fitspirit.net » Jazzercise

Ever thought about becoming a Jazzercise Instructor?

Kristine — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 20:14:52 +0000

Having a career in the fitness industry is extremely rewarding. You set your own hours (and never work an 8-hour day!); impact the lives of women, men and children in your community; make tons of new friendships; and get paid to workout!

So what does it take to be a Jazzercise instructor?

First, you need to have a couple of key components in place. You need to have rhythm, great intensity, a good ear for music, a great smile and a burning desire to dance on a stage!

Becoming a Jazzercise instructor is a bit more involved than other group fitness certifications. While most companies hand over a certification after you’ve demonstrated the capacity to write a check, Jazzercise actually wants to make sure you CAN teach a successful class. The process sounds daunting, but with some serious dedication, about 86 percent of trainees pass our workshop and become instructors.

First, an existing instructor has to screen you to see if you have “potential” to pass. A class owner (the instructor who owns the classes at your location) also has to tell corporate that she has a need for a new instructor and could use you on her team.

Next, you are sent a contract to review, sign and return to corporate. Jazzercise teaching certifications are actually FRANCHISES - in the eyes of the law, you are becoming a business owner. After you’ve sent that signed contract back, and pay the franchise fee (currently $1,000) you will be sent all the training material needed for workshop. Specifically, you’ll learn 10 routines, and also study for a written exam. And, don’t forget your CPR certification. You’ll need one of those, too.

After you’ve passed the written exam and practiced your heart out, you’ll attend a workshop audition, where you’ll be asked to perform routines (usually 2-3 of the 10 you’ve learned) as if you ARE an instructor. Trainees who pass the audition demonstrate that they no longer just have “potential” but are now “ready” to teach a Jazzercise class at the quality calibre corporate holds us all to.

All of this usually takes 8-12 weeks.

OK, so it doesn’t exactly sound like a piece of cake, right? But that’s the beauty of it, too! Those who pass the audition and become instructors have truly demonstrated their professionalism, reliability, drive, and passion for fitness! They are the cream of the crop — and their students get to take advantage of that!

At Jazzercise Elk Grove, our philosophy is if a customer shows us their strong potential and desire to become an instructor, then we don’t want money to stand in the way of it. Everyone has the right to see their dreams fulfilled. And when one of us has a need, we step up!

Our newest trainee, Linda, will be going through the February workshop. Everyone who has seen her in class sees she has the potential and the desire (and she’s a lot of fun too!). We have been doing some fun-raisers to help her gather the franchise fee together, and we are very close! You can help her fulfill her dream, too! Check out our auctions (on the right), and place a bid!

More instructors to teach at our Center means more classes we can offer YOU! What class times would you like us to add?

Maximize May with Motion

Kristine — Wed, 04 May 2011 18:12:07 +0000

May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, designated in 1983 by the President’s Council on Fitness to promote healthy lifestyles among all Americans and improve our quality of life.

American leaders realized fitness was vital for our citizens as early as 1956, when President Eisenhower created the President’s Council on Youth Fitness, renamed in the early 1960s by President Kennedy as the President’s Council on Physical Fitness to include people of all ages.

As the President’s Council reminds us, every physical activity counts in your goal to become more fit. Jazzercise Founder and CEO Judi Sheppard Missett reminds us that the time we devote to keeping our bodies moving will reward us tenfold in happiness with the extra energy, productivity and good health we’ll enjoy for the rest of our lives.

Here are some ways to get your body moving:

Be a Sport
Join a community sports league – softball, soccer, basketball, flag football or even Ultimate Frisbee. You will have a blast and get your exercise in at the same time.

Join a Group
Join a group fitness class such as Jazzercise. Working out with others keeps you on target. Your classmates will hold you accountable for attending each day and you’ll enjoy working up a sweat together.

Exercise with Mom
Mother’s Day is May 8 so take some time to help Mom feel great. Depending upon her fitness level, take her for a scenic drive followed by a healthy lunch and brief stroll, or if she’s able, show her some gentle yoga stretches or tai chi motions. If mom is really fit, she might take you for a walk!

Have a Ball with Your Children
Engage your kids in fitness and fun. Toss a football across the yard; kick a soccer ball through a park; or take turns swatting a baseball with a bat and running to get the ball. Return home for a healthy snack accompanied by water or unsweetened juice.

Hip Hoopla
Remember Hula Hoops? Swirling a hoop around your swiveling hips is fabulous exercise for your abdominal muscles and your entire torso from the action and from all the laughing you’ll do. If you have children, have them join in; they might show you a thing or two.

Jack of All Trades
Jumping jacks can be done anywhere. All you need is your body and the desire to feel vital. Try variations such as half-jacks (raise your arms to shoulder height only); power jacks (finish each one with a squat) or scissors jacks (scissors your legs on each jump).

Whatever your fitness level, get moving in May and beyond. Your body will thank you.

