Jazzercise Partners with Back In the Swing

Jazzercise,
the world’s leading dance fitness program,
is proud to announce its partnership with
Back in the Swing USA®.

“On behalf of all Jazzercise instructors worldwide, we are proud to partner with Back in the Swing,” said Jazzercise founder and CEO, Judi Sheppard Missett. “Together we will help breast cancer survivors get ‘back in the swing’ and ‘stay in the swing’ of joyful, healthy living after breast cancer.”

Jazzercise, and its legion of 7,800 instructors worldwide, will hold special Jazzercise fundraising classes this May. All money raised from the classes will go to Back in the Swing to aid in its growth and promotion of breast cancer survivorship programs. Additionally, profits from sales of Jazzercise/Back in the Swing t-shirts will be earmarked to Back in the Swing.

Jazzercise was at the forefront of a study that strongly indicated the importance of exercise for breast cancer survivors. According to researchers at The Breast Cancer Survivorship Center (BCSC) at the University of Kansas Cancer Center, breast cancer survivors can “move” their way into better health and decrease breast cancer risk at the same time. From 2008 through 2010, half of the participants in the study attended Jazzercise class for six months at a time. The study showed that the Jazzercise participants lost weight and improved their fitness levels significantly, which greatly reduces the risk of breast cancer recurrence.

According to Jennifer Klemp, Ph.D. and Managing Director of the BCSC, “This research project has demonstrated that breast cancer survivors are concerned about their weight and cancer risk, and want to participate in fun forms of activity close to home. A 60-minute Jazzercise class includes cardiovascular and resistance training, as well as core strengthening, therefore providing a great opportunity for the participants to get fit while having fun and helping to find their new normal."

“Jazzercise and Back in the Swing have forged a powerful life-changing partnership,” said Barbara Unell, founder of Back in the Swing USA. “Through Jazzercise/Back in the Swing fundraising classes in May, Jazzercisers will raise funds that we will earmark for new breast cancer survivorship medical services and research, helping breast cancer survivors heal from the physical and psychological effects of treatment, as well as prevent recurrence."