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YMCA breaks Zumba Record...but victory is short-lived

January 01, 2011|By Melody Pettit | KWCH 12 Eyewitness News

(WICHITA, Kan.) — Update: The Greater Wichita YMCA managed to make their way into the Guiness Book of World Records, but the record didn't last long.

The organization says it just received certification for its record this week...months after they set the record January 1.

But, another organization has already beat their record, so victory was short-lived.  The Y says a group of 1,223 people shattered their record in late-April.

“We held the record for nearly four months,” said YMCA Health and Wellness Director Rachel Stuhlsatz in a press release. “That’s still pretty exciting considering how popular Zumba has become, and how many other record attempts we knew were in the works. This just means we have a new target to hit if we want to regain the title.”

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"My resolution this year is to have fun while I work out," said actress Kirstie Alley.

And that is exactly what the Wichita native did. She joined hundreds of other people at a Wichita YMCA to Zumba, an exercise that combines Latin music, dancing, and working out.

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"My sister is a Zumba teacher here and she told me I should come, it's a lot of fun," Alley said.

The YMCA wants to break a world record for the largest Zumba class ever.

"We wanted to try something different, something new for people to do instead of just getting back to the gym again on January first," said Rachel Stuhlstaz with the YMCA.

The current record is about 800 people, but that is considered an unofficial count. While they only have 650 people, they hope to break a record because this is an official count. YMCA officials say Zumba is quickly becoming very popular.

"Regardless of how old you are or what your fitness level is, you can do Zumba. It's nice to see everyone here working out together," Stuhlstaz said.

Alley has fought a very public battle with her weight. The 60-year-old actress wants to start the year off right and help others do the same.

"It's great that we're trying to break a record…I’m interested in the journey this time not the race," Alley said.

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