Work It Out! with High Energy Dance

We’re featuring fun, unique exercise options to keep your workout fresh. Ranasha Chittick from Hero Productions shares the latest in dance workouts!

We asked Ranasha to tell us about herself.
I’ve have been dancing and cheering for more than 20 years. I'm a former University of Arizona Cheerleader, UCA staff instructor and an elite level gymnast.

I've danced with the Phoenix Mercury Hip Hop Squad and Phoenix Suns Dance Team for five seasons. I've also done choreography for the Phoenix Mercury, Phoenix Suns, Harlem Globetrotters, Seattle Supersonics and various dance studios, high schools and all star gyms throughout the valley. I have also competed in fitness competitions, finishing in the top 20 nationally, and I've choreographed for fitness competitors as well. Not only am I passionate about dance and fitness but I also enjoy mixing and editing music!

Hero Productions is a fairly new company owned by myself and Heather Podany. We started the company to meet the growing demands for non-traditional ways to stay in shape for adults, along with providing an affordable way for our youth to experience and improve their skills in dance, pom and cheer.

Tell us about your programs.
We offer various styles of dance from beginning to advance levels. The classes we offer are jazz, lyrical, pom, hip hop, step and body percussion, break dancing, popping, and locking. We offer them in the format of master classes, clinics and camps.

What kind of workout do they provide?
In the classes we offer you will definitely get a cardiovascular workout, along with flexibility, muscle strength, and muscle coordination. And as a bonus, our classes will also give you some new moves for the dance floor!

What is the most fun thing about this type of exercise?
Who doesn’t like to dance? Or better yet, let’s compare running on a treadmill for an hour or dancing for an hour. Which hour seems to go by faster?

Who can participate in dancing?
Last year’s age range spanned from age 5 to 52. All ages and skill levels are welcome!

As with any form of exercise, you should get clearance from your doctor. If you do suffer from any kind of aches or pains, then we advise that you do only what is comfortable and does not cause discomfort. It's also probably not a good idea to take a break dancing class because of the floor work.

Tell us about your classes.
Classes are offered at irregular intervals, so please check our websites for upcoming events. Prices vary as well and are usually noted at the time the event is posted.

No special equipment is needed, just a good pair of shoes and an open mind. If you want to take a break dancing classes, I suggest some knee pads.

What do you do to reward yourself after a great workout?
Go out dancing!

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