© 2014 sarahfortune.

HELLO
Mom to Iris. Wife to Todd. Our little family lives at the foothills of the Ozark Mountains in Fayetteville, Arkansas. We love it here and I love sharing little bits of our life.

© 2014 sarahfortune.
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Category : Jazzercise

Health & Beauty, Jazzercise

A Beginner’s Guide to Jazzercise

Some of my most popular blog posts have been the ones about my journey with Jazzercise, and some of my most commonly asked questions from friends and folks online is about Jazzercise. Since I was a beginner myself not that long ago, I thought I would answer some of the questions I’ve gotten, as well as some that I had when I first began:

What do I wear?
Sorry to disappoint, but the neon leotards and spandex left with the 1980s. For your first Jazzerise class wear whatever you are comfortable in, but remember you’ll be jumping and moving around, so you’ll want something that gives you flexibility and support. Personally, I wear cropped leggings (even in the winter because you truly work up a sweat), sports bra, tank top, and sneakers. You’ll see a wide-range of outfits though. Some people are head-to-toe is cute workout gear, while others keep it ultra-cas in a t-shirt and shorts.

What do I bring?
Just water and yourself! Some people bring their own mats and weights, or even a towel or extra cushion to put down on the mats that are provided. At my center, there are almost always enough mats and a range of weights to choose from. While you use weights in every class, mats aren’t always needed. You’ll occasionally use exercise balls and resistance bands, but those are provided as well (and no prior experience is needed).

Okay, so there are weights. What do I start with?
If you are already familiar exercising with weights, then you probably know what’s best. But if you are a newbie like I was, I started with 3-pound weights and then after about a week went up to 5-pounders. Currently I go between 5 and 6-pound weights depending on the class.

So there are different types of classes?
Yes! That’s what helps keeps it fun and what helps keep it a well-rounded workout. Each class format is a different mix of songs/workouts, with some being more focused on cardio (Dance Mixx) while others are more focused on strength (Strength 60). You can read more about the different class types here. And you can always find out what classes are happening and when via the Jazzercise app or by searching for your center on their website. For example, here’s my center’s schedule!

Is it really a good workout?
As with any exercise, you’ll only get out as much as you put in. Overall though, people (like myself) are surprised to find out how much of a challenge each class can be. The classes are typically an hour long and are a good “one-stop-shop” for your daily exercise.

I can’t dance. Does that matter?
Anyone can Jazzercise. I don’t consider myself a dancer in the least, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have fun trying. Plus, one of the many things I love about Jazzercise is that it’s helped with my coordination overall. You’ll learn that each routine is choreographed to work specifically with each song, so you can feel (and hear) when you’re about to change movements. And if you count in eights, it will be easier to stay on track. None of that truly matters though – The environment is made to make you feel comfortable so that you can just do your thing and make it your own workout. It’s a no-judgement zone.

Do they still dance to 80s music?
While I think a throw-back class would be awesome, Jazzercise definitely keeps it fresh with what’s popular on the radio (my fave routines are the ones to Bruno Mars). That means we get to learn new routines pretty often, so even if you are brand new to Jazzercise, it’s likely that the veteran next to you is learning something for the first time too.

I have an old injury. Can I still try it?
Absolutely! While there is a lot of hopping and lunging that can be tough on the knees, instructors give low-impact options for each workout.

How many calories do you burn?
I wear an Apple Watch and I find that I burn approximately 450 – 550 calories per class. I discovered this blog, which has some good insight into the amount of calories burned for each class format.

How do I get started and how does it all work?
Once you sign-up (you can pay per class or join for 3, 6, or 12 months), they print you out a little card with your name on it. Before each class, you pull your card so that they can scan it. This helps keep track of how many classes you attend in a year. They usually announce during class when you hit a milestone, such as 25, 50, 75 or 100 classes. And with the new app, I think we’re going to see a transition to scanning your phone instead of the card, so that’s exciting! Jazzercise also announces great deals a few times throughout the year, so be on the lookout for a joining special – that’s how I got hooked.

Any questions I missed? Feel free to ask or share your insight below! The Jazzercise community is a warm and welcoming one, so if you are curious the best thing to do is just give it a shot and keep in mind it usually takes at least a few classes for it to “click.” You can read my previous posts here and here.