Judi Sheppard Missett, who turned her love of jazz dance into a worldwide dance exercise phenomenon, founded the Jazzercise dance fitness program in 1969. She has advanced the business opportunities of women and men in the fitness industry by growing the program into an international franchise business that today, hosts a network of 7,800 instructors teaching more than 32,000 classes weekly in 32 countries.

The workout program, which offers a fusion of jazz dance, resistance training, Pilates, yoga, cardio box and Latin style movements, has positively affected millions of people worldwide. Benefits include increased cardiovascular endurance, strength, and flexibility, as well as an overall “feel good” factor. Additional Jazzercise programs include Junior Jazzercise, Jazzercise Lite and Personal Touch. For more information on Jazzercise go to jazzercise.com or call (800)FIT-IS-IT or (760)476-1750.

Coming this Summer – Attendance Game time!

Kristine — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 22:41:25 +0000

You are sure to be up for this challenge when you get a look at the prize, too! Here’s how our Summer Attendance Game works: Buddy up with one other member; attend a combined total of 60 classes in June and July (so that’s 30 each, or 40/20, or 50/10, etc); and both team members will win a super cute animal print tote bag (limited quantities)! The totes are ordered, and will be here sometime next month to show off, but they really are super cute!

Celebrate Someone Today! Give 30 Days of Jazzercise AND a Luxury Candle

Kristine — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 22:38:42 +0000

Are you looking for a great gift for Mother’s Day, graduation, or a bride to be? Introduce friends and family to your favorite workout with 30 Days of Jazzercise bundled with a luxury candle. Best of all, it won’t break your budget – only $19 (retail value $99).

Developed by luxury candle maker Illume exclusively for Jazzercise, this classy candle comes in an 8 oz. silver tin and features the company’s signature saffron lavender scent. Available for purchase NOW from our Center for a limited time only (while supplies last). Pick one up next time you’re in class!

Tone Your Tummy for Summer

Kristine — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 02:11:23 +0000

Now that spring has sprung, it’s time to get serious about toning our torsos so we can feel carefree all summer long. Strengthening our abdominal muscles is important for our overall health and well-being. Abs support our entire body by giving us core strength, supporting our backs and helping us keep our balance, especially as we get older.

Jazzercise Founder and CEO Judi Sheppard Missett says while it’s great to work out with summer goals in mind, consistency is the key to all exercise programs. Talk with your doctor if you are new or returning to exercise after a long absence.

Here are some torso tuning ideas:

Side Knee Raises
Stand with your feet apart, shift most of your weight to your right leg, bending your right knee slightly. Push your left hip out to the side. Your torso will be on a slight diagonal from your legs. Raise your left arm straight up, make a fist and pull your arm down while lifting your left knee up and to the side. Lift with your side abs (obliques), not your thigh.

Reverse Sit-Ups
Sit on the floor with your legs bent, knees up, feet touching the floor, your torso and thighs making a V-shape, hands on the floor beside your hips. Lean back, lowering your torso halfway to the floor, then pull yourself up using your abs. Keep your back as straight as possible. Cross your arms across your chest for a greater challenge.

V-Pulls
Sit on the floor with your legs bent, knees up, feet touching the floor, your torso and thighs making a V-shape. Place your hands on the floor behind you. Lift your feet off the floor and bring your knees into your chest 10 – or even 20 – times. Hold your abs tight and keep your back as straight as possible.

Planking
Lie on the floor on your right side, supporting yourself on your right elbow; stack your legs and hips on top of each other, your elbow directly under your shoulder, your left arm lying on your left hip. Lift your hips off the floor and hold in straight line as if you are a plank of wood. Flip over and have fun on the left side too. For more of a challenge, lift your top arm straight up while lifting your hips off the floor.

Alternate these abdominal exercises with other daily physical activity, and eat a balanced diet, and you’ll be ready for summer in no time.

What’s Hot, What’s Not

Kristine — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 18:26:24 +0000

(CARLSBAD, CA) – Fitness fads come and go. Are you up-to-date with the current trends in the health and wellness industry?

Jazzercise Founder & CEO Judi Sheppard Missett has been at the forefront of fitness industry trends for more than 40 years. Missett shares these tips on “what’s hot” and “what’s not.”

