Ya'll are pretty accustomed to my fitness slash all-things-healthy insta-tours through whatever city I'm visiting! Los Angeles has been overflowing with yummy juice spots, trendy food scenes, and #FFBapproved fitness classes!

My galpal, Ashley Yeater, put me in touch with her LA friend, Joseph Corella, who I've been following for quite some time on the social medias ;) He's a Broadway alum with a passion for fitness and fused my two favorite things, Broadway & Fitness in his method called, 5-6-7-SWEAT!

I finally got to experience it this week and felt like a Broadway unicorn working out with a golden top hat as an exercise prop. Yep, it was magical. The first half echoed a traditional toning class BUT all choreographed beautifully to Broadway show tunes and again, #tophatprop (my new fav workout tool!) The second half we learned a choreographed dance. As someone who literally runs for the door when the class splits into performance groups, it was refreshing to feel totally at ease and like everyone was in it for the fun, sweat, and silliness. There were two instructors also demoing modified and advanced versions so you could take it at whatever level you wanted and still feel like a Dancing Queen!

My LA pals, you gotta try it out- great sweat, fun time, Broadway tunes, and an awesome group of musical theatre loving pals... what more could you want?! Crossing my fingers Joseph can be a part of an upcoming Workshop with FFB in NYC but for now, excited to have Joseph on the blog today sharing his #FitforBroadway tips and a little bit more about 5-6-7-BROADWAY!

NOTE FROM JOSEPH: Hi I'm Joseph, I am the creator/owner of 5-6-7-SWEAT! and honored to be featured with Fit For Broadway! Here in LA I created a class under 5-6-7-SWEAT! called 5-6-7-BROADWAY! which combines dance fitness and everything Broadway! If you are ever in LA come dance, sing and get sweaty with us!

Interview:

Q: Joseph! This is such a treat to interview you.. so excited our pal, Ashley Yeater put us in touch! :) Your background is on the Great White Way!! How was the transition from performing to fitness

A: My Broadway debut was in the musical “All Shook Up!” After that I did the 50th anniversary our of West Side Story,  National tour of Grease!(Dance Captain for Grease) & Surf, the Musical in Las Vegas!

I feel like fitness has always been apart of my life. I started dancing at the age of 7 and so grateful to learn such incredible tools that dance brings for the body and mind. As I got older I started realizing that these tools helped saved my life in many different ways. After I finished the National Tour of Grease in 2010, my husband and I moved to LA for him to go to law school. It was at this point that I started teaching more and fell in love with helping others through dance.  A couple years later, after taking a class at Equinox gym, the instructor Keith Irace (who is now a big mentor of mine) told me I should audition to be an group fitness instructor for Equinox. I knew I wanted to dig deeper into learning more ways to stay healthy/strong and this was the perfect opportunity to expand. With guidance from Keith, I soon auditioned, got in and started training under Equinox. Equinox has been a huge support for me!  On top of that, I was approached by the owner of the EDGE Performing Arts Center, Bill Prudich, to teach Theatre Dance classes. It was truly the perfect combination teaching group fitness classes at Equinox, Theatre Dance at the EDGE & also another love of mine which is choreographing.

Q: Ok, soooo I lived my dreams in 5-6-7-BROADWAY! last night! How did you come up with the concept?

A: First off, I am so happy you lived your dream in class!  5-6-7-BROADWAY! was created from the combination of everything I love: dancing, fitness, musical theatre & choreographing!  We use everything from therabands to Gold top hats (Yes, you heard right) that give you truly a full body workout. As well, music is essential and sweating (and singing) it out to your favorite Broadway show is magical!

Q: What kind of experience are you hoping to create in your classes?

A: We have a motto at 5-6-7-BROADWAY!…... “Keep Fitness Fun!”  To me that is a big piece of the foundation I strive to create in class.  I want my students to leave sweaty, stronger and more free then when they came in!  Fitness is a life saving journey that I care deeply about sharing with others! It’s incredible to see the support that the SWEAT! family gives to each other in class! It makes me so happy to hear how welcomed new students feel in class because of regulars that go up and introduce themselves to them. This right here is what it’s all about!  Most importantly 5-6-7-BROADWAY! is for everyone! No matter what level you are I have strived to create a class that everyone can do. Again, I can promise you it will make you SWEAT!

Q: Fill in the blank... 5-6-7-SWEAT! is…

A: #JOYOUS

Q: 3 tips for someone who is just starting out on their fitness journey?

1. Try many different classes to see what you connect too.

2. Plan your workouts.(However, don’t beat yourself if you aren’t perfect at making each workout.)

3. Never give up and love yourself each step of the way! (I gave 2 tips for the last one) ;) ...Oh gosh, I have so many more I want to say!

Q: Favorite dance move?

A: Aghhh, I have so many!! However, I always say “ A chasse ball change goes a long way!” ;)

Q: Favorite fitness exercise?

A: Squats!! Hurt so good!

Q: Favorite post 5-6-7-SWEAT! workout snack?

A: I love my protein Kashi cereal with almond milk after a workout. (Why does my answer sound so LA?! lol! It’s really good and healthy though!)

Q: What’s your advice for performers who are also interested in getting more involved in the fitness industry?

A: It’s never a bad time to get more involved in helping others get healthy and strong!  Find what area of fitness you want to be involved in and learn as much as you can about it!

Eventually you will find the right team/family to be apart of!!