PS – This is not a sponsored post. I’ve just enjoyed sharing my Jazzer-journey!

Health & Beauty, Jazzercise

I Jazzercised for a Year and Here’s What I Learned

Well, I did it. Today I met my goal of 150 Jazzercise classes in 2016! That’s a total of 150 hours of exercise – the equivalent of almost four full work weeks (yes, I’ve done the math). And as a mom that works full-time, runs a blog on the side, and travels whenever and wherever I can, I feel very proud to meet my goal.

So how did I get here? Looking back to my first Jazzercise post where I made my confession, it all started when I noticed that a Jazzercise location had opened near my office. Before I knew it, I posted an update at my six-month mark. And now here I am, dancing my way to the end of my first full year. So in honor of hitting this milestone, I wanted to share some of the things I’ve learned in my first 12 months of Jazzercise.

– A Jazzercise class is as much mental as it is physical. This was one of the first things I realized in class and one that has stayed true even a year later. While I find myself feeling more confident to let my mind wander mid-routine, I’m usually jolted right back to the present moment when I’m not sure what is coming next. I never knew how much I needed a mental break from my day until I began taking these classes.
– It gets easier, but never easy. When I first started, I was told to give it a month and then you’ll have the basics down. From there on out, learning a new routine isn’t as difficult and you can really concentrate on the workout, rather than just trying to keep up. If you give it your all, every class is a tough, yet rewarding workout.
– It’s addictive. With the combo of music, dancing, and endorphins, it’s pretty easy to get hooked.
– You’ll have ‘off’ days. And that’s okay. For example, I had four great classes in a row this week and then for no good reason this morning (my 150th class, actually), I felt like I was off a few more steps than normal. Just like anything else, you have good days and bad days, but with Jazzercise it doesn’t matter. Just by showing up, you’ve completed the hardest part.
– It’s not stuck in the 1980s. Expecting bodysuits and leg warmers? Sorry to disappoint, but Jazzercise has evolved with the rest of us. Combining modern dance choreography, kickboxing, and Pilates to the tune of top 40 hits, I’ve noticed that many of my fellow Jazzercisers are way younger than I am. In fact, they are offering free classes to girls 16-21 years old in 2017 as a part of their GirlForce program.
– I’m still a terrible dancer. But I sure have fun pretending otherwise!
– Just when you think you have it, they throw in new routines. New routines mean new moves to learn and new songs to dance to, so the workouts are never boring. Jazzercise likes to keep you on your toes. Literally.
– It’s never too late to start. As I’ve mentioned many times before, I’ve never been a regular exerciser. So when I decided to finally devote some time to my health in my mid-thirties, I felt a little intimidated. Jazzercise has perfected the recipe to make a newbie feel comfortable, yet still challenge a veteran. I’m sure that’s part of what keeps such a diverse crowd in the audience. A crowd where no one ever feels out of place.
– I’m still learning. After a year, I still feel like I’m pretty new at this and have a lot more to learn, which keeps it fun and exciting. The average Jazzerciser sticks with it for seven years, which gives me hope that even years later – I’ll still feel the same way.

PS – This is not a sponsored post. I just wanted to share my honest journey.

Health & Beauty, Jazzercise

I tried Jazzercise for 6 months and Here are the Results

Six months ago I did something I never thought I’d do – I joined Jazzercise. As mentioned back in March (just one month in), I was curious to see how I would feel about it at the six-month mark. Well, here I am and here’s how it went.

In order to really get a full understanding of how Jazzercise works and how it works for my body, I decided to set a personal goal to attend 100 classes before my 6-month contract was up. Despite several weeks of travel, being out for two weeks because of a pulled neck muscle (not Jazz-related), and being slowed down due to multiple colds, I’m proud to say – I met my goal! My 100th class was just this week and now the verdict is in:
I’m just as in love with Jazzercise as I was when I first started.


Taken on a celebratory (wine) walk after I completed my 100th class.

The Basics:
+ In a perfect world I go to about 5-6 classes a week. However, with a busy work schedule, lots of travel, and a kid who likes to bring me illnesses home from daycare, that certainly doesn’t always happen.

