The Kent State Student Recreation and Wellness Center (SWRC) held its third annual Zumbathon to support the Akron Children’s Hospital’s #ForTheKids movement Thursday night.

#ForTheKids movement is a series of dance and exercise-based events put on in the Akron area to raise money for the patients of the hospital. The donations raised during the event go directly to treating the hospital’s current patients.

Over $300 was raised for patients of the children’s hospital. Eighty attended the event, 10 more than last Zumbathon. All the event-goers were to able participate in Zumba and other dance related activities during the two-hour event.

Elizabeth Michel, group exercise program officer of the SRWC, planned the event, and was pleased with the energy of the participants.

“Everyone looks like they’re having a lot of fun,” Michel said. “We tried to add some diversity in the different activities this year and most seem to be enjoying themselves.”

The new and diverse events Michel spoke about included POUND fitness, a routine becoming increasingly popular since its feature on the popular television show, “This is Us.” Tara Tober, who has been teaching fitness classes for 20 years; four of those years at Kent State, instructed the group during the 15-minute POUND exercise.

“Everyone did awesome,” Tober said. “It’s a thrilling rush, the energy in the gym was so high when there are so many people taking part.”

Along with POUND fitness and Zumba, belly dancing was also featured during the event. Zumba and POUND fitness had the most participants.

Jena Pinchek, a sophomore speech pathology major, enjoyed working out with her Alpha Xi Delta sisters for a good cause.

“My favorite part was the Zumba,” Pinchek said. “I just like letting go and dancing with everyone and not caring what people think.”

Pinchek, who also attends Zumba classes at the SWRC, says she enjoys Zumabathon a little more than her regular classes.

“It’s nice because there are a lot more people,” Pinchek said. “It makes the workout a lot more fun when the energy is this high.”

Akron Children’s hospital will continue holding donation events throughout the year in the Akron area. Its ‘Dancing for Kids’ event held at the hospital’s Showers Family Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders raised over $89,000 for patients in October 2016.

Shane Transue is the fitness and recreation reporter, contact him at [email protected].