The rhythm isgonna get youstarting Monday, Aug. 21, when the West Virginia University School of Physical Education begins offering a new aerobics class built around the up-tempo movements of Latin dance.

Zumba (pronounced as zoomba) classes will be held Mondays at 7 p.m. in the Stansbury Hall aerobic room. The classes, which will continue through Oct. 23, are open to WVU students, employees and the general public.

This is the craze right now in fitness,said Nancy Naternicola, fitness and wellness coordinator for the School of Education.We have an instructor, Alexandra Amedro, who went to Miami and became certified to teach Zumba.

Zumba is a high-energy aerobics class that incorporates mainly Latin movements and rhythms as well as a diversified mix of worldly exotic flavors. This includes dances such as salsa, merengue, cumbia, samba, mambo and reggaeton.

The routines feature aerobic interval training with a combination of fast and slow rhythms that tone and sculpt the body. It targets areas such as the gluteus, legs, arms, abdominals and, most importantly, the heart. The dance steps are easy to follow and students can adjust their aerobic level by either increasing or decreasing their pace and amount of movements.

No experience is necessary, and participants can start at any level, Naternicola said.

Classes, offered through the School of Physical Education Lifetime Activities Program, are $45.

Those interested in taking the class can do so during the first few weeks it is offered. To register, call 304-293-3295 ext. 5252.

The zumba class is an outgrowth of the WVU Nutrition and Wellness Initiative launched in 2004 by WVU President David C. Hardesty Jr.