Crunch’s Afro-Brazilian Cardio Class
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Of the 111 aerobics classes that Crunch Fitness on Sunset Boulevard offers, its most popular is Afro-Brazilian Cardio on Wednesday nights.
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* Premiered February 1997.
* A high/low-impact cardiovascular workout incorporating African, Brazilian and Caribbean dancing and using large, sweeping moves.
* Taught and developed by Ayanna Contreras, who studied “primitive” dancing in Illinois. * Two to five live percussionists play congas, jimbe, agogo and shakaree.
* Musicians from Brazil, Chicago and New York City.
* Past performers include fire-eaters, glass-walkers, a 20-piece samba band and limbo dancers from Trinidad.
* 60 minutes long.
* Average student consumes 2 1/2 quarts of water.
* 35+ students.
* Celebrity regulars include Marisa Tomei, Jeff Goldblum and Taye Diggs.
* Students sing along.
* Class taken barefoot.
* Most common injury: chafed feet.
* Most outrageous outfit: a G-string and pasties.
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