Zumba Lovers Discover ‘Z Place For Fitness’

By Nancy K. Crevier

Walls painted brilliant shades of green, pink, and lavender warm up the cavernous 3,700 square feet of Z Place For Fitness, 266 South Main Street, and exude an energy that studio owner Tammy DeMarche hopes is conveyed to the members of Newtown’s only fitness studio devoted to Zumba.

Zumba is a high-energy dance and exercise routine that combines interval training with dance steps set to international music. Created 12 years ago by celebrity fitness trainer Beto Perez of Colombia, Zumba, a trademarked name, now has approximately 10 million followers worldwide.

Z Place For Fitness is counting on the many Zumba devotees in the area to join in the experience at the studio, which opened December 18, in the new Plaza South. “Zumba is fun, and it doesn’t feel like you are working out. It’s more like you are dancing at a party,” said the former bookkeeper and stay-at-home mother.

Ms DeMarche began taking Zumba classes four years ago, and realizing that she loved the energetic way to keep fit, became a certified Zumba instructor. She had taken tap and jazz dance classes as an adult for the past ten years, and that background did help her achieve her goal of becoming a Zumba instructor, she said. For a year, she conducted classes in the Great Room of the Newtown Congregational Church, and at area dance studios.

 She is now a Basic 1 and 2, Toning, Gold, and Zumbatomic certified instructor, and along with five other certified Zumba instructors, has been leading classes for all ages and levels at Z Place For Fitness since its opening day. Her 17-year-old daughter, Anastasia, has been recently certified to teach Zumba, as well, and will lead the children’s classes, said Ms DeMarche. A total of 21 classes are offered at Z Place For Fitness, at various times, for adults, senior citizens, and children.

Despite the sluggish economy, Ms DeMarche felt that the time was right for opening her own business. “I felt like the economy was coming back. And lots of people enjoy Zumba and exercising, so I decided to take the chance, and do something I love,” she said.

Laying the hardwood floor was a family affair, said Ms DeMarche, with her husband, Burt, providing his expertise. Beneath the wide planks is a quarter-inch layer of recycled rubber, giving resiliency to the floor, and making it a comfortable surface for dancing. Up to 30 “Zumbaers” can be accommodated at one time in the space, she said, and the mirror that runs along the entire front wall provides participants with visual cues, and allows the instructor to see her clients, as well.

A dance background helps the instructors, “But for students, Zumba is for all levels and no dance experience is needed,” Ms DeMarche stressed. Official “Zumba Wear” is sold at Z Place For Fitness, but all that is really needed, she said, are comfortable clothes and good sneakers or dance sneakers.

“We do the same routines for a while, so students get used to the steps. People come in believing that they are too uncoordinated, and they do just fine. As long as they keep moving and having fun, they are all right,” said Ms DeMarche.

The Gold classes are slower paced classes for beginners and senior citizens, or for anyone who does not feel ready to keep up with the quick pace of a regular Zumba class, Ms DeMarche said. As people become more comfortable with the dance steps and in better shape, they may want to transfer into the regular class. Class participants to date have been mainly women, said Ms DeMarche, but men are definitely welcomed to Z Place For Fitness. “Be brave and try it,” urged Ms DeMarche, and pointed out that a male instructor originally devised the Zumba routine.

Children’s classes, “Zumbatomics,” will be offered in two-month sessions, for children ages 4 to 7, and 8 to 12. The 45-minute classes will meet once a week, and provide a step-by-step breakdown of a song, and build on that each week. “There will also be a little free time at the end of each class for parachute play and for free dance and musical games,” she said. Children’s classes are for both boys and girls.

“With the toning class, which I will be adding soon, we will use toning sticks for stationary exercises, as well as the Zumba dancing,” Ms DeMarche said. The complete class schedule can be viewed at zplaceforfitness.com.

Z Place For Fitness is also available for private birthday parties. Children’s parties include one hour of entertainment and Zumba movement. “Then we play with a parachute, and do musical games, and spend the last half hour having pizza and cake,” she said. Pizza and paper goods are included in the $150 fee for  ten children but drinks and cake are the client’s responsibility.

Reaching out to the community is important to Ms DeMarche, and fundraisers can be booked at her place of business. On Friday evening, February 4, Z Place For Fitness will support Newtown runner Amy Griffin’s benefit, Running For A Difference. Although Ms Griffin has never met 4-year-old Rena Malcolm, who is suffering from kidney cancer, she hopes to raise enough support to send Rena and her family on a trip to Disney World in Florida. Proceeds from the purchase of a wristband to take part in the Zumba For A Difference Party, at 7:30 pm, will support Amy’s cause. “Tutus and tiaras are welcome,” notes the Zumba For A Difference flyer, and participants can also look forward to a raffle and door prizes, including a chance to win a month’s worth of classes at Z Place For Fitness. For more information, visit addictedtozumba@yahoo.com, amy@runningforadifference.com, or claudiahikade@gmail.com.

Even combating the flu and cold season, and two feet of snow during her first month of business, Ms DeMarche is happy with the initial response to Z Place For Fitness. “I’m pleased,” said Ms DeMarche, “and people are still finding out about it. It’s fun. Our music is always updated, and that keeps it fresh, new, and interesting. It’s a great way to get exercise.”

For complete information about Z Place For Fitness, visit zplaceforfitness.com or call 203-304-9555.