Students participated in hula fitness, street dancing, waacking and choreography, zumba, and belly dancing classes for free as part of the Student Recreation and Wellness Center’s first Dancefest on Sept. 16.
Any student who could dance for 30 minutes to three hours received a raffle ticket for a chance to win a travel trainer package that included a medicine ball and pump, a yoga mat, a resistance band and an instructional workout CD. All participants received a free SRWC water bottle or reusable shopping bag.
The goal of Dancefest was to promote new dance instructional classes as well as cater to the interest in dance fitness at Cal State Long Beach, according to SRWC fitness coordinator Maureen Macrae.
“I thought if we did a preview of [the instructional dance classes], there would be more sign-ups,” Macrae said. “There’s such an interest in dance. Dance brings in a different crowd; they want a workout that’s not too hard. They want it to be fun.”
About 45 people — mostly women, both young and old — attended Dancefest. Many students felt both challenged and intrigued by the classes.
“It was really fun … It got my heart rate up more than I thought it would,” senior kinesiology major Lauren Alvarado said. “I want to do the hula fitness class now.”
Hula fitness instructor Melissa Sarreal said it seemed like students enjoyed Dancefest.
“There was a lot of energy; it was like a big party,” Sarreal said.
Macrae said Dancefest may return next year.
“If the interest is good, and I see a need and people are enjoying the events, then I will bring them back,” Macrae said.
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