This year has been one of positive changes for Tom Coe. Last June he earned a license to teach Zumba Fitness classes and became the first male instructor in Northwest Indiana. He began teaching classes in La Porte and now sees over 100 students each week at several locations in both La Porte and Porter Counties.
Since his first attempt at the Latin-inspired dance fitness classes in April of 2011, he has shed 25 pounds and, in the process, gained several new friendships. “I’ve met so many incredible people this past year,” said Coe. “My first class was at La Porte High School last summer with a handful of high school students that came pretty regularly after that.”
Once school started in the fall, the High School class grew when teachers found out about the program being offered at the end of the day. Conveniently scheduled before they left the building, both students and teachers began attending Coe’s class. “Once they started coming, many of them had such a positive experience, they just kept coming back every class, all year.”
From there, he was hired to teach classes at the La Porte Family YMCA, the Northwest Athletic Club in Michigan City, and Estudio Z Fitness in Valparaiso along with some substitute teaching at The Crossing in La Porte and the Vistor’s Bureau at Marquette Mall in Michigan City. Coe says that the best part of being an instructor, much like his regular job as Choral Director at La Porte High School, is sharing his passion and enthusiasm with others and watching it catch on with them. “All of my classes are filled with people who are just enjoying themselves. It becomes less about working out and more about letting loose, having fun, and dancing to loud music.”
But fun isn’t the only thing happening in Coe’s Zumba Fitness classes. People are getting healthy, sometimes without even realizing it. One truly inspirational student has lost a total of 48 pounds since August when she started taking classes with Coe last fall. “It has been such a great feeling for me,” he said, “to have been a part of many people’s journey to better health.”
This Friday night, Coe is celebrating his first year of teaching Zumba by holding a One-Year Anniversary Party at the La Porte YMCA. The two hour fitness event starts at 6:30 and will be led by Coe along with a group of other instructors that mentored Coe as he was just starting out. The cost for admission is $3 in advance or $5 at the door. For more information about the event, visit www.facebook.com/zumbawithtomcoe or email him directly at zumbawithtomcoe@yahoo.com