CULLMAN, Ala. – Every Tuesday and Thursday night, Kelsey Wooten gears up, grabs her sneakers and heads to southwest Cullman’s Art Park for her Dance2Fit outdoor classes.
Teaching a dance fitness class wasn’t Wooten’s plan for her future; in fact, she was attending classes at a local gym when she was asked to be a substitute instructor, fell in love with the Dance2Fit program, and became a full-time instructor.
After teaching classes at her local gym, Wooten branched out and started offering her classes outside the gym, in a private studio setting. When the COVID-19 pandemic caused two of Wooten’s studios to close, she took a more natural approach. Still wanting to continue her classes, but knowing some may not be comfortable indoors in close proximity to others, she said, “I decided to offer it outdoors so everyone felt comfortable distancing if they wanted to. It just feels great being outside having fun!”
Dance2Fit at Art Park has been a staple in Wooten’s life since she started offering the program at the local park earlier this year; before that, it was “a girl in her front yard.”
“I’ve been doing outdoor classes for almost two years, but started this year at the Art Park,” she said. “Before that, I was doing it in my front yard. With doing it at the Art Park, I just ask that people donate $5 if they can. Some donate more and some can’t at all, which is fine!”
Wooten described the Dance2Fit program, saying, “It is similar to Zumba in a dance fitness point of view, but it’s different. It’s called Dance2Fit. It’s hip hop/pop music that we dance to and add fitness with it. For example, we have songs where we are popping (crunches) and squats, but also dance, too.”
Inclusivity for age and activity levels is something Wooten always has an eye on as well.
“It is for any fitness level and any age!” she said. “I use edited music as much as possible, and I provide modifications for those that need it.”
Wooten and her Dance2Fit class meet every Tuesday and Thursday at 5:45 p.m. at Art Park, located at 1031 Second St. SW.
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