The fitness craze that came to Auburn last year is growing faster than ever among students.
"Ditch the workout, join the party," said Katie Newton, instructor for the Zumba class and senior in nutrition dietetics.
Created in Colombia by a fitness trainer named Beto Perez, Zumba has quickly become one of the most demanded fitness classes available.
Last August only about 50 students attended the Zumba classes, but Newton said this semester those numbers have drastically grown.
"I've seen more than 150 girls at some of the classes at the Student Act," Newton said. "It's incredible how many girls love the class."
Newton took classes this past summer and fell in love with the dance workout.
"I started doing it about four nights a week and when I came back to Auburn I started participating in the class at the Student Act," Newton said.
Newton described the class as a total body workout because every part of your body is constantly in motion.
"It works everything," Newton said. "It is a lot of cardio because you feet are constantly leaving the ground, unlike an elliptical where your feet are stationary. Zumba is equivalent to jogging where you have impact the whole time."
Ashley Wilson, senior in history, has been participating in the Zumba class for about a month and a half and she says the dances are the fun part about getting your body in shape.
"I can tell a difference in the tone of my body," Wilson said. "I love the Cholo and Beyonce songs, they really work my stomach. I have even learned to salsa now."
Newton said since she has been doing the Zumba fitness program she can tell her abs and thighs have gotten stronger, but Sadie McElwee, senior in hotel and restaurant management, thinks there is more to the class than muscle tone.
"I have better endurance from Zumba," McElwee said. "It keeps you active and they are fun, so if you do both at the same time you are more likely to work out and exercise."
Newton's favorite thing about Zumba is people's reaction and gratification toward the class and the improvements it has made on their body.
"People at the end of class tell me that they loved it and they have found a way that they can work out and be happy," Newton said. "People tell me they have lost weight and they feel better, that is the best part for me."
Zumba is taught at the Student Activity Center on Monday's at 4 p.m., Tuesday's at 6 p.m., Thursday's at 5 p.m. and Friday's at 2 p.m.
"I also offer a class at the Pike Fraternity house on Sunday and Wednesday nights at 7:15," Newton said. "This way everyone has a time they can fit Zumba into their schedule."
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