The beat goes on and on and on at Whitman’s Z-Fit club, where booming music and high-energy dancing catch the eyes of passersby every Monday and Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. During these club meetings, students follow a series of rehearsed dances by club leaders to various popular dance songs.
These dances are high-energy and can easily make anybody, regardless of fitness level, break a sweat within minutes. Z-Fit serves as a way for students to get moving, especially those looking for alternative exercise activities besides gym workouts and formal athletics. Members come from all parts of campus to have fun in a safe space that encourages students to express themselves and break out of their shells.
Naomi Johnson-McCann, a first-year at Whitman, talked about her experience as a new member of Z-Fit and what it means to her.
“It’s given me something to look forward to on Mondays and Wednesdays,” Johnson-McCann said. “I had a goal (when I came to college) of getting more active, and it’s been helpful with that.”
Beyond fitness, Z-Fit fosters a close community between members, who bond over their shared meetings and the passion that they put into every dance.
Sophomore Kaori Hodgkin, a returning Z-Fit member, continues to participate in meetings — not just for the activity itself, but for the people she has met and formed connections with.
“I think it’s really fun,” Hodgkin said. “It’s super welcoming, and you’re not ever judged for not knowing the [dances]—it’s really open.”
Junior Caitlyn Taylor, also a returning Z-Fit member, reiterated the high-spirited atmosphere of the activity.
“It’s a really fun time to listen to some music [and] move your body; there’s a lot of good people [there] that always have fun,” Taylor said.
Taylor added that, though Z-Fit is meant to be a fun, low-stakes activity, its physical demands require commitment from participants.
“It’s exhausting and the people who come are the ones who want to be there and have a good time,” Taylor said.
Both Hodgkin and Taylor share a deep love for the Z-Fit community, and it keeps both of them coming back for more dancing and fun.
A similar sentiment is shared by the senior club leaders Emily Nichol and Lilli Black, who both, while they have their own reasons for joining and becoming leaders, share a passion for Z-Fit.
“I started going my freshman year and kept up with it,” Nichol said.
Nichol didn’t initially expect to become a club leader, but she stepped up when previous leadership graduated.
For Black, Z-Fit is a space to unwind.
“I call it my two hours a week of feeling silly and not taking myself as seriously,” Black said.
Black, who has also been a member since her first year at Whitman, shared how important Z-Fit has been in boosting her confidence in public.
“We’re on Reid side lawn when it’s nice out, and that’s a very public space to me; it can be very intimidating, [so] it definitely took a little bit to get used to that,” Black said.
Even when Z-Fit isn’t outside due to colder weather, the enclosed space in the Sherwood Athletic Center that meetings take place in provides another intimidating setting.
“In here, we’re in front of these mirrors, and being that close, it’s a little startling at first to see your every move, but it’s made me so much more confident,” Black said.
Nichol’s confidence has also benefited from Z-Fit.
“Going to Z-Fit every week has boosted my confidence,” Nichol said, “and it has allowed me to be confident enough to be a leader too.”
Whether it is to be active, to find a community or to gain confidence, Z-Fit members participate for an array of reasons. This celebration of dance, music and fun is a loud and proud example of the diversity of athletic opportunities available to Whitman students.
