The songs of Ricky Martin and various Latin musicians now fill downtown Phoenix with the recent addition of free Thursday Zumba classes.
Gold’s Gym in CityScape will offer outdoor Zumba classes starting at 5:30 p.m. through April 5. Classes are open to anyone willing to give the Latin workout a try as well as Zumba regulars.
“The main idea is to introduce fitness to everyone in Arizona,” said Bernita McClinton, group exercise director. “Zumba is one of those workouts where you don’t feel like you are working out.”
Gold’s Gym began offering the classes March 1. On Thursday, people of all shapes, sizes and ages participated in the free class.
Lisa Lopez, an early childhood specialist, was at the class and has done Zumba at different gyms.
“Zumba is the cultural background I associate with and I feel comfortable burning calories in an hour,” Lopez said.
The class is held outside at CityScape near the Charles Korrick Fountain between Stand Up Live and Urban Outfitters.
McClinton said holding the class outside was a promotional push to get people walking around CityScape and downtown Phoenix.
“It lets people know Gold’s Gym is here and (gets) more people involved into fitness workouts,” she said.
Zumba was a family event for a mother-daughter duo Thursday night. Sena Maytubby and her daughter Cathy Duwyenie were enjoying the workout. Duwyenie is an instructor at the downtown Gold’s Gym and also instructs at other gyms around the Valley.
“I love to dance, it’s therapeutic, it makes me feel good,” Duwyenie said.
She grew up dancing and her interest in Zumba started seven years ago. She became a licensed Zumba fitness instructor in 2007.
Duwyenie also puts on Zumba parties where people can pay to attend a two-hour Zumba class, which also gives other instructors a chance to show what they are teaching.
“It’s a great community created by Zumba,” Duwyenie said.
Duwyenie helped instruct the class, along with Tomasa Semaan and another instructor. The three of them stood at the front of the group, showing moves to the attendees.
Semaan is a local artist and has been instructing Zumba classes around the Valley for two years.
“I think it’s a great way to connect with people because there is fitness and this is an easy and different was to get exercise,” Semaan said.
One participant was from Oregon, in town for the NASPA — Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education conference. Margaret Trout is a long-time participant in Zumba and came out to the event because she wanted something to do.
“I really enjoy Zumba, and I think it’s a really fun way to exercise,” Trout said. “I think it’s a great idea to take advantage of this beautiful weather.”
The workout was not just for women. About 10 men also took the opportunity to show off some Latin flare while working out.
Pharmaceutical quality assurance manager Alfonso Munguia got his groove on and burned calories. He lives in Surprise, works in downtown Phoenix and is a member of Gold’s Gym.
“I love to dance, and this is a good way to do my cardio,” Munguia said. “I love the class’ outside aspect. This is the best time of the year, I try to take advantage of the great weather.”
Contact the reporter at aldugan@asu.edu
