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It's hard to believe it's been a year since the workout craze Zumba entered the Tri-states.

To celebrate, the Quincy YMCA held a two hour anniversary party.

Barb and Wes Miller decided to put a new new twist on Valentines Day shaking and grooving at the YMCA.

"Just the idea that it's something we've never done before and it would be fun to do together," said Barb Miller.

Did you have to drag him along or did he cooperate?

"Twisted my arm," said Wes Miller.

"Yeah I had to twist his arm a little bit," said Barb.

The Miller's were some of the more than 120 men, women and children that moved to the Latin beat.

But it's not a new dance club in Quincy, it's the YMCA celebrating the one year anniversary since the latest exercise trend Zumba hit the Tri-states.

"You know people are looking for a good way to get a good exercise...You know they're just here having fun dancing and laughing at each other and themselves and before they know it they're sweating,"said Maria Bichsel, Zumba instructor.

In case you're not familiar with the workout, Zumba is an hour long routine that's part Latin dance, part aerobics. It works and tones almost every muscle in the body.

A twist of the hips, a cha-cha and a shimmy forward are just a few of the moves..and there are no language barriers.

"It's a non-verbal cuing so we don't do a lot of talking during the class," said Bichsel.

It's become so popular at the Quincy Y that an extra day was added...it even filled the entire gymnasium on Valentines Day for the two hour celebration.

"For those of you who haven't experienced Zumba, even someone as young and healthy as myself is worn out and sweating just after a few minutes," said KHQA's Justen Arnold

In fact, Zumba instructors told me you can burn up to 1500 calories in one workout. It might look and sound difficult or even impossible, but don't let my athletic inability discourage you.

From teens to seniors...even the heard of hearing...Zumba is drawing large crowds and people of all fitness levels.

"Alright here it is...the number one rule you cannot Zumba wrong," said Bichsel.

But it's so much more than just exercise.

"you don't just get a good workout, it's good for the soul too when you leave here you feel great!" 

Prizes were given away every 15 minutes including a free 1 year Zumba pass.

There will also be free Zumba for everyone on Tues. the 16th from 6pm-7pm,  Wed. the 17th from 9:30am-10:30am, Thurs. the 18th from 6pm-7pm, and Sun. the 21st from 12:30pm-1:30pm of this month.

By the way the first class you attend is always free just to try it out.

The Y will soon introduce other Zumba classes focusing on kids, deconditioned and seniors, toning and Zumba in the water.