It is that time of the week again. Auburn’s Max Fitness is packed with women ready to shake, move and dance away calories. Scarlett Brockwell is a Zumba instructor at Max Fitness who loves her job and keeps those who take her class motivated and energized. She arrives, and the class gets moving.

Zumba is the aerobic dance fitness craze that is sweeping the nation. It consists of several songs complied into an hour-long playlist with specific routines paired with each song. The routines are derived from Latin dances such as the salsa, merengue, cumbia and more. The types of music used in Zumba vary from hip-hop to reggaeton to Latino.

Zumba’s motto is, “ditch the workout, join the party”, and that is exactly what Auburn women are doing. In just one Zumba class, you can burn hundreds of calories and have fun while doing it. If you were to spend the same amount of time walking on a treadmill, you would burn significantly less calories. Not to mention, you would most likely be bored.

“This is the first time I’ve found a workout class that I really enjoy,” said Brockwell. “They’ve finally figured out how to get people in the gym because everyone likes to dance, dance is freedom.”

Every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon, the group fitness room at Max Fitness is always packed with women ready for Zumba. Many even come 20-30 minutes early to get a good spot.

The class starts off with a warm-up song, something slow to wake up your muscles. After this, you really start sweating and the calories just burn away. Mixed in with this intense cardio workout, Brockwell usually includes one or two toning songs. These toning songs work on toning the leg and gluteal muscles, abdominals and arms.

Brockwell’s class is high-intensity, but she always takes the time to give a lower-impact option for those who need it. She encourages beginners by telling them not to get frustrated and to give Zumba at least four tries before deciding you do not like it.

“I think people get uplifted, and they feel encouraged, and they feel strength,” said Brockwell. “They feel like they can come to class and feel motivated and inspired to work out.”

After each class, Brockwell leaves her Zumba participants with words of wisdom or inspiration. The women leave feeling great physically and mentally.

Zumba is taught by Brockwell at Max Fitness on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. and on Fridays at 9:15 a.m. On Saturdays, Brockwell and another instructor, Taconya Goar, teach together at 10:15 a.m. Goar also teaches on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m. Zumba classes are available at other fitness centers in Auburn, including the student activities center.