Puerto Rican Pop Sensation Ricky Martin has got everyone “Livin’ La Vida Loca”. 
At this year’s World IDEA convention, instructors from around the world got a taste of the “Latin Groove”.

Swaying hips, big smiles and aerobic moves with an attitude, a “Latin” attitude, that is, are definitely “in” this year.

IDEA Co-founder Kathy Davis says these Latin-based classes were all the rage this year, with aerobic instructors lining up to learn how to do it “Latin-style”.

Kathy Davis:
“The Latin dance craze is happening. People are signing up for classes like you can’t believe. We just can’t get enough instructors to, you know, to teach the classes.”

The fitness industry is responding to needs of the fitness consumer, which right now  include an increased demand for these types of classes.

Argentine-born Irene Rubinsky has been teaching “Latin-flavored” aerobic classes for six years.

Irene Rubinsky:
It’s very sexy, it’s very sensual, it’s fun. It liberates a whole part of your body you’ve been structured to not move. So it’s very liberating.”  “I’m helping people to let go. And to begin to feel their bodies and begin to shake them and feel the music in a passionate way.”

And Irene says all this liberating “hip-grinding” and “booty-shaking” isn’t just for the young, or the skinny—all shapes, sizes, and ages are welcome. For Fitness Magazine, I’m Bonnie Kaye.