Long-time instructor Mitisha (Tish) Smitjes took on Zumba after her beloved father passed away.
She decided to kick-start her weight loss journey through the aerobic fitness classes. Dancing along to her favourite hits, Smitjes managed to lose 90 pounds.
“There are so many people that want to start a weight-loss journey or want to start exercising, but they do not know where to start. They may be afraid to go to a class or are afraid people might be looking at them,” she said.
Smitjes hosted a Mother’s Day Zumba class at Jobsite Brewing Company that featured a cold beer at the end of the intense workout, which welcomed everyone, including mothers and daughters.
Dancing to upbeat music ranging from salsa to hip-hop, Smitjes said the average one-hour Zumba class can burn anywhere from 600 to 800 calories - almost an equivalent calorie burn to a 5 kilometre run, she said.
Smitjes said that people attending her classes quickly forget about their own worries, as they are too focused on the instructor. There are no wrong moves, just accidental solos, she said.
“I think fitness classes come with that stigma that everybody is going to be really small and they are going to be the biggest person in the room. I overcame this with my weight loss journey. I want to instill this in people, that they don’t need to worry"
Dancing in front of an audience comes with practice, said the instructor. Smitjes began her first Zumba classes in the back of the room before she worked up the courage to get out of her comfort zone. Confidence building and encouraging team members are at the heart of Smitjes classes.
“I had one lady in my class who said it was her first workout after having her baby,” she said.
Smitjes also teaches classes at Inspired by Fitness and at St. Mary’s Pyramid Recreation Centre. She also teaches Zumba at McCarthy Place Retirement Residence.
“The seniors don’t really participate as much as they watch me, laugh and have fun,” she said.
The effective and fun class is an excellent way of boosting ones confidence. With plenty of laughs, Zumba is suitable for all ages.