By Clyde Noel

Seniors find fun and fitness at Hillview jazzercize class

They’re there to have fun and get fit, even though it’s the hottest day of the year, and no one is keeping score.

Starting with a song by Britney Spears, the music never stops at the Jazzercise class.

“Walk it on up. Take it on up,” said Jazzercise instructor Robin Wada. “Are you having fun? Are you sweating yet? Remember your water bottle.”

Levene Cornelius of Los Altos comes to class at the Hillview Community Center five days a week. “I’m here to get thin, and I think it’s working,” she said.

Caroline Spangler of Los Altos said it’s more fun than the gym because the music changes all the time, and besides, it’s a social time.

“This class has no age differential. It’s mostly middle-aged women, but there are a lot of older people in here,” Spangler said.

Jazzercise is a unique combination of exercise, jazz-dance movements and popular music. It has something for everyone, from people who come for the first time to those who are seasoned exercise lovers.

The music switches to a lively Jennifer Lopez number.

“How do you feel?” Wada asks.

“Whooee,” they answer.

“Suck it in, suck it in,” Wada says. “Keep moving. I know it’s hot. We’ll break in a minute for water.”

Dancing to a Donna Summer song, Wendy Lee said, “Four of us come down from Portola Valley three or four times a week. I work full time as an antique dealer, and this exercise makes a big difference in my work.” Lee is 66 years young.

Dena Evans of Los Altos Hills said she can either stay home and get fat or come to Jazzercise. “Jazzercise is the only exercise I’ve had for 15 years. I love to eat, and this class helps me burn off those calories.”

Wada said each Jazzercise class is approximately 70 minutes long and includes a warm-up segment with gentle rhythmic movements and isolations to get the muscle groups agile.

This is followed by an aerobic segment to increase cardiovascular fitness and burn calories, an aerobic cool-down segment to reduce the heart rate, then a muscle-toning segment with weights to strengthen the hips, thighs, derriere, abdomen, upper torso and arms.

“The program is like a bell curve, with a final cool-down to return the heart rate to normal,” Wada said.

Vina Sanders of Los Altos is in her third week of Jazzercise. It’s a continuation from an exercise class at Del Webb. “I love this,” she said. “It makes me feel so good.”

Jazzercise is a fairly high impact activity.

To make the exercise enough of a workout, a great deal of impact is necessary even though there is no class advice. You watch and listen and pick up the movements to increase the quality of the workout, without anyone looking over your shoulder.

There is one thing missing. Jazzercise classes are coed, but very few men attend because they don’t feel comfortable joining in with the women.

When it’s time for the floor exercises, a Rod Stewart song is playing.

Members put on leg weights and use miniature dumbbells for certain exercises.

The final cool-down is danced to “Fly Like an Eagle” by Steve Miller.

“I hope everybody brought their own water bottle. Especially today,” Wada said.

“It’s necessary today and one cup’s not going to cut it. You gotta drink all day long.”

There are no contracts to sign with Jazzercise. You can start and stop any time.

An eight-week pass is $100; seniors receive a discount that amounts to more than 10 percent.

For more information about Jazzercise classes at Hillview Community Center, call 941-0950.

For information about classes in other areas, call Jazzercise at (408) 773-8660.