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Kristy Olson leads a Zumba class through Albert Lea Community Education in December at Sibley Elementary School. Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune

Olson has taught Zumba in Albert Lea for about a year now. She said she loves leading the classes and is grateful for the opportunity to do so. Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune

Class members follow Olson’s lead during a Zumba session in December through Community Education. Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune

As a Zumba instructor, Kristy Olson has access to various routines and songs through the company’s database. Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune

With a smile on her face and a bounce in her step, Kristy Olson of Albert Lea is making a name for herself as a Zumba instructor over the last year — bringing a fun exercise option to the community.

Olson said she was introduced to Zumba by a friend who invited her to a class. At first, she admits, she didn’t like it.

“She got me to go to another one, and after that second one I was hooked, and I went to every class I could,” Olson said.

Zumba is a program that involves cardio and dance, initially founded by a Colombian dancer and choreographer. It involves all elements of fitness — cardio, muscle conditioning and flexibility, according to the company website.

Born and raised in Albert Lea, Olson said she had struggled with her weight and she hated exercising. But, she said, something felt different with Zumba.

“I loved the fact that the hour went by,” she said. “I love dancing. I dance at my house all the time.”

From her heaviest, Olson has ultimately lost about 100 pounds, and she loves having Zumba to give her a fun way to exercise.

Now as a teacher, she said she hopes to share the program with as many others as she can and is grateful to have had the opportunity to do so in the last year through Albert Lea Community Education. She has taught 57 classes.

As a Zumba instructor, she has access to a platform for music and choreography, which she incorporates into her classes. While traditionally a lot of Zumba is done to Latin-inspired music, she said she prefers to incorporate more pop and rock.

The participants typically learn a routine after two or three classes, and she encouraged people trying it out for the first time to attend at least two to three classes before they determine if they like it or not.

“It doesn’t have to be perfect, that’s not what it’s about,” she said. “I just want you to have fun.”

There are also modifications of the actions throughout the class for those who would like to try it at a different level.

Looking back, she said she never thought she would be a Zumba teacher, and recognized that she still gets nervous before every class. She describes herself as the one who always used to be in the back corner of a class.

Her goal initially was to have three women come out each week to her class — in her first class she had 25.

Classes are typically once a week for six to eight weeks, depending on what time of year, and people can sign up for them through Albert Lea Community Education. Classes are mostly held at Sibley Elementary School though some have also been taught at Brookside Education Center.

“Because I was able to do this, I really feel like my confidence has went up a lot,” Olson said. “I feel overwhelmed in the best possible way with all the support and friendly ladies, the community.”

Aside from teaching Zumba, Olson works as a waitress at Cafe Muir in Fertile, Iowa, and owns her own cleaning business. She and her husband, Brian, love to travel.