CLARION, Pa. (EYT) – For nearly two decades, the Clarion County YMCA has been filled with the high-energy beats of Zumba, led by instructor Ronnie Radaker. Yet, Ronnie will tell you his successful 17-year career leading the popular fitness class was never part of his original plan.

A background in health education meant fitness was always central to his life, but teaching the Latin-inspired dance class was an opportunity he stumbled into.

An Accidental Instructor

Ronnie’s journey began in 2008 at the Clarion University Health Science Education Center (HSEC), where he served as the Associate Director. The center decided to host a campus community challenge, kicking off the event with a health fair that included a visiting Zumba instructor.

“The folks that participated loved it and wanted to have classes here in Clarion,” Ronnie told exploreClarion.com.

The initial plan was for a colleague to take the instructor training. However, before the training date, his colleague took a new teaching position.

“The director decided that I will take the training spot since we paid for the training,” Ronnie recalled. “Long story short, I really did not know much about Zumba at the time, went to the training, and then thought: ‘What am I getting myself into?!’ Seventeen years later, and I am still teaching classes.”

The Philosophy: Fitness Should Be Fun

With a strong foundation in health education, Ronnie approaches fitness with a simple but effective philosophy: physical activity must be something a person genuinely enjoys to be sustainable.

“I believe that it is important to lead a healthy lifestyle for the overall well-being of the body, mind, and soul,” he noted. “A person does need to select activities that they enjoy doing that is not a normal daily activity to gain the benefits of physical fitness.

“Zumba is one way for people to move in a way that is fun and energizing.”

That belief fuels the vibrant environment he creates in every class. But for Ronnie, the energy goes far beyond the music.

Beyond the Physical Workout

While the calorie burn is a given, Ronnie emphasizes the holistic gains his participants receive. His goal for the class extends into community and mental health.

“My hope is that people who join the class gain benefits of being physically active but also have an opportunity to build relationships and friendships that go beyond the fitness class,” he emphasized. “The class also can assist with clearing their mind and having an opportunity to establish a good mental health.”

To keep the class engaging and dynamic, Ronnie constantly updates his playlist. He used to use 100% Latin-inspired music but now uses a blend.

“Now I use a blend of Latin, pop, country, and soft rock,” he explained. “I listen to music to see if it has a great beat that I can incorporate the dance elements that create a dynamic environment for a good Zumba class.”

The Core Message for Newcomers

Given his demanding schedule, Ronnie admits that the reason he continues teaching part-time at the YMCA is singularly focused on the participants themselves.

“To be honest, I only keep teaching because of you the participants. If I did not have all of you who come each week, I would not be teaching the class!”

For anyone nervous about trying their first Zumba class, Ronnie’s advice is simple: just move.

“Zumba is a class that you just have to try,” he encouraged. “I tell folks who have never tried a Zumba class before to listen to their own body, feel the beat, and just have fun. You do not need to do all the movement that I do in the class. The key is to get your heart rate up, your breathing rate up, and have fun!”

He reminds everyone that finding an activity you enjoy is the key to consistency, and consistency is the only way to reap all the benefits of physical activity.

To learn more about Zumba and other YMCA classes, check out their schedule here: Clarion County YMCA Schedules