Members of the Fort Worth community had the opportunity to participate in a Zumba class at the Southwest Regional Library on Saturday, Oct. 22.
The class lasted an hour and the participants did a variety of dances, including the “Wobble.”
Cara Wunstow, the substitute Zumba instructor, taught the steps for each dance before playing the song.
Wunstow said she was surprised to find out the class was taking place at a library.
“I didn’t know,” Wunstow said. “I was looking for a gym, and it was right in this room.”
Jessica Wilson, the programming librarian, said the traditional role of libraries is expanding to more of a community center place.
“People can come take classes for free,” Wilson said. “All of our classes are free. You don’t have to have a library card. The city is really involved with health and fitness, and we are trying to emphasize that.”
Wilson said on average six people attend each class at the Southwest Regional Library.
Doris Garrett was one of the people who attended the class. It wasn’t her first time; she said she had been at least three times before, and really enjoyed her experience.
“It’s very beneficial,” Garrett said. “The library is a quiet place, and I didn’t know how it would work. I have enjoyed coming.”
Wunstow said Zumba is an exciting and different workout because it works for all levels, and it’s fun.
“The more you put into it, the more you get out of it,” she said. “People are intimidated about going to the gym, so if you do something fun, you will probably stick with it.”
When choosing the dances and moves for the routines, Wunstow said she looks for current, upbeat songs.
“I like for people to be able to move their waist cause it’s really good,” she said. “I like fun, I like upbeat. I look to see who is in the crowd first before we go too high intense.”
The class was offered five times this fall, and Saturday’s class was the last one for the 2016 year.
Information for the next Zumba class can soon be found in the Spring 2017 Fort Worth Library catalog, their Facebook page or the Southwest Regional Library online calendar.