Why Jazzercise Still Works: Benefits of Jazzercise Through the Years

Discover why after 55 years, Jazzercise remains the ultimate dance fitness program that never goes out of style. 

Jazzercise’s unique blend of dance, aerobics, and strength training has been a game-changer in the fitness world for over 55 years. Countless exercise trends have come and gone, while Jazzercise has remained a steady, effective fitness lifeline with hundreds of thousands of loyal fans around the world. What is it about Jazzercise that makes it so timeless? Let’s dive into the elements that cement Jazzercise as one of the greatest fitness programs in history!

What Is Jazzercise and Why It’s Popular

Jazzercise was invented by our founder, Judi Sheppard Missett, in 1969. As a professional dancer, Judi wanted to create a fitness program that would incorporate the energy and fun of dance routines into the studio. Jazzercise took the fitness world by storm in the 1970s and 80s and emerged as the first dance fitness boutique program focused on women. 

Today, thousands of Jazzercise classes are taught weekly in studios around the world. Women are still drawn to the fun, feel-good nature of classes choreographed to music, and continue to come back year after year from the full-body results they achieve. Jazzercise is a workout that doesn’t phase out—it adapts with you during every stage of life!

The Benefits of a Jazzercise Workout

Sure, Jazzercise classes unleash the fun, but they are seriously effective. The physical benefits of Jazzercise workouts include improved strength, healthier body composition, better balance, flexibility, endurance, and coordination. We asked our resident kinesiologist, Gwenda Sharp, to explain why exactly Jazzercise workouts support women’s health so effectively. Here’s how Jazzercise workouts benefit your body: 

Cardiovascular health – Dance moves get the heart rate up and improve cardiovascular function, activity tolerance, and stamina. The choreographed movement patterns improve dexterity and control. 

Strength and toning – Jazzercise choreography strengthens muscles with resistive work, body position, and posture. Incorporating apparatus such as weights, bands, and balls provides resistance for muscle strengthening. Good positioning and form protect the joints while strengthening the muscles. 

Flexibility and coordination – Attention to posture promotes core muscle strengthening. Holding positions against gravity promotes isometric muscle strengthening and improves balance. Static and dynamic stretches increase the flexibility of joints and lengthening of muscles. 

Cognitive benefits – Cognitive benefits include sharpening of thought processes, including visual-special skills, memory, and attention span while learning movement patterns of the Jazzercise choreography in the stimulating Jazzercise environment.

Emotional and social benefits – Emotional benefits include stress reduction and all the positive feelings that movement and music create. The body produces feel-good endorphins through exercise, deep breathing, and increased heart rate, while music evokes excitement with new songs and happy memories with familiar songs. Social benefits include being part of a community that is supportive, positive, and uplifting.

Plus, Jazzercise instructors are trained to present choreography with options to modify or adapt to meet the needs of all ages and fitness levels so that everyone can experience success and improvement, whether they are beginners or seasoned athletes.

Jazzercise Through the Years: How It Has Evolved

One of the main reasons that Jazzercise has stood the test of time is evolution. The program quickly adapts to changing trends, technology, and scientific studies. From continuously adding new routines with hit music to incorporating the latest in-trend workouts, Jazzercise has always balanced its unwavering core mission with fresh and exciting updates. 

Dance Fitness and Why It’s Effective for Mental Health

The mind-body connection is profoundly strong and movement plays a major role in your total-body wellbeing. Studies have proven that exercise decreases the negative impacts of depression, anxiety, and stress while boosting mental resiliency. Here are a few reasons why Jazzercise strengthens your mind and body:

Endorphins – The feel-good hormone! Endorphins reduce pain and stress while improving your mood.

Social connection – After your first class, you quickly feel the power of moving in step with others. That synergy translates to new friends and support both on and off the dance floor. 

Confidence – Jazzercise is a judgment-free place to let it all loose. That’s because it’s not about perfection, it’s about consistency. With that consistency, you’ll achieve hard things you never thought possible! Ta-da, a whole new YOU is born with every milestone.

Jazzercise is a Full-Body Workout

“Jazzercise workouts are carefully designed to address the whole body in a balanced manner. The Jazzercise formats are organized to create a full-body workout even when placing different emphases on cardio, strength, stretch, and interval training. No matter the format, the body gets a head-to-toe workout!” Gwenda continues, sharing why she believes Jazzercise is one of the best choices you can make for your body.

“Dance fitness experts choreograph the routines and each routine is carefully reviewed to ensure proper biomechanics, safety, and effectiveness. Instructors teach each Jazzercise exercise with safety cues and technique tips, explaining the muscles behind the moves and ways to modify and adapt as needed. 

Jazzercise is certainly the fitness leader in providing holistic workouts that address the heart, mind, and body. People are motivated to participate in exercise classes that improve their physical health safely and effectively within a supportive community atmosphere filled with positivity, music, and joy.”

Combining Fun and Fitness: Why People Love Jazzercise

A major factor in the longevity and popularity of Jazzercise over the last 55 years is simply this: it’s really, really fun! A fitness class that feels like a brand-new dance party each time? What’s not to love?

For many, Jazzercise becomes more than a workout; it’s a lifestyle. The supportive community, lively atmosphere, and opportunity to express oneself through dance make it a unique and rewarding experience.

Jazzercise – A Classic That Keeps You Moving

Jazzercise is a classic that just won’t ever go out of style. With a strong community, a proven track record of positive results, and an ever-evolving program, Jazzercise is the secret ingredient to a happy, healthy, and empowered life!

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