What is REFIT®? You might have seen pictures on facebook from this past weekend when 5 of us went to Waco, TX for an instructor training session for REFIT®. I wanted to give you a report of what we learned and how it will affect future fitness classes at FBC. REFIT® is (according to their website, refitrev): The REFIT® Program is a revolutionary cardio dance program that engages the whole person – body, mind and soul – through simple steps, exhilarating rhythms and a community-driven mission. We’re more than just healthy moves. We’re a positive movement inspired by faith and powered by community! (for more, click here: refitrev/about/) To me, the REFIT® program is very similar to Zumba, so dont worry that what we are doing in our classes will change a whole lot. Weve been using many of their routines already (Funky Jesus Music, Shackles, Move, Good Morning, Shake, Boomin, etc). The creators of REFIT® started out as Zumba instructors and then decided to create their own business, which is modeled very closely to Zumba. They mostly use Christian and Top 40/Radio music and very little Latin. I, personally, love the Latin rhythms and I find them very exhilarating to dance to. So that part is not going away (at least when Im teaching). I love the salsa, cumbia, reggaeton, merengue, etc. So anyways, heres my take on what is similar and what is different. HOW IS REFIT® SIMILAR TO ZUMBA? - Both REFIT® and ZUMBA are dance fitness exercise - Both formats incorporate easy to follow routines that even beginners can do with options to take it up a level for those in better shape - Both formats are an hour long class with repetitive movements - Exhilarating energy, body-rockin’ music and heart-pumping cardio - Mixing low, medium and high-intensity moves for an interval-style, calorie-burning dance fitness class - A total workout, combining all elements of fitness – cardio, muscle conditioning, balance and flexibility, and boosted energy HOW IS REFIT® DIFFERENT THAN ZUMBA? - REFIT® is a faith-based program. They incorporate prayer at the end of the classes (which is one change - we are going to move prayer time to the END of class, which is a better IMO, because by then everyone has arrived and no one has to awkwardly move into the hand-holding prayer circle if they arrive a few minutes late). - REFIT® strives to be an outreach program - providing a fun and welcoming exercise class to anyone, Christian or not, church-goer or not. Their concept is to welcome and love on anyone that participates. This is also why they incorporate secular/top 40 music in their classes, so that people who are unfamiliar with Christian music also feel comfortable and enjoy the classes. No one wants to spend an hour dancing to music theyve never heard before, right? - REFIT® does not use much Latin music (at least in the classes we attended), but they do allow any kind of music the instructors want, as long as it is PG rated and it must be energetic and fun! - REFIT® doesnt use R rated music. We work hard to provide value-infused music in our classes. We want everyone from grandmas to teenyboppers to be engaged with the music, not offended by it.. All of us instructors at FBC have tried very hard to discern between appropriate and non-appropriate songs. By incorporating the principles and values of the REFIT program, we will be even more selective than ever with our music. - ZUMBA has a reputation for being somewhat of a sensual type of exercise. REFITs routines do not accentuate sensual movements, but that doesnt mean they dont use their hips or shimmy. - REFIT® encourages all participants to dress conservatively. We love our peeps, and we love seeing their face – just not all their bits and pieces! You’ll find normal people wearing normal clothes. Here are comments from Suzanne Embree, one of our instructors who is also now a licensed REFIT® instructor: REFIT® is a fitness program that utilizes uplifting music and movement. Superficially it looks much like Zumba, but the difference is the underlying intent of the program. The purpose of REFIT is to love people as they are and help them to become the best they can be both physically and spiritually. It is all about building relationships and a sense of community among women through dance fitness. So how does all of this affect you? Not much really. The Zumba classes that have been going on at FBC are basically following the same format and concept as REFITs. Our beliefs and desires for bringing people together for health, fitness, and community are all one and the same. For now, the only change is moving the prayer time to the END of class, instead of at the beginning. The good news is that us instructors now have access to many more great routines from the REFIT® group, that we are excited about teaching you. But dont worry! There wont be a ton of new routines all at once. We will bring them to you gradually and will keep our current playlists, that you know and love. If youve read down this far, BLESS YOU! Please feel free to leave any comments you may have. Cara Crites Zachry, and Suzanne Hickman Thomas, feel free to add your comments here as well.
Posted on: Mon, 29 Sep 2014 22:28:05 +0000
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