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l-r: Andrea, Jill, Kerry, Nicola and Ella
Cheer
Cheerobics instructor Nicola Housden
yourself fit
Ella Walker grabs some pompoms and tries out a new fitness class for the New Year, Cheerobics – the latest fitness craze promising a washboard stomach
C
heerobics has been tearing up dance and fitness studios in London for a couple of years but now, for the very first time, Cambridge will be getting in on some of the high kicking fitness action too. The Park sports centre at Cambridge Regional College is now running Cheerobics sessions – and uniforms, you’ll be glad to hear, are not compulsory. Cheerobics combines aerobics, cheerleading and pompoms set to music so if you’re a fan of classes like Zumba and jazzercise then it will probably come quite naturally to you. But even if you’re not great at keeping to a beat, it doesn’t matter because one of the great things about the class is that you don’t have to be ridiculously perky, with swishy blonde hair and über-
flexible limbs. More about fat burning than lifts and flips, it’s not as glamorous or as extreme as real, all-star American cheerleading. Anyone can try it, just make sure to arm yourself with a bottle of water and a sense of humour, it is hilarious! Nicola Housden, bootcamp expert and CRC trainer, took us through our paces, starting with a warm up complete with the promised pompoms (whoop!). After some sidestepping and arm lifts she began layering up the moves into a whole routine that luckily wasn’t too complicated. A score of grapevines, jumping squats, victory punches and pompom shakes later, it was surprisingly tough. Nicola kept us motivated though with lots of “good
stuff guys” and “keep smiling for mes” so before long we had stopped whirling through the moves and were onto a range of ab exercises and stretches. Phew. Cheerobics definitely sticks to its mantra: “AEROBICS + POMPOMS = FAT BURNING FUN!” and I really did feel trimmer the next day. My cheerleader flat tummy might be a few more classes away though… But still, it’s fun, upbeat and it’s impossible to not get a sweat on: what’s not to whoop about?! Cheerobics classes are every Thursday lunchtime from 1212.30pm and cost £2. Places must be booked in advance – call The Park on (01223) 418280 to guarantee your spot.
CB Magazine 01/2012
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