JitterBlast: New/Old twist on Fitness

Posted on 12 September, 2015

We love a new fitness craze.

Especially a new fitness craze that requires no experience, existing ability or level of fitness – not to mention no dance partner required. Safe to say, we’re pretty excited about JitterBlast launching this weekend in Canberra.

Presented by Jumptown Swing, a not for profit group in Canberra that organises swing dance classes and events, JitterBlast is the next big thing in fitness classes and it promises to be inclusive, fun, high energy and give you a whole body workout.

We caught up with Canberra fitness instructor Amanda Kwong, who along with fellow instructor Ricky Lloyd recently completed her training in Melbourne with Nick Williams, creator of JitterBlast and World Lindy Hop Champion, to find out more.

Ashleigh: Can you tell a bit about your experience as both a dancer and instructor?

Amanda: I started dancing ballet at the age of seven and since then, I have never stopped dancing! I’ve moved through tap, jazz, aerobics, modern ballroom and latin styles. I finally discovered swing dancing through Jumptown Swing when I moved to Canberra…they got me hooked and I don’t think I’ll ever stop swing dancing. I’ve only started teaching this year. Even though I’m fairly new, as a child development physiotherapist, I find that I’ve had a knack of breaking down movement for some time. For me, being able to teach swing is another opportunity to build the swing dancing community. Instructing JitterBlast classes brings two of my favourite pasttimes together, dance and fitness. Dancing can be an intimidating concept for some people, so I aim to dispel this by creating a fun, welcoming and relaxed environment. This new program will allow people to learn a foundation of technique in swing and jazz without even knowing it.

What drew you to JitterBlast?

Liam Honer, President of Jumptown Swing, first introduced me to the concept of JitterBlast. I’d never heard of it, but after discovering the link that is made between fitness and dance, I couldn’t let this opportunity slide. I’m already a bit of a fitness fanatic and I think it’s a great way to introduce new people to swing dancing and jazz based movement while doing some exercise and having fun. At Jumptown, we think that JitterBlast will increase interest in swing dancing just like Zumba did for latin dancing. Ricky Lloyd (our co-JitterBlast instructor) and I had a chance to train with Nick Williams who is an exceptionally talented professional swing dancer based in the US. Nick Williams designed the JitterBlast program and being able to learn directly from him at a workshop in Melbourne was fantastic.

What style of movement can people expect from a JitterBlast session?

The most iconic moves that people recognise would be from Lindy Hop and Charleston, and vintage Jazz with some classic Hollywood Film dance moves thrown in. For the most part, swing dancing is a partner dance, but JitterBlast is done individually just like an aerobics class. Basically, there’s a bit of jumping, hopping, kicking, triple stepping/chasseing, twisting and multidirectional movement. If you’ve ever seen our performance troupe, the Jumptown Jammers, out and about at places like the Kingston Markets, National Folk Festival or Westside Markets, you can expect a lot of similar moves to be incorporated in a JitterBlast session.

What are the key benefits people will gain from coming along? 

JitterBlast is designed to be an “express” training session that aims to increase cardiovascular strength and build core muscle groups. It’s run over 45 minutes with interval training and plyometric concepts in mind. JitterBlast is aimed at challenging all levels of fitness and at any level of dancing. In fact, you don’t even have to be a dancer to join in on a class. No matter what your level and age, you can expect to feel energised at the end of a JitterBlast session. Even if the moves aren’t executed perfectly, you can still have an awesome cardio experience. I definitely felt like my muscles had had an adequate workout after my first JitterBlast session! And even if you’re not a dancer, attending a JitterBlast session may be enough to entice you to join us at some of our regular swing dancing classes during the week.

What’s your favourite thing about this style of dance? 

Nothing can beat the music of swing dancing. It is generally upbeat, happy, quirky and appeals to my love of all things vintage. The community at Jumptown are also a welcoming and friendly bunch of people. Swing dancing can be found all over Australia and all over the world. It’s another way of connecting with people that is safe and fun. Neither regular swing dance classes or JitterBlast Fitness classes are restricted to a certain body type, nor do you have to stick with any gender role or need a partner. JitterBlast Fitness classes are the newest thing being offered under the swing dancing umbrella in the US and now Australia.  As well as Canberra, classes will be starting soon in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.  I am just really excited to be one the first to take part in this new concept linking dance and fitness.

If you love the sound of JitterBlast, be sure to make it along to the Canberra Launch-Off next weekend – it’s set to be a great event and with free entry for this very special introductory class only, it’s definitely worth joining the celebration and trying it out for yourself.

the essentials
What: JitterBlast Canberra
When: 9:30am Saturdays
Where: Griffith Neighbourhood Hall, Stuart Street Griffith
How much: $15 per class, or you can purchase a ten week pass for $120.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jitterblastcanberra
Phone: 0412 127 168

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