Many people, laughingly, say that they are allergic to exercise. Some say they “run” from it. But there is hardly a person around who doesn’t know that, to lead a healthy life, some form of daily exercise should be a part of it.

So, maybe it would be a smart idea to disguise exercise.

That’s exactly what is going on at the Troy Recreation Center on Saturday mornings – exercise in disguise.

“Zumba is exercise in disguise,” said Candise Jackson, an instructor for the program. “It’s a fitness dance class that fuses hypnotic Latin rhythms and easy to follow moves to create a dynamic fitness program that will blow you away.”

The thought of being “blown away” might cause some concern among those who don’t exercise on a regular basis. But Jackson said, participants can work at their on pace and gradually work up.

The classes are designed for any fitness level, from beginners to advanced.

“We want the ‘dancers’ to work out, to love working out and to get hooked on Zumba,” Jackson said. “Zumba fanatics achieve long term benefits while experiencing an absolute blast in one exhilarating hour of calorie-burning, body-energizing, awe-inspiring movements that you can enjoy for a lifetime.”

The Zumba class is offered from 10 until 11 a.m. on Saturdays at the Troy Recreation Center. There is a fee for the classes but those who would like to come to see if Zumba is something they would enjoy may attend an introductory class at no charge.

Jackson said Zumba is a fast-growing exercise choice that has taken Dothan by storm.

“Michele Crews and I first started teaching Zumba classes in Dothan and an interest was expressed here in Troy so we decided to offer a class here on Saturday morning,” Jackson said. “Zumba is a fun way to exercise. You can work out at the gym or you can Zumba. We invite everyone to come and decided which they would rather do.”