Ladies get their hearts pumping and burn up some calories during Colts Neck Recreation’s Cardio Swing Dance Party class. See Photo Galleries at www.gmnews.com. JEFF GRANIT staff The music is pumping at the Colts Neck Recreation Center on a Friday morning as a group of women gets ready to dance under the leadership of Piper Williams.
The Colts Neck Recreation Department’s Cardio Swing Dance Party is a big success and is recommended by those taking part.
Williams, who has his own studio, the Action Room in Howell, has taught other classes for the Colts Neck Recreation Department in the past.
The great thing about the cardio swing class is that it appeals to people who may not be fans of working out, Williams said.
“Not everyone likes to exercise, but most people do enjoy dancing, and as long as they are active and they are moving and they are having fun, then it’s a positive,” Williams said.
The cardio swing class gives participants an opportunity to have a cardio workout in a casual environment.
“If you can smile and sweat, then that’s the double whammy,” Williams said of his style of fitness classes.
The cardio swing class does not require a participant to have a partner. Williams teaches his students the steps to dances like the jitterbug, the jive and the Charleston.
The action starts the moment Williams turns on the music. He teaches the participants a series of steps that are repeated throughout the workout. Although the steps may be the same, the pace differs depending on the tempo of a particular song. While all of the songs keep the group moving, the music gradually gets faster. From time to time Williams will introduce a new element into the dance routine, pausing to teach the group a new step or enhancing a step the participants have already learned.
Participant Jo Clement said it can take a little time to tackle a new step, but soon it is a part of the routine.
Clement praised Williams and the hour-long class. She said she enjoys the class so much that she wishes it were held twice a week.
Recreation director Thomas Hennessey said the idea of offering a good cardio workout appealed to him. He said township officials want to provide classes that appeal to people of all ages.
An hour spent at the Cardio Swing Dance Party goes by in a flash. In the blink of an eye, Williams is announcing the last song and encouraging the women to give “all you have to give and a little bit more.” He then leads the group in a cool down exercise.
A new session of the class is expected to start in the spring. For information about this class and other classes offered by the Colts Neck Recreation Department, visit www.cnrecparks.com. The recreation department also has a Facebook page to keep people updated on the latest news.