The enthusiasm increased along with the sweat level as nearly 40 soldiers and Department of the Army civilians worked every body part during a Jazzercise session offered last week as part of the U.S. Army Operational Test Command's health promotions program.

Provided by the Jazzercise Killeen Fitness Center instructors, participants ranging in age from the early 20's to the early 60's appeared to enjoy themselves during the hour-long cardio-strength-stretch session featuring high-energy music. Some were novices, and a few were Jazzercise regulars.

Owner/instructor Michelle Fry warned the group that "the first part is cardio dance, and the second part is strengthening exercise, and it gets very intense."

Sharon Sutton, USAOTC secretary to the general staff and a part-time instructor, opened the 6:30 a.m. session telling participants, "we'd like to try to introduce you to Jazzercise because we think it works wonderfully."

The class was offered as an alternate physical training option for soldiers, said Capt. James Simpson, Headquarters and Headquarters Command company commander, who oversees the command's health promotions program.

"I was looking around for something different for us to do," Simpson said. "Sharon volunteered to put together the Jazzercise class, and Michelle was kind enough to offer her help, so we were able to open this up for our civilian employees."

Sara Van Dusen, deputy executive director, tries to Jazzercise every day and has been a regular at Fry's studio for five years.

"Even when I'm TDY (temporary duty)," she said, "I can usually find a Jazzercise class, so I don't miss a session."

Test Technology Director Gayle Shull is a regular at Curves, uses a treadmill, does Zumba and has enjoyed Jazzercise over the years.

"I'm glad they put this together," she said. "I was really looking forward to it."

Fry and Sutton added weights at the end of the class.

"The weights are added resistance," Fry said. "We're going to make you work a little harder."

Master Sgt. Todd Bitler, TTD non-commissioned officer in charge, said lots of people think aerobics is easy, and "Then they try something like this and find out it's a lot harder than it looks," he said.

USAOTC offers alternate PT at least once a month, Simpson said.

"We were successful in getting MWR (Morale, Welfare, Recreation) to offer Zumba and yoga classes at the West Fort Hood Gym starting in September," he said. "There has been good participation, not only from OTC but also from across west Fort Hood.

"We've held a nutrition class," he continued, "and we frequently offer a three-mile run at Dana Peak Park. Alternate PT is voluntary and almost always open to civilians."

Fry, who has been a Jazzercise instructor for nine years, offers 30 Jazzercise classes weekly at her studio. Sutton, who has been teaching Jazzercise for five years, is one of 10 instructors there.