What’s Hot	What’s Not
Combination Moves –Do overhead presses with your squats. Perform bicep curls with your lunges. Working multiple muscle groups simultaneously is the hottest fitness trend today. If you’re in a time crunch – or even if you just want to get more out of your workout – then combo exercises are the way to go.	Single Moves – Isolating just one body part isn’t going to hurt you. You’ll still get fitness benefits from simple leg lifts or push-ups. You just won’t burn as many calories or work your body as efficiently as doing combination moves. Combo moves fatigue your muscles in a two-for-one fashion, making single isolations a trend of the past.
Buddy Up for Workouts – Get a fitness friend to join in your workouts. You’ll boost your chances of sticking with your regimen if you know that your workout buddy is waiting for you to show up at group fitness class. Be sure to choose someone whose schedule, goals and exercise intensity level match your own.	Flying Solo – Solitary runs through the park. Individual rides on your mountain bike. Single treks around the track. Working out alone presents a number of safety risks. You’re also less likely to push yourself if you don’t have another person to turn up your intensity that extra notch.
Stabilizing Your Core – Core–based exercises target the deepest layer of your abdominal muscles, known as the transversus abdominis, which works like a corset to trim your waistline. Core exercises also strengthen your lower back while improving your balance and coordination. Most importantly, the Mayo Clinic reports that core strength helps prevent injuries.	Endless Crunches – There’s nothing wrong with a crunchfest on occasion, but never rely solely on crunches to melt your muffin top. Many abdominal exercises, crunches included, only target the superficial abdominal muscles, leaving you disappointed when you don’t get those washboard abs.
Taking “Me” Time – It’s impossible to meet the needs of your boss, co-workers, family and friends if you aren’t taking any time to rejuvenate yourself. Carve out some time for taking a bubble bath, reading a good book or walking along the beach.	Burning Yourself Out – If you’re attempting to be the perfect employee, mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend and neighbor, then you’re probably neglecting one important person in that picture – you! Neglecting yourself is far from chic.
Keeping Track – Wear a pedometer to count your steps. Keep a food journal to record what you eat and when you eat it. The newest trend is all about empowering yourself with knowledge. You’ll be much more successful reaching your fitness and nutritional goals if you have accurate stats.	Guessing Games – So, you “think” that you walked about one mile. And you “estimate” that tonight’s pasta serving was one-half cup. But, how accurate is your guessing game? Unfortunately, most of us aren’t very adept at our estimations, which is probably why guessing is a method of the past.

Jazzercise, created by Judi Sheppard Missett, is the world’s leading dance-fitness program with more than 7,800 instructors teaching 32,000 classes weekly in the U.S. and around the globe. Since 1969, millions of people of all ages and fitness levels have reaped the benefits of this comprehensive program, designed to enhance cardiovascular endurance, strength, and flexibility. For more information on Jazzercise go to jazzercise.com or call (800)FIT-IS-IT or (760)476-1750.

New customer summer sale!

Kristine — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 04:42:30 +0000

This is your hour … this summer, make it count!

New and former customers can sign up at Galt Jazzercise in April and pay only $99 for unlimited classes through Aug. 31 when they sign up for EFT beginning in September 2010.

This is great news for current customers, too! Remember, EVERY friend you refer to Galt Jazzercise (who signs up) gets you 50% off one month of EFT. So, if you refer one friend, you get one month half off; if you refer 9 friends, you get 9 months half off. And remember too, if you refer 10 friends, you’ll get a whole year FREE! If you have some friends in mind you’d like to invite to class, ask us for a special DVD you can give to them to show them what we’re all about. And don’t forget to mention the summer sale!

Jazzercise your way to a smaller middle

Kristine — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 23:49:04 +0000

We all hate that muffin top, don’t we? Known as visceral fat, abdominal fat is not only just plain ugly, but studies show it’s a sign of increased cancer and diabetes risk.

A new study just came out that shows exercise is more important than diet in controlling abdominal fat. Researchers at the University of Alabama studied women who had lost weight through diet and exercise, and found that only those who had continued exercising after dieting kept off the “bad” fat.

Their exercise was a combination of aerobic work and strength training. Sound familiar?

So to sum it up, consistent Jazzercise attendance will reduce your bad fat, as well as your risk of cancer and diabetes!

See you in class!

Pilates, anyone?

Kristine — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 20:30:50 +0000

It’s a Jazzercise first — and a first for Galt! Pilates has come to town! This class is the perfect blend of strength, stretch and even a nice dose of yoga!

This special session runs 4 weeks, with one class a week. class time is 8 am on Saturdays.

Jazzercise recommends we charge $60 for the session, but we’re offering this session for only $40 — a $20 savings to you! Drop-in rate is $15 per class.

To sign up, simply come to class a few minutes early. Classes are at 85 Enterprise Ct, Ste C. For more information, call Kristine at 209-224-4976.

Jazzerkamp Roundup

Kristine — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 02:12:53 +0000

Galt Jazzercise’s first-ever Jazzerkamp was a huge success! Each day, 18 kids came for three hours and exercised, learned about nutrition, played games and did crafts. We even snuck in some yoga when things got a little out of hand! Many of our crafts, nutrition and physical activities came directly out of the Girl Scout Brownie Try-It handbook, so the three girl scouts we had at camp earned four Try-Its!

Video clips were shot each day. If you’d like to see them, they are here:

Day One:

Day Two:

Day Three:

Day Four:

Day Five:

Look for a special Jr Jazzercise Halloween Night coming this fall (near Halloween, of course)!