Have you heard of SwingTrain? This is a brand new fitness workout inspired by Vintage Vibes and Street Dances, and brought to you by Savoy Dance Canberra, and is the first place in Australia to offer this fantastic workout based on swing dance. SwingTrain is a terrific fitness regime open to all levels of fitness and you don’t need any special gear—just your favourite workout clothes and sneakers.

So what is SwingTrain?  SwingTrain is the vintage inspired cardio workout launched by BBC Dragons’ Den success Scott Cupit and backed by Deborah Meaden, and was launched at the start of this year. It now has 45 venues across the UK and has been recruiting in Australia, and the very first Australian SwingTrain opened in Canberra on Saturday 6 May.

SwingTrain is an elating exercise experience accompanied by the vintage vibes of swing, gospel, rhythm & blues and jazz, and is a marked difference to the electronic music that dominates the majority of cardio exercise classes. The fitness regime was developed by Scott Cupit, the award winning London-based, Australian, dance teacher and entrepreneur. Now, SwingTrain is launching under the guidance of investor Deborah Meaden, and local Canberra dancer and fitness instructor Cathie Gough, Founder of Savoy Dance which offers weekly swing, slow balboa and tap classes here in Canberra, has been selected as the first SwingTrain trainer in Australia.

“We’ll be fostering both fitness and friendships at the SwingTrain Canberra sessions,” says Cathie. “The music and atmosphere is designed to be supportive and uplifting, so that participants don’t even realise they’re burning up to 500 calories an hour because they’re smiling so much. The best thing about SwingTrain is that it’s accessible to everyone, no matter their age, fitness levels or abilities. We will always warmly welcome absolute beginners to fitness. All that’s required is a desire for a positive experience.”

No dance or fitness class experience is required and qualified SwingTrain fitness instructors lead participants through a series of fun, follow-along moves inspired by the vintage street dances of Charleston, lindy hop, and shag. The full body cardio workouts exercise legs, arms and core, as well as developing coordination and mental agility through memorable routines. Each SwingTrain session lasts for an hour, including warm-up and warm-down times.

“Each routine throughout the workout has elements that can be adjusted for different levels, so you can take it at your own pace,” explains Cathie. “The overall program does aim to burn calories, so if you have an injury, be sure to let the instructor know in at the start of class, so they can keep you in mind as they take everyone through the program, and make sure you take care of yourself. Mothers who are nursing little ones are most welcome to bring their babies along to class and attend to them as needed; I am a new mum myself and encourage gentle exercise for mums!”

SwingTrain is an aerobics workout and is open to all ages, and people are welcome to come and watch a class first before they decide to participate. For more information and to book a class visit Savoy Dance website, or SwingTrainCANBERRA FB page.

Weekly classes will take place every Saturday 9.30am at Kmotion Dance Studio (54 Northbourne Ave Canberra City). Classes cost just $14 at the door.