+ The sessions last for a full hour and include a warm-up and a cool-down. When I started I was surprised to discover that there are several different formats, which took me a while to fully understand. Now I know that Fusion incorporates more strength, while Dance Mixx features more cardio. All I bring to class each day is a huge bottle of water, as they have plenty of mats and weights to use.

+ Unless you pay for each class individually, you have to sign a contract and pay a sign-up fee. However, occasionally there are specials where they waive that fee or a have free, no-strings-attached month. The longer your contract is, the cheaper your plan is. More info can be found on my first post or directly from the source at Jazzercise.com.

Why I still love it:
+ It’s a one-stop-shop. I do Jazzercise for the same reason I subscribe to Blue Apron. I want to work out for the same reasons I want to eat well, but in the past all of the preparation and planning got in the way. Due to my crazy busy schedule, I don’t have time to master the week of perfect recipes the same way I don’t have time to seek out the perfect fitness routine on my own. With Jazzercise, I know I have a place that I can go every day and get handed a full, well-rounded workout. With cardio, strength, and stretching – it’s everything packaged up nice and neat in every class.

+ I admit I had preconceived ideas about what Jazzercise was before I tried it and it wasn’t necessarily favorable. Of course I assumed it was stuck in the 80s, but the soundtrack proved instantly that it’s not. Also, I immediately realized how much people really loved Jazzercise, so I wondered if there was some sort of incentive to share the excitement and get your friends to join. I was actually happy to learn that the fanfare is genuine. So if a girlfriend tries to get you to go, it’s most likely because she really thinks you’ll love it too. One exception to this is that I did once win a sweet Jazzercise water bottle during a special sign-up promotion, but I think you still get my point.

+ That brings me to one other thing I’ve earned – my very own Jazzercise beach towel. And yes, I mean earned and not won. Jazzercise holds periodic challenges throughout the year, where if you attend a certain number of classes during a set amount of time, you earn some special Jazz-merch. This was the first challenge I’ve accepted and, while the towel is great and all, it’s more about having a goal to work towards.

+ The workout creates such a positive feeling. As cheesy as it is, there’s something about the combination of music, pushing your body has hard as you can, and the encouragement of the instructors that leaves you feeling incredibly happy to be giving it your all. While some days I might think about going to the happy hour next door instead, I still look forward to it instead of the normal dread I have about other exercise. And by the way, according to their website, the average person sticks with Jazzercise for seven years. That’s a long time for a workout regimen.

+ Even after six months, it’s still just as much a mental work out as it is a physical one. Jazzercise does a good job shaking things up with new songs and routines just as soon as you think you know what you’re doing. This is still the only hour of my day where I’m totally focused on one thing and one thing only.

+ After my very first class, the instructor told me that it takes about a month to fully get it. She was right. I still have my off days and I still mess up during every song, but I don’t care and neither does anyone else. You’re made to feel comfortable and are reminded that this is your work out, so you can make it your own. And believe me, we all do.

What I’ve gotten out of it:
+ I went from not exercising at all to exercising 4 – 6 days a week. So, did I lose a bunch of weight? Not really, but that wasn’t my goal. I’ve always had a smaller frame and I tend to eat semi-well, so I started this journey to tone-up and to feel better overall. While I’m not perfect (who is?), I am more confident and I’m finally wearing clothes again that I hid in the back of my closet long ago. Shockingly, I even fit into my wedding dress recently, which took place nearly a decade ago.

+ I also gained the confidence to wear a bikini in public for the first time since before Iris was born. While I still often choose my one-piece, it’s amazing to have options you feel good about.

+ Beyond the outer benefits, I definitely feel better inside too. I fall asleep easier, I haven’t had a serious migraine since I started Jazzercise, and I have more energy. I also like knowing that Iris sees me taking time to care for my health and I hope it instills something in her too.

Will I continue?
+ My answer at this point? DUH! Right now Jazzercise just works for me. It works for my schedule, it works for my body, and it works for my mind. So right now my answer is a resounding YES! Will I be writing a year update? Two year update? Seven years? Only time will tell. Till then, see ya there?

PS – This is not at all a sponsored post. I just wanted to share my honest journey.

