Students Give Hula Hooping a Whirl at New Fitness Studio

When seeing hula hoop fitness instructor Janel Calka-Assaf swishing a hula hoop around her body, one feels like a kid again.

Calka-Assaf teaches a hula hoop fitness class on Sundays at Nafas Fitness, 811 N. Main Street. The class strengthens your core, improves balance and burns 400-600 calories an hour.

Hula hooping is one of 46 offerings at Nafas, which opened in May and already has 600 students.

"We're hoping to have up to 60 classes," said Calka-Assaf, who has been teaching dance and exercise classes for more than 17 years.

The hula hooping class is for all fitness levels. (Watch video.) It's just as much about laughing and being goofy as it is about working to look great in a bikini, according the energetic Calka-Assaf.

"Our 80’s Dance Aerobics class is another fun class," Calka-Assaf said. "People come to class with leg warmers on!"

Students are also getting hooked on the Adult Tap class, she said. 

"This place is an absolute treasure," said student Christine Chubenko, 51. "They offer all kinds of classes and it is my mission to take each one of them.  So far I’ve taken Yin Yoga, Morning Jump Start, Hip Hop, Adult Tap and Bee Barre."

For more information, class times and prices, visit www.nafasfitness.com.