Music
Narrator:
What's this? Auditions for the latest dance reality show?
You have to be a professional, right?
Connie Lee:
No, I'm not a professional actually. I started out doing these classes two years ago.
Narrator:
Wow. she must be a natural.
Music
Narrator:
Oooh, look at those moves. Surely she's a trained dancer!
Ashley Baker:
Actually, no. My parents always made me get in front of everybody and dance, but, you know, this is just a really fun class.
Narrator:
Welcome to the Jam Class at Crunch fitness in Atlanta, Georgia. It's a cardio workout led by professional dancer and celebrity fitness trainer Michael Peel.
Michael Peele :
I think I give the opportunity for people to come in here and just feel like, just like a superstar.
If you want to be a Beyonce, if you want to be a Neo or Usher or Chris Brown, you come in here and you do that.
Narrator:
Fueled by the popularity of reality shows like So You Think You Can Dance, hip-hop, jam and jazz classes are springing up in fitness centers around the country.
Michael Peele:
I get everybody. I get young, I get old. I get men and women. I get black, white, Asian, hispanicm whatever, and I tell everybody to come in and have fun.
5, 6, 7, 8
Michael Peele:
Of course I want you to get the moves, but don't concentrate solely on that. I just really want you to come in and have a good cardio workout.
Narrator:
Experts say the variety of movement can help motivate those who may be tired of the hum-drum workout.
It's certainly worked for Ashley Baker. She's lost 30 pounds. Connie Lee lost 25.
Michael Peele:
I want everybody to know that if you have fun while you're working out, it won't be such a chore.
Narrator:
Well, it certainly looks like fun. But what if you just can't dance?
Michael Peele:
Get your butt in my class! No, just keep coming. There are people who come in here with two left feet. I go over it and over it. I'm going to get you til you get it.
Narrator:
I don't know I've tried to take these dance classes and I'm just not coordinated enough.
Yolanda Green:
Everyone says that though when they first come.
Bust it out! You bust it out!
Yolanda Green:
When I came in the class the first time I felt so uncoordinated, but he makes you want to come back and come back and get it right and get it right.
Narrator:
Yolanda Green dances with Mike 3 to 4 times a week, and doesn't miss a session.
Yolanda Green:
Haha, oh yeah for me it's addictive! I'm like I gotta get to my class, I gotta get to my class, cause you feel like you're missing the next great move.
Hit one, hit two, hit three...
Narrator:
For WebMD, I'm Sandee LaMotte.
