Jessica Davi and Carol Resmini and Fran Cooley and Sharon Davi and Donna Pappas work it out during a recent Jazzercise class.

Photo and story by Samantha Bridgman

“Let’s find the beat!” shouts Lucille Lee during Monday morning Jazzercise class. The combination of a pulsing bass line and Lee’s upbeat attitude gets the ladies into the aerobic portion of the class. Cues from the microphoned Lee guide them through a rousing workout set to hit songs you’d expect to find on a Top 40 radio station.

    “Exercise doesn’t have to be boring!” is Sandy Hughes’ tagline. Hughes and Lee are certified Jazzercise instructors. Earlier this year they renovated the clothing shop at 65 Massachusetts Avenue into what is now an open, bright workout area and home of Jazzercise Lunenburg Fitness Center. The space has multiple fans for circulation and a stage that allows clear sightlines to the instructor from the workout floor. There is a changing area complete with extra socks and tees in case any were forgotten at home. And there is juice and water always on hand.

    Lee and Hughes, from Harvard and Boxborough respectively, have always been keen on exercise. After taking a Jazzercise class on a whim, they each became hooked on this rapidly growing dance-fitness program, and have been teaching Jazzercise classes for a combined 8 years.

    Hour-long classes are focused on getting a good workout safely, and follow a model that starts with a warm up period, then aerobic routines and routines aimed at strengthening and toning upper body, abs, and legs using hand weights, exercise bands, and stability balls. They finish up with a cool down routine to ease heart rate and work on flexibility.

    “It’s great because everything can be modified to personalize the routines for each person” said Lee.

    Each routine has a no impact, low impact, and impact version, offering adaptable workouts for people with different abilities.

    “The thought process is, what can my class handle? The variety of routines and fresh music allows me to tailor the class to my member’s needs,” says Hughes.

    Hughes and Lee have planted the seeds for a new offshoot of a nationwide franchise and help it grow by creating a comfortable, attentive atmosphere where members are known by name and are treated like old friends.

    “I started classes [in Lunenburg] in the spring. I’d taken classes before but I couldn’t always drive out to [the nearest one] in Acton. I love it here because I can coordinate [classes] with my family’s busy schedule. It’s a nice facility and a great group of people,” said Jazzercise member Fran Cooley.

    As out-of-towners, Hughes and Lee only knew a handful of people when Jazzercise opened in Lunenburg in January of this year. But in a short seven months, they feel they have forged many strong relationships among the townspeople.

    “I absolutely love Jazzercise! I have four kids and I love coming to class and leaving all the stress behind,” said Jazzercise member Carol Resmini.

    Besides Hughes and Lee, there are five outside instructors that lead classes at the Lunenburg Jazzercise seven days a week. With more than 25 new routines a year, and different impact versions of each routine, there is literally something for everyone. “Jazz it Off”, a weight loss program that is tracked by confidential weekly weigh-ins and measurements, starts after Labor Day. The previous group of nine who participated in the program lost a total 74.8 pounds ad 73 inches.

    New members are welcome to sign up at any time. A monthly fee allows you to take unlimited classes during the month. Hughes and Lee are so sure that you will become a fellow Jazzercise Junkie that they offer a week free of classes before you pay any membership fees. Town employees receive a $5 discount on membership.

    A juniors’ jazzercise is in the works for ages 6-13 that would include Jazzercise routines and games plus health and safety tips. “Express” class is back on Tuesday and Thursday 6 a.m. and Friday 5:30 p.m.