Jazzercise instructor’s passion for people and exercise endures

by Charles Cassady

There are certain words that are trademark names we take for granted. “Jazzercise,” for example, is not a generic term for dance-like fitness routines, but a real corporation. Just ask local instructor Lois Powers, who teaches classes at the Independence Civic Center.

“I’ve taught there for 46 years,” Powers said. “And not only taught there but I also teach at the Seven Hills Recreation Center. I’ve also taught in Parma, Beachwood and North Royalton.”

Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, Jazzercise claims to be the first coordinated exercise program that certified its instructors. “It’s a franchise,” Powers said. “I do own a franchise. You have to become licensed to do it; there’s a training period. They’re really big in Japan, and it’s on Army bases in Europe. We’re all over the world.”

The Jazzercise name has persevered since its inception in the 1960s, catching the wave of a ’70s “fitness revolution.” While Jane Fonda aerobic workouts and Tae-Bo have come and gone in gyms and rec centers, Jazzercise endures.

“It’s [been] around over 50 years because it’s transformed over the years,” Powers said. Over the decades, the Jazzercise program has added free weights, incorporated step aerobics and tailored itself towards an aging population.

“I teach nine classes a week. I couldn’t do this if I didn’t adapt it,” said Powers, who turned 81 this fall.

While she now lives in Sagamore Hills, Powers’ path to fitness – with an additional side dish of restaurant ownership – began in Independence. “I lived in Independence almost all my life, as did my parents,” she said.

When she was a child, Powers said she had very weak ankles and her family’s doctor advised she learn dance for therapeutic purposes. “So I took ballet lessons until I was 18 years old,” she said.

Her commitment became so serious that Powers wound up dancing with the American Ballet Theatre in New York City. But she was dismayed by the uncertainty of an avocation in which one single injury could be a career-ender.

So she left professional ballet to attend The Ohio State University and earn an education degree. She then got a master’s degree from Cleveland State University and taught for 10 years.

When Jazzercise developed, Powers saw an opportunity that addressed both her physically active lifestyle and her enthusiasm for instruction. “It was a nice little marriage,” she said.

She now counts her Jazzercise regulars in Independence as more than patrons. “My customers at Independence are my family,” Powers said. “They are like sisters. I see these people sometimes five days a week.”

Some of them, in fact, are familiar faces from Powers’ other side career – restaurateur. She and her late husband were proprietors of Broglio’s Tavern, long in operation on Brecksville Road near the location of the current Harry’s Steakhouse.

“It was a restaurant since 1917. It was founded by the Broglio brothers, and it was sold to other people, the Simonettis [brothers Tony and Alex Simonetti] and their wives,” Powers explained.

Powers’ mother and father were regulars at Broglio’s starting in the WWII era and eventually stepped behind the counters themselves. “The Simonetti brothers died within a week of each other,” Powers said.

In 1955, her family bought the restaurant from the Simonetti widows, and in 1995 Powers’ dad transferred the restaurant to her name.

She said the average life expectancy of a restaurant venture is 10 years. Broglio’s enjoyed a run of more than eight times that before finally serving for the last time in 2000.

Powers said she, her husband and son loved the dining-hospitality life, but that it was a continual, daylong active commitment. Exercise could be described as much the same.

“We are living longer as a society. And if we’re living longer, we have to take care of ourselves,” said Powers. “You don’t have to run a marathon or climb Mount Everest. But you do have to do something.”

Jazzercise practitioners do not have to be pushed to sweat or feel pain, she said.

“I think the average age is about 60 years old. Some people come and go. Their lives change or maybe they change jobs or care for elderly parents. We have a lot of people with a bad elbow or a bad knee. We can adapt for that.”

The Independence Jazzercise classes do not adhere to a strict curriculum or rigid calendar, and registration is always open, including walk-ins. “So whenever you’re ready, we’re ready,” said Powers.

Late in the year is a good time to partake, as Powers said Jazzercise classes tend to fill up rapidly “with the New Year’s resolutions” after Jan. 1.

Classes are held at the Civic Center, mornings and afternoons Mondays through Friday and Saturday mornings. Call 216-524-3262 for more information.

Photo caption: Lois Powers. Photo by Kim Garred.