Student Instructors Share A Love of Zumba
Marina Stuart
If you walk to the AC at 5:15 PM on Tuesdays or Thursdays and head to the spin and dance studios, you will hear the bass of a Rihanna or Nicki Ninaj song thumping through the floorboards: a sure sign that a Zumba class is in session.
For those who don’t know, Zumba is a dance fitness program created by Alberto “Beto” Perez during the 1990s. It incorporates different dance styles, such has hip hop and salsa, and creates a really fun but intense workout.
The two instructors at Conn this year are Bridget Byers ’13 and Alysia Mattson ’15. Byers first brought Zumba to Conn and it has been growing here ever since.
“I went to a Zumba instructor workshop my senior year in high school (2009). When I got to Conn, I started the first Zumba classes right away during the fall of my freshman year,” Byers said, “As an underclassman, I was excited to start something new. It was such a great way to make friends and find my place on campus.”
“I started attending classes here during the hurricane freshman year. I fell in love with Zumba! I spent my winter break choreographing and was able to start teaching my own class the second semester of my freshman year,” said Mattson, who has been leading classes since last year.
To maximize your Zumba experience, you just have to dive into the class and forget everything else. Speaking from personal experience, it’s a little awkward and you feel silly at first, but once you get into the rhythm of the music, it becomes extraordinarily fun.
“I could not imagine a better way to work out. It’s a complete dance party. I love all the crazy people in my classes and look forward to teaching every week. I’ve met so many amazing people and feel like I could conquer the world with Zumba,” said Mattson.
During the class, Byers or Mattson leads the class from the front of the room. Everyone follows along behind them. Students either watch the instructor or follow along in the mirror, and the songs are played from a computer or iPod and blasted throughout the room from a giant speaker borrowed from the AC.
“Preparing for class has gotten easier over time – I started out using CDs and a boom box freshman year. Even then, the class was supportive and patient. Though everyone comes to class with their own anxieties and emotions from the workday, the class always has a positive tone. The group setting is motivating and supportive. I have never had a negative experience with anyone taking Zumba! Everyone’s there to sweat and have fun!” said Byers.
But just because it’s fun does not mean it isn’t hard; after only two songs, everyone in the room is sweating and stretching out to loosen their muscles.
“When everyone is dripping with sweat at the end of the hour… it’s the most rewarding feeling in the world,” said Mattson, “I like knowing that my choreography has been keeping Conn students sexy and I love watching my classes grow, especially when bikini season comes around.”
Alex Tritto ’16 has been going to the class for a few weeks and said, “I think it’s a good workout—it just feels like dancing and having fun with your friends. Plus it makes you happy afterwards.”
Each song has completely different choreography. After the first verse you usually get the hang of it, but those new to Zumba may find it mind-boggling that the choreographers and seasoned dancers can remember all the different moves.
“Ninety percent of my songs I choreographed [myself]. I spent a lot of time during finals week in the dance studio choreographing,” said Mattson, “It was an effective stress reliever and fun workout! A few of the songs have moves borrowed from other Zumba instructors, but I love coming up with new moves!
In the hour-long class, you can hear over ten songs played. Freshman Natalie Bennett’s favorite song is ‘Starships’ by Nicki Minaj, as is Mattson’s.
“It’s so energetic and everyone dies by the time we are done. It’s great.”
Byers is currently loving T-pain’s ‘Church.’ She said, “I get bored with old choreo sometimes, but ‘La mujer del pelotero’ by Clan537 is my favorite merengue and ‘I Wanna Go’ by Britney Spears will always have a special place in my heart.”
ConnFit Brings New CrossFit Craze to Students
Emily Brouwer
Connfit, a recently approved student club pioneered by Jack Hile ’14 and Ryan Dillon ’13, is one of the most interesting student-led health and fitness initiatives to launch in the history of Connecticut College. Taking their own spin-off of the inspirational CrossFit training program, the two have brought their love for fitness and a healthy lifestyle to our campus, allowing students of any experience or strength to train free of cost.
Committed to “developing well-rounded athletes by testing through workouts with varied time domains and modalities, [Connfit workouts range] from weightlifting to gymnastics to endurance training – combined in a circuit.” With intentions to both educate and train athletes, Hile points out that safety comes first. Students are taught how to properly warm up, perform a weight circuit and execute specific exercises, so that everyone can feel comfortable and confident during the workout.
The best thing about this group is that it’s open to everyone and anyone, at any fitness level. As Hile describes, “When I first stepped into my CrossFit gym I was greeted by a group of extremely friendly, hard-working people who were there to support me and everyone around them. Right from the get go I knew that the kind of bonds CrossFit fosters were long lasting and meaningful. When you put a group of people together who are all giving everything they have to achieve their goals, it definitely creates a special atmosphere.”
In an effort to make this community a reality at Connecticut College, Dillon and Hile have worked hard, and succeeded, in gathering support amongst faculty, students and administration alike. Not only have the two raised morale and created a newfound sense of community amongst students, they have also made improvements to the athletic center itself. The two are responsible for the purchase and update of new weights and equipment in the AC, and since it’s mid-semester start, the group has held at least ten workout sessions incorporating new equipment and new faces.
What was their inspiration? Hile admits, “It’s cliché but I’ve always thought of my Dad to be one of my biggest inspirations. He works extremely hard and has provided me uncountable opportunities to achieve my goals. Obviously I would have to say everyone in my gym as well – the support I have received from Crossfit Newton is unbelievable… it inspired me to go forward and start ConnFit with Ryan.”
The future of the club looks bright. Dillon and Hile hope that with the growth of the group, they will soon host some multifaceted events, such as workouts for a cause or seminars on fitness and nutrition. Additionally the duo tells us we can look forward to a ConnFit Games tournament, to be hosted in the spring of 2013. For now, join the Facebook group and stay tuned for the announcement of weekly workouts! Come experience what Dillon describes as, “A way of life.”
