Remember Jazzercise?

I don’t.  But I grew up in the 80’s so I have some images burned in my brain. Leg warmers. Tights. Nylons.  Permed hair.  Peppy instructors.

It’s something that we may have made fun of, but it made way for a different way to exercise. Group workouts.  To music. Dancing. Fun.

Yep, nothing screams 80’s workout like Jazzercise.  The woman behind it is a rich lady today and she hasn’t quit building it.

This year, Jazzercise turns 50. It’s a company that brings in more than a hundred million dollars a year and has thousands of franchises, more than a thousand instructors in more than 30 countries. It’s considered to be the second-fastest growing franchise in the U.S. The CEO and founder Judi Sheppard Missett is the woman to thank. She has just released her book “Building a Business with a Beat” explaining just how she turned her passion for “moving and grooving” into a successful business around the world.

She is 75 now – she’s gotten rid of the leg warmers, the routines have changed,  and the music is a little more modern. And unlike 50 years ago, Jazzercise is no longer promoted to women only. It’s all ages, and men and women are in class.

The Jazzercise website says it blends dance with Pilates, kickboxing and strength training.  Mixing things up. The “original dance party workout” keeps going.  50 years later.  As ridiculous as it might seem to us now, you can thank Jazzercise for many of the fitness fads of today – like Zumba. If you ever want to join me at Zumba let me know. It’s one of my favourite things to do in life. Seriously. And leg warmers are optional (smile).

Categorised in: Afternoons

This post was written by Carrie Buchanan