Dress to sweat at the Bronx Terminal Market this Saturday.
The giant retail shopping center, also known as the Gateway Center Mall, will hold its second annual Fitness and Fun with Zumba from 10am-1pm.
But this time the Bronx YMCA will join in on the fun, and so will Hip Hop pioneer-turned-exercise-enthusiast Mele-Mel.
Dubbed the original MC, Mele-Mel will take locals through 45 minutes of hip swinging, knee-dipping Zumba hijinks meant to pump up those muscles.
He was a good get, according to Jessica Chiamulera, spokeswoman for Bronx Terminal Market Management.
“Mele-Mel’s a Bronx native,” Chiamulera hightlighted, explaining he tries “to educate people more on fitness and fun.”
Originating in Colombia during the 1990s, Zumba is now taught at 110,000 locations in 125 countries, according to founder Beto Perez.
The exercise event comes as the borough, particularly Mott Haven, continues to see the highest rate of obesity throughout the five boroughs.
The south Bronx saw between 32% and 45% of its population drinking sugary beverages, according to the latest city Department of Health stats.
“We’re very concerned with helping the community,” said Chiamulera, adding that the Market is committed to finding healthier alternatives for the borough.
The retail giant already boasts two fitness stores – GNC and BX Sports.
Store discounts and raffle prizes await those who attend.
As an added incentive, the Bronx YMCA will give out day passes to its Castle Hill facility.
Participants will already be getting a preliminary workout to get to the class – hiking up six flights of stairs to get to the Level 6 garage roofdeck of the mall at 610 Exterior Street.
Reach reporter David Cruz at 718-742-3383 or email dcruz@cnglocal.com.
David Cruz can be reach via e-mail at DCruz@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 742-3383
