“Am I really going to do this,” Blunt thought to herself. “And can I do it?”
The 48-year-old Kettering mother of two not only survived her first Hip-hop Dance Energy Class at MVP Dance Fit, she also enjoyed it.
“It was a lot of fun,” Blunt said, smiling. “I was a little sore, but I will definitely be back.”
For those like Blunt who are looking to mix up their fitness routine, dance-based classes like hip-hop might be just the answer and the new MVP Dance Fit in Kettering is a good place to start as they offer both Hip-hop Dance Energy classes as well as an adult hip-hop class where students learn choreography and perform their routine at a recital.
While performance-based dance classes are nothing new for children and teens, fewer adult classes have a performance component.
“It does scare some people away, but others get really excited,” said Rachel Vickhouse, owner of MVP Dance Fit.
Whether you enjoy the spotlight or just want to shed a few pounds, hip-hop might be a fun alternative to more traditional fitness classes.
Get moving
With the upbeat music pulsing through the studio, you’d be hard-pressed not to get up an dance.
Hip-hop incorporates full-body movements that can help improve overall muscle strength, stamina and endurance. It can also burn some serious calories — about eight calories a minute for a 150-pound person, which amounts to 480 calories an hour.
“It was definitely a workout,” Blunt said. “There were some times that I said to myself ‘this old woman can’t jump that high,’ but, for the most part, I could do it all.”
The music and dance can be a welcome distraction for those who are sick of counting crunches.
“They really have a good time, which makes the class go by quickly,” Vickhouse said.
Putting yourself first
Blunt, like many moms, has spent much of the past two decades putting her kids first – their activities, their practices.
“They are older now and I wanted to do something for me,” she said.
A dancer since she was a child, getting back on the dance floor has been fun and rewarding for Blunt.
But while many adult women spent their childhoods dancing, life events like child bearing and just plain aging can take its toll on once-fit dancer bodies. Vickhouse, a mother of two children under the age of 2 herself, understands it all too well.
“Everyone is accepted here and no one is judged,” she said. “Ladies know that they actually matter. They are encouraged and they learn about fitness, wellness and friendship.”
Give it a try
MVP Dance Fit is not the only place to put your hip-hop moves to the test. Funk Lab Dance Center, also in Kettering, offers a variety of classes for children, teens and adults. Local dance studios or fitness centers might also be a good starting point.
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