Health & Beauty, Jazzercise, Life

CONFESSION: I’m a Jazzerciser

I have a serious confession to make.
I’ve been Jazzercising… and I LOVE IT.

It all started back in October when I was planning Iris’ birthday party. I stopped by the party supply store on my lunch hour and noticed that a Jazzercise location had opened up right next door. Intrigued, I grabbed a pamphlet from their front door. I took it back to my office, which happens to be right around the corner, and half-jokingly showed it to my co-workers. But that’s when I noticed their hours… They have a class that starts ten minutes after our office closes and ends early enough for me to pick up Iris before her school closes – pretty perfect timing. Not only that, but October was totally FREE Jazzercise month for anyone who wanted to try it, no strings attached. Office challenge, anyone?!

One afternoon before the freebie month was over, a few of us got up the nerve to try it. No, we didn’t wear cheesy headbands and matching leotards (although we threatened to), but we did jump straight in, not knowing what to expect. My first class was… a mess. I was all over the place and all out of breath after just the first ten minutes. However, I left feeling like I had actually done something good, even though I may not have done it correctly. My co-workers and I laughed about it afterwards, but we all were in agreement – we wanted to do it again.

After getting through the craziness of the holiday season, I officially joined Jazzercise two months ago and haven’t looked back. I pay $50 per month and that gets me unlimited classes. My location offers 27 classes per week and they even offer child-care at several of their classes. I’m lucky to have a Jazzcercising buddy too, as my good coworker friend also took the plunge. You see, I’m not an exceriser at heart. In fact, I usually freaking hate it. My schedule is jam-packed during the week with home-life and work-life. Making time for me is usually pretty difficult, but now thanks to Jazzercise, I finally have an hour a day that I devote strictly to taking care of myself. I will admit that even with over 30 hours of Jazzercise under my belt, I still very much feel like a newbie and probably will for a while. I’m not naturally coordinated or athletic, but the best part is that it doesn’t matter. I may jump in the wrong director or squat on the wrong beat, but the point is – I’m moving, working up a sweat, getting my heart-rate up, and actually having fun doing it.

Why I love it:
+ It kicks my butt. There are several different style classes, but overall it’s a mix of (often intense) cardio, strength, stretching, and Justin Bieber. Okay, maybe just a little Bieber, but tons of other current hits (for once I actually knew every song that was featured at the Grammy’s).
+ It’s a mental workout as much as a physical one. You have to pay close attention for a full hour, otherwise you’ll quickly get off track. It’s rare that I go five minutes in my day without getting side-tracked, so to have a full hour where I am just concentrating on one thing is life-changing.
+ The environment is welcoming and positive without being overwhelming. The instructors are always upbeat and encouraging, which makes for a comfortable space for us girls to give it our all.
+ Because of that moment when a routine clicks and it makes me feel like Beyonce. I mean, I know I look more like a stumbling drunk person, but I feel like Beyonce!
+ For the first time in my life, I want to exercise every day. I’m actually bummed if I miss a day, not because I feel guilty, but because it really is something I look forward to. On days where I can’t make it to a class, I try to walk, jog, or do a bit of the routines I can remember at home – but it’s just not the same!
+ As with any exercise, it’s pushed me to be more conscious of what I eat. I’ve pretty much eliminated fast-food from my diet and since Whole Foods just opened near my house, I’ve been eating lots of leafy greens and tofu for my weekday lunches, while sticking to fruit and proteins for healthy snacks.

What I’ve been surprised with:
+ I am not the youngest person at Jazzercise. On some days I’m actually closer to being the oldest. While people, including myself, have a preconceived idea of what Jazzercise is (hello, 1980’s moms in neon spandex), the brand has totally revamped itself to stay relevant.
+ Turns out, Jazzercise might be the secret weapon no one is talking about. I’ve run into several friends and acquaintances there that I had no idea Jazzercised!

I signed a six-month contract, so I’ll be curious to where I am a few months from now when my beach vacations are over and the idea of wearing a swimsuit isn’t dangling in front of me for motivation. I really hope that I’ll be right here though, with my weights, mat, and dancing (I mean Jazzing) shoes on. Just kidding, they are just regular sneakers. And Jazzercise is, surprisingly, a regular work out – just a much more fun one.