Jazzercise News Releases

Hip, New Workouts Bring Moms and Daughters to the Dance Floor

Mothers Take Time to Instill Healthy Habits in High-Risk Teens

CARLSBAD, Calif. (May 4, 2004) — Sounds of Beyoncé and OutKast blare from the stereo speakers as 17-year-old Krystal and 51-year-old Lucille dance in unison to the leadership of the instructor at the front of the room. In the 10 years the mother-daughter pair have been sharing the same workout at the Jazzercise Fitness Center in Oceanside, Calif., the two say they have found more than just an exercise routine.

“This is one of the few activities that we both equally love,” says Lucille Henry, who started Jazzercising more than 25 years ago. “As Krystal gets older and is developing interests of her own, we’re finding it harder to spend time together. But we still share our workouts and come to class together whenever we can. We’re able to spur each other on and stay motivated.”

Compared to the general population, the Henrys are the exception, not the rule. Rising obesity levels among children of all ages indicate few young Americans are getting the exercise they need to stay healthy. For teens, a group the Centers for Disease Control ranks the highest among youth inactivity rates, there stands an even greater risk. CDC statistics indicate nearly 50 percent of kids between 12 and 21 don’t regularly participate in vigorous physical activity, and participation in all types of physical activity declines strikingly as age or grade in school increases.

Challenging Teens

Though more parents are beginning to recognize the danger of the situation, according to Judi Sheppard Missett, Jazzercise founder and CEO, many find they are at a loss for specific methods to address the problem. Motivating teens who view exercise as a chore and are often concerned with maintaining a particular image poses a tremendous challenge. The trick, according to Missett, lies in setting a good example and finding an activity they love.

“Modeling healthy behavior is one of the best ways to instill healthy habits in teens, but you also have to make it fun,” Missett says. “My daughter, Shanna, grew up with Jazzercise, opening her up to learn to love dance and exercise. It allowed us to connect and let loose, and also taught her that exercise doesn’t have to be unpleasant.”

Working in the Workout

With today’s variety of hip, new fitness formats, it’s now easier than ever to find an exercise regimen that offers benefits to both moms and daughters, according to Missett. Many of the new fusion formats that offer combinations of hip-hop, yoga, strength training and Pilates provide well-rounded, safe options that stay on the cutting edge of fitness.

At Jazzercise, funky moves and new music added to the fusion elements give teen girls an edgy workout they’re not embarrassed to be seen doing, and it keeps moms up on the latest dance moves. Missett says she’s noticed her own classes gather women of all fitness levels, giving both moms and daughters a supportive, comfortable environment that allows them to take time out for themselves and each other.

But if you were to ask the Henrys, they’d say the biggest benefit is the quality time that they get to spend together and the common interest they share.

“I like that my mom and I have something special just the two of us can share,” says Krystal, who now attends Jazzercise class with her mom three times a week. “It’s taught me a lot about taking care of myself and the people I love. Plus, it’s a lot of fun.”

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Jazzercise, created by Judi Sheppard Missett, is the world's leading dance-fitness program with more than 6,800 instructors teaching 30,000 classes weekly in the U.S. and around the globe. Since 1969, millions of people of all ages and fitness levels have reaped the benefits of this comprehensive program, designed to enhance cardiovascular endurance, strength, and flexibility. For more information, go to jazzercise.com or call (800)FIT-IS-IT.