It's not just fitness ... it's fun.

Photo By Staff Sgt. Richard Colletta | Sgt. 1st Class Lashonda Hopkins, center, the noncommissioned officer in charge of operational contract support with the 1st Sustainment Command (Theater) leads a Zumba class, Nov. 17, at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. Zumba is a dance fitness program originally developed in the mid-1990s that combines aerobics and a wide variety of musical and dance styles. According to Hopkins, it's a total body workout. "That's the reason why a lot of times when you see people leaving Zumba, they're drenched," said Hopkins. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Richard Colletta/Released)  

CAMP ARIFJAN, KUWAIT

11.18.2014

Story by Staff Sgt. Richard Colletta 

1st Theater Sustainment Command

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – It’s 4 in the morning. The sun hasn’t even risen yet at Camp Arifjan and service members and civilians are doing something a little strange … dancing.

“It’s fitness structured to music,” according to Sgt. 1st Class Craig Schofield, an operations sergeant with the 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) who has been instructing Zumba classes for nearly a year.

Zumba is a dance fitness program originally developed in the mid-1990s that combines aerobics and a wide variety of musical and dance styles.

“I just tried it out one day, and I fell in love with it,” said Schofield.

Sgt. 1st Class Lashonda Hopkins, the noncommissioned officer in charge of operational contract support with the 1st Sustainment Command (Theater) also instructs Zumba classes alongside Schofield and said she was motivated to get into better shape during her deployment and Zumba helped her do it. She said it was part of a life style change that helped her lose over 25 pounds.

“Zumba definitely incorporates your entire body. You’re working your arms, you’re working your abs, you’re working your thighs, you’re working your calves, you’re working your entire body. That’s the reason why a lot of times when you see people leaving Zumba, they’re drenched,” said Hopkins.

Cpt. Wanda Henderson, the deputy surgeon with the 1st TSC who attends the Zumba classes says the music and her fellow Soldiers are what motivates her to get up early in the morning and move.

“We make it fun,” she said.

Henderson said that anyone apprehensive about it because of the dancing and the moves should simply give it a try.

“The music pumps you up, we pump each other up and after a while the moves become easy. I’m the last to learn all the moves so I should know,” Henderson chuckled.

Schofield emphasized that Zumba isn’t gender specific nor is it impact specific, meaning the dance moves can be tailored to an individual’s personal physical limitations. He says he sees the benefit in it, not just for himself but for other Soldiers as well.

“They’re looking for something different to do other than your typical exercise routine, running or lifting weights. It’s not just fitness. It’s fun,” he said.

Schofield says class sizes average between 12 and 20 and are made up of both service members of all ranks as well as civilians. Both Schofield and Hopkins said they plan to continue instructing Zumba classes when they redeploy.

• Date Taken: 11.18.2014
• Date Posted: 11.19.2014 10:22
• Story ID: 148243
• Location: CAMP ARIFJAN, KW