Move Over Jane Fonda, Pony Sweat Aerobics Is Fabulous And We Want In
When I think of aerobics, I think of the following things (in no particular order):
Jane Fonda
A shit tonne of fluorescent lycra
Let's get physical, physical, I wanna get physicalllllllll
This gem from the depths of YouTube that will either change your life (or ruin it)
I have no shame in admitting that I've been the girl that has nearly drowned in my own sweat following an aerobic workout DVD. Fast forward ten minutes into it, there's a pretty good chance I'm sat on the sofa just watching (sometimes even eating a snack), thinking to myself, I'll just leave the professionals to it. I know I'm not alone.
I had very little faith in finding some form of aerobic exercise that didn't fill me with dread.
And then I read about Pony Sweat Aerobics.
They describe themselves as "a fiercely non-competitive body-positive dance aerobics celebration...created for ALL levels of fitness and coordination."
YAAAAAAAAS.
Pony Sweat go on to say that their workouts are "designed to keep us moving and smiling," which is what we're supposed to be doing when we exercise right? Enjoy it so much that time flies and then you're sad when the class ends? Their soundtrack seems pretty badass, they even go to say that it's "reminiscent of a favourite mixtape." Basically the kind of dancing we get up to in the privacy of our own homes - or is it just me that dances around whilst getting ready in the morning? - and that's the kind of shit we like.
So who is this incredible so-and-so that's behind it all? That would be instructor Emilia Richeson. Labelled in a press release as a "queer punk ray of sunshine", she is the girl you want to invite to every house party. Aerobics has always been close to her heart and her love for '80s music helped her form the aesthetic of Pony Sweat. Richeson used aerobics as to way to cope when she battled with depression and was Inspired by Richard Simmons' LA classes, where all people were welcomed and diversity was celebrated. After his retirement, she couldn't find a class with routines that she enjoyed, and friends encouraged her to host a few of her own classes.
If you're lucky enough to be within a decent distance of a Pony Sweat class, don't feel apprehensive about going. Literally anyone - any BODY - is welcome. As they say on their site: "come as YOU ARE, all ways, ALWAYS".
Not in LA? (Us neither, *sigh*) It's okay, you can join in with their first feature-length video. We can't wait to hear more from Pony Sweat in the future, because this is 100% the way the exercise industry should be headed. Fun, judgement-free, and full of positive vibes. Now go on, dance like nobody's watching, you know you want to.
