What: Zumba; 60-minute cardio dance workout to a (mostly ) Latin beat.

Where: Yoga Center, 336 Center St., Auburn, and the Wellness Center, Central Maine Medical Center, Lewiston

When: 6-week sessions. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday evenings at Yoga Center; late afternoon Monday and Wednesday morning at CMMC.

Phone: 344-8638, 784-7071, Cynthia Nicholas instructor

Cost: Varies, depending on how many classes per week you sign up for. Single class, $9; one per week for the 6-week session, $48; two per week, $84.

Prep: If you have back or leg problems, check with your doctor first.

Age range: That night, 20- to 60-somethings.

Gender: Geared toward women, but men welcome (as long as they are willing to shimmy)

Get there: A few minutes before class. No set-up needed, but socializing is fun.

Clothing: Good sneakers, fitness tops and bottoms. You need to see your muscles moving (and once you’re good at it, you’ll want to show off a little)

Bring: Bottle of water, sense of humor.

The reporter

Age: 49

Fitness: OK. Walks regularly, stretches and tones with light free weights. Hates cardio. Tells athletic friends and runner-husband that she’s built for comfort, not speed.

Recovery: Still waiting. No, just kidding. Heart rate restored to normal on drive home.

Revelation: Moving to the right is easy; shifting to the left is hard.

Pain: None. And luckily no one was injured by her flailing arms.

Do it again: In a heartbeat

The skinny

Difficulty: If you’re a dancer, this will be easy. If you haven’t tried to bust a move since the Watusi, you’ll need to pay attention. Cynthia runs through the steps at the beginning of class, but there isn’t really any practice. You learn by doing.

Group mood: Infectious fun. This is dancing for the sheer joy of it. The aerobic benefit is an afterthought.

Wuss factor: None. Everyone is encouraged to keep up with Cynthia, but if you want to catch your breath and just march in place, that’s OK, too.

Sweat factor: Sustained, but not unsightly. Everyone’s skin glowed from the exertion, but no rivers of sweat noted.

Shower: Not needed.

Fun factor: Off the charts. Really. A perfectly safe environment to play out that Shakira fantasy.

The music: Ole! Loud, joint-loosening Latin beats. Salsa, rumba, merengue, rock.

Calorie burn: 500-800 calories per hour for a 150-pound woman, depending on her intensity level.

500 calories equal:

• 1 Big Mac

• 1.5 cups of cheese-filled tortellini

600 calories equal:

• 1 Pizza Hut Personal Pan Pizza Supreme

• 1 jumbo muffin

700 calories equal:

• 20-ounce chocolate milk shake

• 5-ounces of cheese-flavored potato chips

800 calories equal:

• 2 Starbucks chocolate chip cookies

• one bottle, sherry wine