Exercising definitely has its benefits. The feeling after a great workout is rewarding knowing you have accomplished something and are on the path to a healthier lifestyle.

But working out is not always the easiest or most pleasant activity. It can be rigorous and exhausting – sometimes just the thought of having to get up can be discouraging.

Zumba is the answer.

The Well hosted their second Zumba Glow Party last Wenesday in the Union attracting students and motivating them to get on their feet and move to the rhythm of the music.

Zumba is a dance fitness program that incorporates aerobics and dance, to fast and slow music, that fires participants up without making them break a sweat.

It fuses hip-hop, salsa, merengue, cumbia, soca and a few others to create a dance set that burns calories, tones the body and improves coordination.

Sac State sociology student Divya Golconda has been doing Zumba at the Well for four years and is a dancer found something special about the cardio workout.

“I used to hate exercise, but there is something great about zumba and dance,” she said.

Golconda’s friend and women’s studies student Erica Reyes also felt the same way.

“I didn’t like exercising before, but (zumba) was a way to be with friends and exercise,” Reyes said.

Although the Well offers many activities for students, some say that they do not have the time for it all.

Communications major Karah Butac said that she participates in intramural sports at the Well, but has always wanted to try the zumba classes.

“I always heard that zumba was really fun and I love glow in the dark so it was a win-win,” Butac said.

The event drew nearly 100 people.

Business major Linda Ha said that Butac dragged her to the Zumba Glow Party, but had a lot of fun and thought that the atmosphere was upbeat.

“It was hard to see the (instructor) but it was great,” Ha said. “(Participants) did make it fun and I was copying the people in front of me.”

The Well offers several zumba classes at different times during the week for students. On Mondays zumba class is from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:15 p.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesdays 12:15 p.m. to 1 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday 12:15 p.m. to 1 p.m.

“This is a great opportunity for people to come together (and) build a sense of community to get fit together,” said the Well’s group fitness coordinator, Kendra Densmore, who was in charge of the event. “Zumba is wonderful because it is Latin dance, but it’s an opportunity for people to exercise together and do something healthy.”

Wendy Aguilar can be reached at [email protected]