If you have taken a dance group fitness class at Ping within the past three years, you might have had Robert as an instructor. He could move and shake like nobody’s business.
The only dance experience I have is Irish Dancing, so I definitely wasn’t an expert, but he somehow made even the most timid participants get out of their comfort zone. His classes always felt just like one big dance party, and I needed just that on Sunday night, so I decided to try out Hip Hop Hustle.
I’m not sure if Robert is a group fitness instructor anymore, but the instructor for this class was named Corrinne. There were about twenty people there when I walked in, so I took a spot toward the middle of the room where I felt comfortable. After introducing herself, Corrinne asked if this was anyone’s first time taking the class, and surprisingly, about half the participants raised their hands (including me).
We started off with three warm-up songs, which not only helped loosen us up, but it also released some positive energy into the room. After a water break at the end of our warm-up, Corrinne taught us four simple moves, without music. Once we practiced that choreography a few times, we put it to music.
We repeated that pattern two more times: learn a little bit more choreography, add it from the top, practice the whole sequence, then add music. It was very digestible, the way our instructor broke it down. Seeing everyone around me get into it made me get into it too. I forgot that I was even working out.
About halfway through the class, Corrinne made us form a giant circle. For about two or three minutes, we followed her lead with a couple of plank exercises; As grueling as these were, I understood why we did them—core strengthening is a key component of a dancer’s training.
After that, we danced some more and ended the class with a thorough cool-down, composed of several different stretches and deep breathing. I felt incredibly refreshed afterwards, and the endorphins were still pumping through my body an hour later.
Even if you have zero dance experience, I encourage you to try Hip Hop Hustle. It’s not a sweat-your-eyeballs-out kind of class, but it’s still a blast to feel like you’re a cool backup dancer for an hour.
Emily McIntyre is a senior studying journalism with a focus in news and information at Ohio University. What class should Emily try next? Let her know by emailing her at em564912@ohio.edu.
