If you haven’t tried a SHINE Dance Fitness class yet, it’s ok. I hadn’t either until now. And now I’m hooked! It was SO MUCH FUN! And I honestly had no idea what to expect when I accepted the invitation to represent the Orlando Mom Collective and check out a class at the White Swan Academy dance studio in Ocoee. But I’m glad I took the risk and tried a new exercise outside of my comfort zone. It was a blast!
What is SHINE Dance Fitness?
According to their website, a SHINE Dance Fitness class has a little bit of jazz, ballet and hip hop, plus toning and a dash of “high intensity cardio.” It is a full-body workout (Oh, it definitely is. I felt it!) And they share that SHINE is a “mood-lifting experience that leaves you feeling capable, confident and connected.” I couldn’t agree more. I had SO much fun during those 60 minutes. My mood was definitely lifted.
Is it beginner friendly?
YES! I haven’t been working out consistently (since like 2008 when I FINALLY lost the baby weight from my son who was 2 at the time!) But I honestly felt like I was able to keep up with the class (for the most part! HA!) No, really. I didn’t feel like I was huffing and puffing. And I appreciated that the SHINE Dance Fitness instructor, Lola, shared both low and high impact modifications, to make the class beginner friendly. I even invited my daughter and her friend to join me (they’re both 12 year old competitive gymnasts), and they did a great job!
Are the dance moves hard to follow?
I would say the dance moves are not complicated or advanced, but it depends on your experience. I have taken hip hop workout classes in the past (at a 24 Hour Fitness) and I remember having trouble learning some of those steps. I’ve also been known to jump on stage with Zumba instructor friends to help lead classes at a YMCA because I can do those moves in my sleep! So it depends. If you’ve taken dance type fitness classes like Zumba or hip hop, SHINE Dance Fitness will feel very similar to that. The instructor (in this case Lola) shows you a few steps, one by one, and then you put them all together.
Does it feel like a good workout?
It felt like a GREAT workout! The SHINE Dance Fitness website says it’s a “full body” workout and I really felt like that’s what I got. I love it when exercise is fun, but you also feel it the next day! To be honest, based on the workout, I thought for sure I was going to be SO sore … but surprisingly, I wasn’t! I felt a little sore, but nothing intense (like after you try a bootcamp class for the 1st time. Ouch!)
Post in the comments if you have any other questions. Or you can get in touch with SHINE Dance Fitness instructor, Lola, here. She teaches at White Swan Academy in Ocoee. Oh, and if you want to check out a class, let me know! I might want to join you! 🙂
~Coppelia
