Bozeman’s Jazzercise franchise may be the most positive, welcoming and affordable exercise opportunity in town. The studio on West Main Street is simple, stocked with pilates balls, hand weights and yoga mats waiting to be used—all you have to do is show up in tennis shoes and workout clothes. You’ll be greeted at the door and welcomed to the community. You’re guaranteed to smile throughout the class and you’ll still be smiling when you walk out the door.
Jazzercise combines jazz dance, Pilates, yoga and kickboxing moves set to music. There are three types of class to choose from: the regular 60-minute Jazzercise, the less-strenuous 60-minute Jazzercise Lite and the condensed 30-minute Express. The classes may seem fast-paced for beginners, but the moves are repeated and easy to learn by watching others. The instructor stands on a small stage with a headset microphone, demonstrating the moves and keeping morale high.
During owner Andrea Powers’ Jazzercise class, random whoops of joy were common and encouraged. She explained how to improve technique and offered low-impact modifications, while keeping the class informed about the featured music—Rihanna and Cobra Starship were among the spectrum of artists.
Jazzercise routines are reviewed by sports physiologists to ensure that the workout is safe and effective, and it’s certainly a workout. MSU student Britta Jones recently started Jazzercise-ing, and reported having sore calves and quads after her first class. In her words, "It's a fun and hard workout. It was kind of awkward at first trying to do some of the stuff, but I got the hang of it. I was so sore afterwards, it was ridiculous."
Students get a special discount at the Bozeman studio—a one month pass costs only $25. The studio periodically hosts community events for its members, including a book club. The majority of Jazzercise-ists are women of all ages, but men and women are equally welcome. Nobody is judgmental at Jazzercise; everybody has fun and ensures everyone else is having fun as well.
Look up Jazzercise Fitness Center of Bozeman on Facebook for more details and class times.
