Anytime Fitness raises money for heart health

Anytime Fitness hopes to make a difference for heart health in February.

The Anytime Fitness on Corporate Lane in Suffolk held a Zumbathon Friday night to raise money for the American Heart Association.

“Heart disease affects one in three Americans,” said Connie Womack, fitness instructor and personal trainer at Anytime Fitness.

Womack said that the work that the American Heart Association does is important because it affects so many people, especially women. Because of her concern for heart health, Womack contacted the American Heart Association to set up this event that raised money for the American Heart Association while also making patrons more aware of their need for heart health.

Anytime Fitness will donate at least 75 percent of the proceeds from ticket sales and AHA merchandise to the American Heart Association.

The American Heart Association raises money for research into heart disease and publicizes strategies to keep your heart healthy.

The price of admission was $10, but some people donated more to the cause, Womack said.

“I came out to support the American Heart Association,” said Corinne Bristow, gym patron. “It’s good for women to come out and exercise as well as raise money for the association.”

During the Zumbathon, three instructors took turns leading the two and a half hour session. Participants could Zumba as little or as much as they wanted during the two and a half hours.

Zumba is a favorite group exercise offered at many of the Suffolk area gyms. It incorporates Latin dance moves and music into a fast-paced, high-energy cardio routine. It works several muscle groups, and according to many local Zumba instructors you can burn more calories with Zumba than any other group exercise.

“It’s addicting,” said Kim Yost, fitness instructor. “It’s so much fun, and you don’t want it to end.”

“It’s a great cardio exercise, and it’s great fun,” Womack said. “It is where people can go to let loose and let their guard down.”

Womack hopes to be able to hold more special events in the future to raise money for special causes like American Heart Association research.

“I would love to be able to do this more.”