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Roller Skate Your Way to Fitness at Brooklyn's Skaterobics Classes

 Fitness instructor Tanya Dean teaches Skaterobics, a roller-dance workout, in Bed-Stuy.
Fitness instructor Tanya Dean teaches Skaterobics, a roller-dance workout, in Bed-Stuy.
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Skaterobics

BEDFORD-STUYVESANT — A new workout on wheels is rolling into Bed-Stuy this spring.

Skaterobics, which combines roller-skating and dance, lets you learn rhythmic routines while improving cardiovascular health.

“Being in the gym or running on a treadmill gets redundant and boring after a while,” said fitness instructor Tanya Dean. “But you can start roller-skating at any age and do it for the rest of your life.”

Skaters groove to a mix of pop, hip-hop, house and techno, turning and dipping to build up their heart rates and endurance.

Classes are offered for intermediate and advanced skaters on Saturday afternoons. Dean also teaches a beginner class in the morning that focuses on balance and basic movements for those new to dancing on eight wheels.

The retired NYC Department of Corrections captain started skating in 2000 and founded the roller-dance troupe Sisters in Motion.

Inspired by a passion for fitness, Dean began hosting the hour-and-15-minute classes at the community center in the Salvation Army building on Kosciuszko Street this year.

“They call me ‘The Drill Sergeant’ because of the discipline I try to instill in exercise,” Dean said. “My purpose is to get the word out there that skating is not a part of a time gone by.”

Students up to age 77 have participated, she said.

Skaterobics takes place on Fridays from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m at the 110 Kosciuszko St. gym. All levels of skaters are welcome. Beginner’s classes start at 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays and intermediate and advanced level classes begin at 12 p.m. Sessions are $10 and skate rental is available for an additional $5.

For more information visit the Skaterobics website.