BUZZWORTHY/Swiveling and Gyrating thru Alexandria's New Exercise Craze

Photo by Allison Priebe Brooks/Local Kicks Leo Lins is co-founder of the Latin Mix exercise craze.

ALEXANDRIA, VA. - A new exercise craze known as Latin Mix is sweeping across the area's Gold's Gyms and has landed a huge following in Alexandria.

Created by Leo Lins, 29, and Roberson Magalhaes, 39, the two came together to create the genre out of necessity when a Zumba instructor fell ill back in 2007.   

Photo by Allison Priebe Brooks/Local Kicks Bird Dawson smiles away as she stands front and center at Latin Mix.

Latin Mix is now a hot, hot class a Gold's Gym.

Don’t believe me?  Then just try to find a parking spot when one of the six Latin Mix classes is taught at Alexandria Gold’s Gym on Richmond Highway.

Alexandria resident Bird Dawson began taking the Latin Mix classes from the very beginning and continues to take four to five classes each week.

“Not only do the classes give us a good workout, but we have so much fun!  I have dropped at least 10 pounds and have noticed my legs and abs are more toned,” Dawson told me.

Fitness fanatics love to come in for the great workout and also to hear the terrific music.  There are six routines and various songs are played to reflect a Latin flavor.

Artists include South American, Hip Hop and Dance music including Pitbull and Sharkira,  – all peppered with Latin beats.  Some routines even expanded on to include the Bollywood style Indian music.

Smiles and sweat both seem to be contagious in the dance studio of 40 to 60 participants.  People in the classes come in all shapes, sizes, ages, and ethnicity groups.  

Photo by Allison Priebe Brooks/Local Kicks Leo Lins at full stride.

It is a true melting pot demographically speaking – teenagers and 20-something year old students sweating alongside 50-year old housewives.  

Both men and women take the classes, although females tend to dominate about 90 percent.  Athletic abilities also vary greatly – some are in great shape, while others are novice.

 “Leo does a great job giving people options to workout at their own level – some are advanced and some people are way beginner,” Dawson said.

Brazilian born Lins and Magalhaes are highly trained and skilled athletes who met while training for Taekwondo national championships – both hold Brazilian national titles.
 
The partnership was formed when the pair moved stateside in 2002.  They are both employed full time by Gold’s Gym.  The pair created this new genre of excercise a few years later, and now Latin Mix has a huge following.  

They are hoping to take the new fitness craze global and are working with professionals to expand Latin Mix beyond just Northern Virginia.  
Lins explains: “Our classes are the real only alternative to Zumba – we feel we have something special here.  We have routines, rhythms, and phases to our classes – beginning with the warm-up, routine, cardio, another routine and the cool down.  There is a pattern here – people are learning to dance and getting great exercise – burning between 600-800 calories. “

Each week, the Gold’s Gym location in Alexandria offers four classes;  the Lorton and Lakeridge locations each host one class per week.
 
Devoted Latin Mixers often travel between the gyms to take the classes, and along the way they have really gotten to know each other.
 

Photo by Allison Priebe Brooks/Local Kicks Swiveling and gyrating to better health.

“Not only do we all get to exercise together, but we have created a little community in our classes.  We go out to lunch, have BBQs, celebrate birthdays, and know each other’s kids.  Because of these classes most of us die-hards no longer feel totally anonymous in the gym environment, “ Dawson said.   

Be sure to check out their Latin Mix Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=44184853578&ref=nf  

If you are a member of Gold’s Gym you can always join any of the six Latin Mix classes.  Non-members can jump in anytime for a $1o fee – that is, if you can find one of those coveted parking spots!  

A special Latin Mix dance class will be held at Georgetown's City Tavern Club on March 30 to benefit The Washington Humane Society at 7PM, for a $20 donation.  A healthy dinner will also be served afterwards. Click here for details: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?invites&eid=36194458963

The word is out:  Latin Mix is Muy Caliente.

BUZZ! BUZZ!