By Kiel Edge
A new city fitness program is teaching women there’s more to stripping than having to take it all off.
“Oozing Bravado,” a strip aerobics class at the McNabb Recreation Centre, combines sensual moves with traditional exercise and organizers say it’s a great confidence builder for participants.
While the class encourages sensuality, the focus of the strip aerobics program is to shed a participant’s inhibitions, not their clothing.
City officials say that despite the suggestive name, the program is nothing more than a fun and unique way to stay in shape.
“The name implies things and gets a lot of ideas running through your head, but it’s no different than any other program,” says Pray Bhindi, program co-ordinator at McNabb. “It’s a great way to get in shape. It’s a fun, dynamic class.”
Class instructor Isabela Cosme says the program adds a twist to the traditional aerobic workouts.
“It’s an aerobic workout with exotic dance moves added to the format,” says Cosme.
“It’s out of the routine, not just plain old aerobics,” says Marie Joseé Tremblay, a participant in the class. “It’s different and it makes you feel good about yourself.”
The unique program adopts themes and moves from a workout designed by American fitness company Crunch and was popularized by celebrities, including TV personality Carmen Electra.
In North America, the popularity of the program has grown in recent years. Its appearance at public facilities like McNabb suggests the workout has now been accepted by the mainstream.
Cosme, who has taught strip aerobics for several years, says her class is different from the original American workouts to make it more light-hearted and appealing to local women.
She says she wouldn’t agree to teach the class if she could not alter it to better suit her comfort level.
“I didn’t think anyone here would want to undress,” says Cosme, explaining that participants in the original programs often removed articles of their clothing. “My class is more of a self-esteem builder. I do it my way.”
So far, the response to the classes has been excellent. Both the fall and winter sessions are sold out and local women have added their names to waiting lists in hopes of getting into the trendy classes.
The demand for the course is no surprise to Tremblay who believes there’s a market for creative workout routines in the fitness industry.
“It’s nice to have something fresh and new,” says Tremblay. “There is a cross section of people in the Centretown area and this is something that appeals [to everyone].”
The positive response generated by the program has impressed city officials and other public gyms across the city have expressed interest in offering the program.
In order to help the participants relax, Cosme encourages role-playing in the class and frequently uses improvisation to add to the light-hearted nature of the workout.
Bouts of laughter are frequent in the class from both the participants and the instructor, as women socialize throughout the workout.
Cosme says the environment makes for a less intimidating atmosphere.
“It’s a lot of fun, that’s what keeps people coming back,” says Cosme.
“Isabela is an excellent teacher, she teaches you not to be shy,” says Tremblay.
“It’s a program that makes you more comfortable with your body that anyone can be a part of.”