/girlforce in an effort to help healthy habits start early, Hail said.
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“It’s something else for kids to do other than sit in front of a screen,” she said.
Despite Jazzercise’s use of ever-changing choreographed routines, “you don’t have to know how to dance,” Hail said.
“We teach you the moves and we teach you how to modify the moves,” she said. “You don’t have to skip and hop. You can slow it down when you need to and do a low-impact version. You can make it work for you.”
Gail Corrill, 62, a lifelong Middletown resident, said she started Jazzercise classes in December and “just fell in love with it” for more than just its ability to tone up her body and provide stress relief.
“I feel better. I have more energy,” she said. “It’s motivating and I’ve met so many friends. Everybody is uplifting and there’s no negativity, it’s just all about doing what you can do during the class because everybody’s at different levels.”
Hail is the only instructor for now, but said she plans to add more instructors and additional class times as the business grows.
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She started operating the business in May 2016 out of the gym of the Butler County Early Learning Center because Jazzercise had not had a presence in Middletown for several years. She soon found herself looking for a space of her own that was large enough for a dance and exercise floor, plus a separate room for equipment storage, such as hand weights and exercise mats.
The more than 1,300-square-foot Middletown storefront has “worked out great,” Hail said.
“I feel like downtown’s on the upswing,” she said. “I just like the area.”
For more information, call 513-318-8297 or visit www.facebook.com/MiddletownJazzercise.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Grand opening celebration for new Jazzercise location
WHERE: 1373 Central Ave., Middletown
WHEN: 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. classes Thursday, July 27, and 8 a.m. class on Saturday, July 29
DETAILS: Celebrate the new location and National Dance Day (July 29) with drawings for Jazzercise towels, waters and other merchandises. Special deals available for new members signing up on either day. Childcare available in a separate childcare room during the 9:30 a.m. July 27 class.
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