Jazzercise offers alternative to regular workout

CONWAY, Ark. (KTHV) -- Jazzercise keeps up with what's going on in the fitness world, providing a refreshing new exercise routine to veteran customers. It's an exciting new venture to those who have never tried it with the main focus of showing you the way to a new you.

Paige Revis owns Jazzercise in Conway and she's been an instructor for 15 years. She says Jazzercise is just as rigorous as any work out.

"It might be appear to be less intense but it's very, very powerful. And you use all of your muscles. And the cardio is super intense. You can burn up to 600 or more calories in one hour of a Jazzercise class," says Revis.

Revis says a typical class encompasses cardio, strength training, and flexibility -- something for everyone.

"We capture from high school girls up to 77 and older. Typically men like to do basketball or jogging but this really gets his heart rate up in the cardio part," Revis adds.

Tamma Wilkerson's been jazzercising for 3 years.

"I always thought it was kind of a cheesy, dancy thing. Just a bunch of women in leotards. And it's so not that. [It's] so much more than that. It's different music no matter what background you come from. Whether you're hip hop, you're country. It just has everything. And it's different routines. You do kickboxing. You do strength training," says Wilkerson.

Wilkerson says it helps her with dependability.

"I've exercised my whole life and I love to eat. So this kind of keeps me on track," Wilkerson adds.

As an instructor, Revis says touching lives through exercise is a blessing.

"We see positive changes in people's in just their physical self but in their emotional self because exercise really makes great changes in those areas. You sleep better. You feel better. You look better. Then you start making better choices and life just gets better with Jazzercise," says Revis.

Revis says if you're new to exercising, try attending two to three classes a week. In order to increase your fitness level, gradually increase your workouts to four to five times a week.

There are Jazzercise classes around the state, including Conway and Little Rock.