Health clubs, dance studio students gear up for Gym Crew Challenge

BRENTWOOD, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The Naughty Beats from Moore Dancing and Equinox held an early-morning practice with LA DanceFit's Westside Empire team. Both are getting ready for the upcoming Gym Crew Challenge event.

If you love it, dancing is one of the best forms of exercise. Moving to music with a whole lot of style is sheer delight for many.

But for those who take classes at studios or gyms, the stage is usually a group exercise room, which is kind of unfortunate if you want to strut your stuff.

That is why the Gym Crew Challenge was invented, giving moms, housewives, worker bees and wannabees a chance to step outside their comfort zone to show friends and family what they can do.

No age, race, size or shape requirement. You just got to love to dance.

Participants mainly come from dance studios and health clubs. Crunch, Equinox, Gold's Gym, 24 Hour Fitness and others start four to six months out with an instructor and team members ready to practice. They choose a song, a theme and and a sassy routine.

This year, 10 teams will compete, coming as far away as Thousand Oaks and San Bernardino.

Caroline Magobojos, co-founder of the Gym Crew Challenge, said the program is now in its sixth year.

The top 3 winners are determined by dance judges, plus there is a fan favorite award voted on by the audience. Prizes include $500, free gym classes and a Nespresso machine.

It's too late to jump in and dance this year, but if you want to come to the event, it is Saturday, April 25, at the Barnsdall Gallery Theater in Los Angeles. Tickets are $20 online or $25 the day of the show.