Zumba Classes at the JCC Indianapolis
FREE FOR MEMBERS
Our dance classes at the JCC Indianapolis are first and foremost cardio fitness classes with dance-like moves. The low impact cardio part means working to achieve a target heart rate, increasing metabolic rate, burning calories, and improving stamina. The dance part is for participants to have so much fun, they don’t even realize they’re getting a great cardio workout! Zumba is an aerobic Latin dance workout similar to Jazzercise; its distinctive characteristic is its use of Latin American music and dance rhythms.
Benefits of Zumba Exercise
It’s fun: The more you enjoy your exercise routine, the more likely you are to stick with it. Many people say they have so much fun dancing that they forget they are actually exercising.
Great for weight loss: Zumba class is a powerful exercise with a 600 to 1,000-calorie burn in just an hour.
Tones your entire body: You may feel sore in places you never knew existed, but it gets results. Aerobic dance targets lots of different muscle groups at once for total body toning.
Boosts your heart health: You not only get aerobic benefits (it really gets your heart rate up), but you also get anaerobic benefits – the kind that help you maintain a good cardiovascular respiratory system.
Makes you happy: Every time you exercise, you release endorphins, which trigger positive feelings throughout the body.
A Zumba Workout Is Best Suited for …
Those looking for low impact but high aerobic cardio.
Women ages 24-55 or older looking to lose or maintain weight.
Working professionals who want to maximize the small amount of time they have available to get a full-body workout.
What to Expect
It is best to wear yoga pants and light tops and footwear, or items that allow for freedom of movement but won’t tangle easily. Bare feet are not allowed for hygiene reasons.
Our Cardio Dance and Zumba classes are free as a benefit of membership and are for JCC members only.
Most Zumba classes take place in the large Group Exercise Studio in the Mordoh Fitness Center. Summer Island Zumba takes place on the part of the pool deck encircled by the lazy river (Schloss [small] Gymnasium is rain backup).
Check our Schedules page for dates and times.
JCC Zumba Instructors
Lindsey Jay had a passion for fitness skyrocket her senior year of college at Ball State University in 2012 – she ran her first mini marathon that year and has averaged 1-2 mini marathons every year since. She became certified to teach Zumba in 2014 and A.C.E. certified for personal training in June 2020.
Lindsey’s personal experience of staying fit through pregnancy and then working on toning and losing weight postpartum has led her to specialize in working with pregnant and postpartum women, helping them regain core strength that was lost during pregnancy.
While she loves helping everyone in their fitness journey, she has a special place in her heart for helping women feel confident in their own skin and creating healthy routines to implement.
Julie Sondhelm has been a certified group fitness instructor and a Zumba zin instructor for 6+ years. Julie is a mom of 4 and works as a social worker. She appreciates the benefits of exercise on both physical and mental health, and personally loves many fitness formats including strength classes, yoga, interval training, and any activity outdoors. A lifelong fitness enthusiast, Julie loves sharing her passion for movement and Latin/World rhythms with her participants. Get ready for a fun, high energy and engaging class that will leave you smiling!
Anni Hine has been teaching dance since high school and Zumba since 2007, when she was certified by celebrity fitness trainer and creator of Zumba, Beto Perez. Anni loves Zumba because of all the fun and diverse music, rhythms, and cultures she has gotten to learn about through dance. “Zumba is perfect for everybody and every body! Super effective? Check. Super fun? Check and check. A total workout, combining all elements of fitness – cardio, muscle conditioning, balance and flexibility, boosted energy and a serious dose of awesome each time you leave class.” Anni looks forward to working out with you!
Fitness Is a Core Jewish Value
At the JCC, fitness isn’t just something we do; it’s who we are. Although exercise is not mentioned in the Torah, taking care of one’s health is. In fact, while other belief systems advocate for the healing power of prayer, Judaism encourages people to look after their health and seek counsel from medical experts. In Judaism, good health is not a goal in itself; rather, it is a means to an end – to serve the Creator.