Dancing in the dark

ZUMBA fans are in the dark when it comes to exercising at Oldham Academy North.

Instructor Sharon Oakley, from Royton, has turned her weekly zumba class into a girls night out.

Participants, who are encouraged to use glo sticks and wear tutus, complete the class in the dark with disco lights creating a nightclub atmosphere.

Sharon, who runs classes on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Broadway school, said: “I realised that exercise is most effective when its fun so I decided to make the sessions seem more like a night club than a class.

“Everyone knows that exercise can be a bit of a chore but Zumba is great fun and once people get into the rhythm they are hooked.

“I often see people who feel a bit self conscious exercising in front of others. Having a dark room and a party atmosphere really helps to put people at their ease.”

Sharon was the first local business to rent space at the Oldham Academy North when it opened and also runs Zumba Kids classes twice a week for four to 13-year-olds.

For more information on the classes, call Sharon on 07707 265049.
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