Lights out, a disco ball, balloons and a long line of healthy snacks and refreshments set the perfect mood for BODYWORKS’ Zumba Party Thursday evening.

“Tonight, we are doing an hour of Zumba dancing,” said Dewana Waters, coordinator of the BODYWORKS aerobics program.

“Then we’re going to have snacks and refreshments afterwards — all healthy stuff, of course.”

Waters said the purpose for the free Zumba party was primarily to introduce more people to the class and recruit new members.

“We usually have about 14 people, and we have more than double that tonight,” she said.

“I have been coming since the very first Zumba class,” Judi Hicks, a Mabscott Elementary teacher, said.

“It’s a good aerobic workout and the music is a lot of fun. I sweat and I know I’m working hard, but I don’t mind because it’s just like playing a sport. You’re having a good time.”

According to Waters, Zumba burns about 800 calories in one hour.

“It’s a great cardiovascular burn,” she said. “It’s fun, without feeling like you’re killing yourself to work out.”

“An hour goes by before you know it,” Waters added. “You’ve burned 800 calories, and you’ve just had fun.”

Four instructors used a relay method to teach Thursday’s class.

“The class is 85 to 90 percent Brazilian/Latin dance,” Zumba instructor Sarah Abrams said.

“Sometimes we mix it up, but it’s great because you can put beginners, intermediate and advanced people in the same class and each person can break it down and make it their own. It’s the quickest 45 minutes you could ever do in your entire life. It’s all dance, you feel like you’re at a party and it’s great fun.”

“I’m not certified in Zumba,” Melissa Gray, another BODYWORKS instructor, added, “but I love to come in and take the class.”

“I think that Zumba is something that’s not too challenging and everyone can do it at their own pace. If you just get the beat of the music and find your own groove, you’ll have a lot of fun and get a fitness workout all at the same time.”

Zumba targets the glutes, legs, arms, core abdominals and the heart. Each person was required to complete a health form before the start of class.

“We’re a health facility here,” Waters explained, “so we have to make sure everyone’s healthy first.”

One BODYWORKS member, Mike Mertz, said he was surprised by how much he enjoyed the class.

“I’m usually a yoga man,” he said. “But this was a very good workout.

“I feel a little out of place with all these women,” he added, smiling, “but I think I’ll try it again. It’s a lot of physical exertion and a great cardio exercise.”

Zumba at BODYWORKS is offered three times a week, at 5:30 p.m. Monday, 4:30 p.m. Wednesday and 9:30 a.m. Saturday.

For more information, visit www.bodyworkshfr.com or www.zumba.com.

— E-mail: cclark@register-herald.com