By Andrew DeLong, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Sunday, November 15, 2009
Gemma Hughes leads an Aqua Zumba class Monday at the St. Pete Beach Community Center. The fitness program offers the fun and benefits of Zumba in a water setting.
Gemma Hughes offers this gem of wisdom about exercise: "You don't get anywhere standing still."
And if you give her an hour of your time, she'll have you sold on Aqua Zumba, a highly rhythmic form of water aerobics and a way to incorporate a fitness regimen without going to the gym.
"It's about letting go and having fun and learning to enjoy fitness rather than dread it," she said.
You might recognize Zumba, a popular fitness class that is all about movement, dancing and feeling the rhythm of the pulsating sounds of world music. Add water and you have Aqua Zumba.
"Aqua Zumba combines the fun and passion of Zumba with the science and buoyancy of aqua," said Hughes, who teaches the one-hour classes on Mondays at St. Pete Beach Community Center Pool and on Tuesdays and Thursdays at North Shore Aquatic Complex. Both pools are heated year-round.
When you are in the water, you are hidden and therefore free to wiggle, she said. You can shake and move without feeling self-conscious.
"But don't be fooled, this is not your grandmother's aqua class. The moves are intense; we're moving our bodies for 60 minutes against the resistance of water. The movements are challenging and you can really feel the muscles working against the resistance," she added.
Merengue, Cumbia, and Reggaeton are a few of the dance rhythms that are incorporated into the class. Exercise movements include hamstring curls, Zumba shuffle, kicking, twisting and clapping.
"The beautiful thing about my Zumba classes is that I invite you to make the movements your own, 'you do you.' It matters that you move, not how you move. This way everyone feels good in my classes, all ages, all abilities, all fitness levels," said Hughes.
Hughes cites a long list of potential health benefits to Aqua Zumba. Among them are decreased working heart rate compared to similar intensity on land; increased heart rate recovery due to the effects of water; increased lung capacity and increased bone density.
Hughes, who owns Fitness by Gemma, is an exercise physiologist, personal trainer, master trainer and group fitness instructor. She has been teaching Zumba classes since 2006 and began teaching the aqua version in October. She is one of the first Zumba instructors to offer this class in the Tampa Bay area, she said.
"Come and try it — your first class is free so you have nothing to lose."
15Today
Discover Egmont Key: Shuttle boats leave the park to Egmont Key taking passengers to enjoy re-enactors, pirate games, interpretive sites on the island's wildlife, military involvement, history and nature. Also, explore the 151 year old lighthouse. Food, water and souvenirs available for purchase. Benefits the Egmont Key Alliance. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fort De Soto Park, 3500 Pinellas Bayway S, Tierra Verde. $15; 11 and younger free. Call (727) 481-8230 or visit egmontkey.info for ticket and shuttle information.
Man of La Mancha: based on Cervantes' Don Quixote, this poignant story of a dying old man whose mind has been taken over by an impossible dream, is staged by the Salerno Theatre Company. 3 p.m. Pinellas Park Performing Arts Center, 4951 78th Ave. N, Pinellas Park. $25, $22 seniors. Call 1-877-275-7050 or visit salernotheatre.com.
Ribfest: Some of the best rib cookers around the world gather for this celebration featuring barbecued food, music by national touring artists, BMX action stunt shows, classic and custom car show and kids activities. Gates open at 11 a.m. Vinoy Park, Fifth Avenue NE and North Shore Drive, St. Petersburg. $10 advance, $15 at gate, 12 and under free with paid adult. Call (727) 528-3828 or visit ribfest.org.
Ukrainian Autumnfest: Annual celebration features homemade Ukrainian food, crafts, games for kids, performances by Kalyna Ukrainian folk dancers and music by Cathy's Lorelei Band, beer and more. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Epiphany of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church, 434 90th Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Price: $2, 11 and younger free. Call (727) 576-1001.
Vintage Motor Classic: The St. Petersburg Yacht Club's show of 1979 or older vintage cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats and more with music, food, drinks and prizes. Benefits Shriners Hospitals for Children. St. Petersburg Yacht Club, 11 Central Ave. St. Petersburg. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free. Call (727) 580-1804.
Wag-A-Tail Southeastern Guide Dog Benefit at the Sunday Market: Southeastern Guide Dogs puppies in training use their most creative tail wagging to create original art work. Choose which puppy artist you would like to see "paint" your work of art. All proceeds benefit Southeastern Guide Dogs. Meet and greet the volunteer puppy raisers from Pinellas County and their puppies of various ages. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Yachting Gourmet, 371 Corey Ave., St. Pete Beach. Free admission to market, $5 donation for paintings. Call (727) 360-2665.
16 Monday
On My Block: Word and Image Elementary School Exhibition Part 1: Pinellas County elementary school students were challenged to create a work of art that answers the question: "What's on your block, down your street, or in another country, that makes up who you are?" Continues through Dec. 31. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Morean Arts Center, 719 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Call (727) 822-7872 or visit theartscenter.org.
17 Tuesday
Founders of Florida Audubon: St. Petersburg Audubon Society meets with a program on the founders of Audubon in Florida. 7 p.m. Science Center of Pinellas County, 7701 22nd Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Free. Call (727) 894-2062.
Holiday Boutique: Annual holiday event offers unique gifts by more than 250 Florida fine craft artists. Continues through Dec. 13. 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Florida Craftsmen Galleries, 501 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Free admission. Call (727) 821-7391.
Memory Screenings: A free, confidential screening to detect memory or Alzheimer's related problems. This event is party of National Memory Screening Day. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Comprehensive Clinical Research, 11201 Corporate Circle N, Suite 200, St. Petersburg. Free. Call (727) 576-8474.
18 Wednesday
God The Potter: New works celebrating the relationship of art and religion. Featured are works of soda fired functional pottery by Bonnie Duncan Bravo, proceeds go to 6:8 Ministries; one of a kind clay crosses by Elizabeth Bunbury, proceeds go to help women and children in crisis. Also, functional pottery and large scale sculpture fired with salt, soda and wood techniques by Sean Manning. This event also benefits Metropolitan Ministries and local food banks. Guests are encouraged to bring canned goods to donate. Exhibit continues through Nov. 21. Free admission. St. Petersburg Clay Company, 420 22nd St. S, St. Petersburg. Call (727) 896-2529.
Heartsmart Shopping Tour: Confused about what foods to choose for a healthy lifestyle? Take a guided tour with registered dietitians from St. Anthony's LifeHelp program, learn how to decipher nutrition labels and make smarter food choices. 2 to 4 p.m. Sweetbay Supermarket, 3327 Ninth St. N, St. Petersburg. $10, limited space, registration required. Call (727) 825-1111.
IF YOU GO
Two places to Aqua Zumba
Mondays at 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at St. Pete Beach Community Center Pool, 7701 Boca Ciega Drive, St. Pete Beach. Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at North Shore Aquatic Complex, 901 N Shore Drive NE, St. Petersburg.
Cost: $6 a class at the St. Pete Beach Community Center, $7 at North Shore.
Information: Call Gemma Hughes, (727) 437-8004, or go to fitnessbygemma.com.
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