Ricky Martin’s classic hit “Livin’ La Vida Loca” could be heard drifting down the hallway of the third floor of the Student Center on Monday, Oct. 13. 

Walking past room 310, approximately 20 Kent State students could be seen dancing and laughing along to sensual songs under the instruction of Carol Eden, owner of Cleveland’s first strip tease workout program, X-Exercise. 

Kent State is offering Eden’s cardio striptease classes as a free workout session for students. Eden’s first session was Monday night, with three more to follow each Monday in October from 7 to 8 p.m. 

After leading the class in stretches and traditional exercises for 20 minutes, Eden changed out of her black workout tennis shoes into strappy silver heels to lead the class. 

“It’s time to learn some moves,” she said. “Be ready to feel sexy.” 

Eden then taught the class a striptease workout, teaching everything from head rolls and walking techniques to hip motions and body dips. 

Exuding confidence, Eden led the class through the routine multiple times to songs like Beyoncé’s “Naughty Girl” and Rihanna’s “Skin.” With more than eight years in the industry, confidence seems to come naturally to Eden. But she encouraged the participants to move at their own pace and let their bodies move in ways that feel comfortable to each individual. 

“The main reason why I started doing this was to make women feel good about themselves. No matter how you look, no matter what size you are, you need to like what you got and it shows with confidence,” Eden said. 

Although the class is called cardio striptease, no pressure is put on students to be overly sexual or move in ways that make them feel uncomfortable. Eden told the class she wanted everyone to laugh and feel relaxed, a goal that was reached very quickly as students laughed at themselves doing hip rolls and strutting through the room. 

“I liked this workout because it is a change of pace from the Rec and your daily workout routine,” said Kristina Monkowski, a sophomore nutrition major. “It was a fun and energetic way to burn calories without really realizing you’re working out.” 

With each move students made, Eden encouraged everyone to feel sexy in their own way. 

“We’re all hinged differently,” she said. “So how I move and how things look when I do them may not be exactly how you do them or exactly what feels comfortable to you.”

Contact Erin Zaranec at [email protected].