What do you get when you combine jazz dance and exercise? Jazzercise of course! It may have been around since 1969, but Jazzercise has evolved with the fitness times and now combines elements of jazz dance cardio with resistance training, Pilates, yoga, kickboxing and circuit training. There is something for everyone to enjoy in a Jazzercise class and, as they say, if you are exercising and having fun "the results come easy!"

Classes are an hour in length, except for the new Cardio Blast that packs an aerobic workout into 30 minutes. Set to contemporary music in all genres, choreographed stretching routines bookend a 40 minute plus of cardio dance workout. Jazzercise has incorporated strength training with weights, bands and/or balls into all their classes and every area gets worked, often with multi-tasking, core challenging moves. If you are new to exercise this is a great way to start. The movements are basic, but fun. You can also check out many of the moves before heading to a class at the Jazzercise website page - Learn the Moves. The class atmosphere is community driven and comforting for the not-so fit and the not-so coordinated (my mother loves Jazzercise). Since the classes are fast paced and the music choices super current, young and hip fitness freaks will still benefit from taking a class. I burned 354 calories in the hour class that I took!

Jazzercise has also added Body Sculpting and Personal Touch (smaller weight training classes) for dance exercise enthusiast who wants to pump it up a notch. Class prices vary from location to location, but many instructors or Jazzercise centers have special offers for newbies.

Find a class using the class locater. Or call (800)FIT-IS-IT. You might be surprised by the exotic locales where Jazzercize is offered, from Italy to Micronesia - there just might be a class near you.