Zumba returns, join the party! Published May 16, 2012 By Lea Johnson 21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The party has come back to the Peterson Air Force Base fitness center and everyone's invited. At the beginning of the year, a number classes had to be cut from the fitness schedule due to budget restrictions. Some of the classes did not directly pertain to Air Force fitness requirements, said Roger Hill, fitness center athletic director, but officials wanted to keep general classes like step aerobics and spin class that traditionally help with cardio. Customers noticed that Zumba, a dance aerobics class that combines Latin dance moves and popular music, was missing from the schedule. Enough people made comments to fitness center staff that they decided something needed to be done to bring Zumba back. "Comments drive change," Hill said. Zumba instructors were found and classes have been added to the fitness schedule six days a week. Those attending the class will be charged a small fee so the fitness center can pay the instructors. Classes are $3 each, or a monthly unlimited pass can be purchased for $35. Hill said the price of admission was considered very carefully so that instructors would get paid a competitive price. "We're just trying to bring the service back; we're not in it to make money. We just need to make enough money to pay for the instructors and their services," he said. Because there is a charge for class, there is no priority for active duty. The classes are offered on a first come, first served basis. However, because the gym at the fitness center can hold up to 100 people, Hill doesn't foresee a problem with accommodating everyone. Zumba classes will be offered on a trial basis for the next three months. "If we have people coming in (regularly) then we can keep the classes," Hill said. If the fitness center does not have enough participation to pay the instructors through fees collected, they will consider cutting down on the number of classes or changing the times they are offered. Customer feedback is always appreciated, Hill said. "We see over 3,700 people a day (in the fitness center). People taking the time to let us know what they're interested in lets us accommodate as many people as we can," he said. The Zumba schedule can be found at www.21fss.com.