Over the last six weeks our Bhangra Aerobics project has been very well attended in various locations across Chelmsford, including Hamptons Leisure Centre and Beaulieu Community Centre. A range of diverse community groups have taken part, including Sikh, Hindu and Muslim communities based in the city and surrounding areas.

Bhangra Aerobics follows on from our previous project Bolly Flex, also funded through Active Essex, which demonstrated the need for free physical keep fit sessions, especially among women aged 35-65 from marginalised communities. We identified many health risks associated with lack of time, due to family commitments, low paid jobs with long hours, and shift work; traditional diets including fried food, high levels of sugar and salt intake; long COVID has also had a major impact on these communities.

The sessions have started with a warm up or basic step routines, and then a combination of bhangra dance and aerobics which will support weight loss, building stamina, stress relief and excellent cardio workout. The sessions have been adapted to fit different individual needs and levels of fitness, from fast to slow dance moves/rhythms for all ages.

A 30-minute dance workout can burn 130 to 250 calories. Most importantly, there is a dance exercise for everyone which can enjoyed through the basic steps of bhangra dance combined with aerobics.