Clubbercise takes Dunstall Community Centre by storm

That was until the lights were dimmed, glow sticks activated and 90s club anthems turned up full blast.

My usual Monday workout was about to be substituted by a rave.

Clubbercise classes have taken the exercise world by storm in recent months.

The sessions see party-goers work up a sweat dancing to floorfillers from the 90s to recent dance anthems. The routines are easy-to-follow and always have high or low impact options.

Up to 500 calories can be burnt off in an hour, allowing muscles to be toned and the chance to get fit without wearing blister prone heels or waking up with a hangover the next day.

And although the hour-long disco regime I signed up to at Dunstall Community Centre didn't feature any mayhem, make up or Martinis, as my nights out did during my university days, that didn't mean the dance moves weren't just as enthusiastic.

After checking in and paying £5, I was given a pair flashing rave glow sticks – which are re-usable so more environmentally friendly than the single use ones.

Then I had a lovely warm welcome by instructor Maggie Palmer. Maggie, from Cannock, only trained as a Clubbercise instructor last year – but she has more than 30 years experience in the dance industry teaching everything from burlesque to zumba.

The humble community hall has disco balls and strobe lights positioned around the edge of room and Maggie tells me that she'll do a simple warm up once the lights are darkened.

Then it started. Surely I wasn't allowed to go clubbing on a Monday night? I had work the next day and admittedly the thought of 'what the hell have I signed up to' did cross my mind at this point.

But ah, dancing in the dark with disco lights and lasers means you can really let go! There's something about 90s dance anthems that bring that ultimate feel-good factor to a night out.

And anyone who knows me from a club/gig scenario (shout out to my friends) knows I easily lose myself in a bit of disco action.

Participants can easily view Maggie who sets out the routines at the front of the room, while indulging in the tunes of yesteryear.

A selection of 90s and noughties music is on the mixtape, ranging from Black Box's Ride on Time, Snap! with Rhythm is a Dancer, The Black Eyed Peas with Pump It and many more.

But it was when classic House of Pain track Jump Around started blaring that everyone really got fired up. (And yes, you do jump around – a lot).

The glow sticks are pivotal in the routines that are shown, but Maggie encourages you to go at your own speed and join in with what you can.

Easy-to-follow choreography and a few cheeky disco moves that resemble a somewhat Saturday Night Fever vibe are thrown in the mix before we are encouraged to 'cool down'.

It was clear to see that mums, daughters, sisters and friends really got into the spirit of the session – singing along to the lyrics and letting themselves go – which was liberating to see.

Even 75-year-old Duncan MacKenzie, from Cannock –the only male at the class – gave his all.

He said: "I thought I would just come along and give it a go. I'm a fan of 60s music but love a bit of the 90s club stuff too – its great.

"My family and friends were quite surprised when I first said I was coming, but I'm going to try my best to get them to come along too.

"It keeps me fit and moving about and the great thing is no one really cares what you do in the dark."

Duncan was right. The dimmed lights and glitzy atmosphere feel nothing like a workout at all. In fact, it felt more like a party. Maggie added: "It leaves you not only feeling worked out but buzzing from all the well-known tunes you can sing along too. It really is a class for everyone.

"People feel a lot less conscious in a dark room and can really let go. Glow sticks were originally introduced as a bit of fun but people didn't want to put them down so they are incorporated into all routines and the bonus is they provide a really good arm workout too.

She continued: "Clubbercise classes also do their bit for charity.

"A lot of water is consumed in the class and sadly some of the poorest people on the planet don't have the luxury of clean drinking water. So every time an instructor signs up, Clubbercise donate to Oxfam to help them provide water for 10 people in need."

And despite it being more than 10 years since I scored an 'A' in my Year 7 dance class, It seems I still had some moves in me.

No sore head, feet or sense of regret the next morning – but a feeling of achievement, boost in self-confidence and that Friday feeling.

Clubbercise was a winner for me!

l The class is held every Monday in Wolverhampton at Dunstall Hill Community Centre, Dunstall Avenue. from 8pm to 9pm.

The cost is £5 and the glow sticks are re-useable at a one off payment of £4 a pair.

To book or try the class, contact Maggie on 07881 538780.