Introduction to Jazzercise
Jazzercise: It is your mother’s workout. At least that was the case for Madison Farfan, 25. Growing up in the San Diego area, where Jazzercise is headquartered, Farfan’s mom occasionally Jazzercised while Farfan pursued competitive dance. To Farfan’s mind, the two were out of sync. So when a coworker — who happened to be a Jazzercise instructor — pushed Farfan to join a class, she scoffed. “I had that preconceived notion: Jazzercise is not for people my age,” she told The Post. Rather, the stereotype goes, it’s for grannies with unitards and leg warmers, hip replacements and Motown records.
If you haven’t thought about Jazzercise since the ’80s or ’90s, it might look quite a bit different than you’d expect. Jazzercise, Inc.
The dancing workout tends to bring to mind leotards, leg warmers and big hair — but things have changed. master1305 – stock.adobe.com
The Modern Jazzercise Experience
But after enduring a few months of the colleagues’ insistence, Farfan, an HR professional for a construction company in San Marcos, caved. Her first class was led by Skyla Nelson — the impossibly shredded, infectiously peppy, Gen-Z granddaughter of Jazzercise founder Judi Sheppard Missett. Wearing a monochrome set and slick bun, Nelson, 22, blasted the likes of Charli XCX and Sabrina Carpenter, leading the mixed-gen class through Jazzercise’s proprietary heart-pumping choreography. “Double lunge, right left! Right leg, ball change! Double jump, left side!” Nelson hollered between “woos!” and swigs from her Jazzercise-branded Stanley.
Farfan was “blown away,” she said. “Everything that I had in my mind about what type of workout it was, who takes the workout, who teaches the workout, the music that’s used — totally out the window.” Now, about a year and a half later, she said, “I’m addicted. That’s just the simplest way to put it.” Women of all ages join workouts, like this one in Astoria — and there are plenty of millennials and Gen Z. Kim Max
Aging Gracefully
Sheppard Missett, now 81 and a dancing advertisement for Jazzercise doing the body good, launched the company in 1969 after discovering why her adult dance students weren’t coming back: The women — mostly moms in their 20s like her — weren’t aspiring to be professional dancers like Sheppard Missett; they just wanted to look like one. “That was kind of my aha moment,” Sheppard Missett said. She turned the ladies away from the mirror and exacting technique — and towards the good music and fun. “And boy, it just went crazy.”
Since then, Jazzercise has grown into a global phenomenon with 8,500 franchises across 25 countries that tap out fresh routines five times a year. There are classes that aim to build strength, and others that punch back at perimenopause. There’s an on-demand platform for streaming at-home workouts, and new sleep programming and nutrition support add-ons. The company frequently revamps its line of apparel and posts its playlists to Spotify. Jazzercise has 8,500 franchises across 25 countries. There are classes that aim to build strength, and others that punch back at perimenopause. They’re even on TikTok. Jazzercise, Inc.
Madison Farfan, 25, (left) didn’t think Jazzercise was for people her age — after all, her mom did it. Then she got hooked. Courtesy of Madison Farfan
No Judgment, Just Fitness
Michael Stack, an exercise physiologist in Michigan and president of the Physical Activity Alliance, has a few theories as to why Jazzercise’s appeal is age-blind: It’s social in a time when IRL connections — and especially intergenerational ones — are scarce. It’s judgment-free in an era where even a side part can earn you a side eye. And it’s noncompetitive in a fitness culture where gym rats battle over the number of REM cycles in their sleep and supplements in their smoothies. “Gen Z in particular may be less about those highly competitive metrics, and more about that sense of belonging and enjoyment and joy,” Stack said. “Your metric of success at Jazzercise is: Did you breathe heavy? Did you sweat? And did you dance with your friends?”
The women who join love the noncompetitive nature in today’s intense fitness culture. Kim Max
Many also get a sense of community and are friends with their classmates. Kim Max
For Farfan, the answer is yes, yes and yes. It’s a welcome change, she’s found, from the high-pressure pipeline she pursued growing up. Maybe her mom was onto something after all. “In the competitive dance world, you show up at a dance competition, you’ve got the dance instructors looking at you funky and it’s … not very nurturing,” said Farfan, who attends live classes almost every day after work. “Jazzercise is the complete opposite, so it’s very refreshing.”
Conclusion
Jazzercise is making a comeback with Gen Z and Millennials, and it’s not just for older generations. The workout has evolved to include modern music, trendy attire, and a judgment-free atmosphere. With its global reach, various class options, and online platform, Jazzercise is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a fun and social way to stay active. Whether you’re a young adult or an older adult, Jazzercise has something to offer, and its appeal is age-blind.
FAQs
Q: What is Jazzercise?
A: Jazzercise is a dance-based fitness program that combines elements of jazz dance, aerobics, and strength training.
Q: Is Jazzercise only for older adults?
A: No, Jazzercise is for all ages, and its appeal is age-blind. It’s a great option for anyone looking for a fun and social way to stay active.
Q: What kind of music is used in Jazzercise classes?
A: Jazzercise classes feature modern music, including pop, rock, and hip-hop.
Q: Are Jazzercise classes competitive?
A: No, Jazzercise classes are noncompetitive, and the focus is on having fun and getting a great workout.
Q: Can I do Jazzercise at home?
A: Yes, Jazzercise offers an on-demand platform for streaming at-home workouts.
