The Fitness Center offers several different aerobic fitness classes every week. Most of them are exercises that supplement a normal workout routine, like pilates or cycling. But there is one class that can really get students jumpin’. 

Every Tuesday and Thursday at 9 p.m. in Hart 234, students can come and learn a hip hop dance routine. 

The instructor, Kaitlyn Hansen, a senior studying recreation management, started out teaching step aerobics. 

“I’ve been dancing my whole life,” Hansen said. 

Hansen started the hip hop class in 2007 with her brother. 

“It was really popular and we actually performed outside the Hart at dance parties,” Hansen said.

So how can hip hop dancing supplement the average work out? 

“It works different muscles that maybe you don’t normally work,” Hansen said. “Hip hop also increases your coordination. The more you come, the better you are.” 

The class is structured differently from other workouts. Instead of repeating exercises, students actually learn a dance. 

“You go over routines again and again, and you definitely break a sweat,” Hansen said.  

Hip hop is also different from the other classes simply because it is dancing. 

“It allows you to feel your body in a creative way where other aerobics classes don’t,” Hansen said.

Hansen has a passion for dancing
and teaching. 

“I’m grateful for the Hart in that they allow us to do stuff like this on campus,” she said. “It’s fun.”