Banbury dance fitness classes go global during lockdown

Its online lessons are attracting hundreds if not thousands from around the globe to some of its sessions.

Due to the current lockdown from the coronavirus outbreak Daniel Browne, the founder of Groove Aerobics, has been doing classes on Facebook live with his family members; brother, sister, fiancee, dad and mum all getting involved.

Daniel, who found the dance fitness company in 2014, said: "Since being online we've expanded to a global audience, reaching thousands of people from the USA, Brazil, Canada, Italy, Australia, Fiji, Spain, Germany, Bahamas, Poland Portugal etc.

"It's been really heartwarming getting the feedback from people who we are helping to 'keep sane'."

The classes offer people a way to not only keep fit during the lockdown, but a way to do it at their own pace from their own home.

Daniel added: "Groove Aerobics is a dance fitness company that aims to improve the physical and mental wellbeing of our 'Groovers'.

"It is a class that fuses different styles of urban dance with amazing songs, old and new; from Tina Turner to Bruno Mars.

"We create an atmosphere that is incredibly enjoyable and addictive. You 'groove your way to fitness.' (That's our slogan).

"We are a family company making an impact in our communities through dance fitness. We provide classes for all ages and abilities, keeping everyone active, in a fun and energetic environment."

Groove Aerobics offers free online classes at the following times throughout the week:

- Groove Aerobics: Monday and Wednesday and Friday - 9:30am and 6pm

- Groove Resistance: (higher intensity) - Tuesday - 9:30am

- Groove Lite: (lower intensity ) - Thursday - 9:30am

- Groove challenges/tutorials for all ages (pre - recorded)

To join them and get grooving, all you need to do is like and follow their Groove Aerobics Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/GrooveAerobics/ and join in live at the scheduled times.

While the classes are completely free the dance company has not gone unaffected by the lockdown.

Daniel added:" Despite taking a financial blow, and being a small business, we still saw more value in uplifting our community through what we do.

"As safe as it is to stay home, it's also just as important to stay fit and healthy both mentally and physically, especially those with underlying health issues who can't even enjoy a walk outdoors."

They set up a GoFundMe fundraising page to help the dance fitness company during the lockdown.

Anyone who would like to contribute to the Groove Aerobics fundraising campaign see the following web link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/keep-the-groove-aliveDaniel said: "This is not just to maintain what we already do, but to help us to be a stronger company on the other side of this lockdown; being able to do more and give more to the communities we are in and more importantly, expand and get every community grooving.

"Keep The Groove Alive. We're dancers and we love what we do! So we will continue to stay home, stay safe and stay grooving."

Banbury resident, Ryan Johnson, has found himself surrounded by 'Groovers' since the lockdown started.

Ryan said: "For the past month I have watched my girlfriend and heard of my mother, father, aunts, Nan and friends taking part in a live streamed ‘free’ fitness class delivered by Banbury resident - ‘Dan Browne’. He delivers a 40 minute fitness class from his back garden/living room with his entire family taking part in the background (morning and night).

"A local and dare I say better Joe Wicks – with an insane amount of energy, enthusiasm and passion for what he is doing."

*A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper when you do your weekly shop.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.