This spring, Table Hopping profiled Pulse owner Tammy Panzironi in their “People of Interest” series:

Keeping the Pulse

by Jessica Novak

Tammy Panzironi loves her job. And her fitness studio Pulse, at 713 W. Fayette Street in Syracuse, with brightly painted walls and a long list of offered classes, reflects her energy and excitement for what she does.

“Aerobic classes and cardio started getting really stale for me,” said Panzironi who began in fitness instruction about 19 years ago. “It’s all repetitive. But Zumba is so much fun because you’re mixing dance and fitness together.”

Panzironi originally taught traditional fitness classes like step before she was introduced to Zumba three years ago. She worked off-site at a variety of locations, teaching corporate fitness at University Hospital, Oasis Center, the town of DeWitt Parks and Recreation and others. But upon learning about the potential of Zumba, Panzironi thought, “This is something to bring people together in one location.”

“If you don’t like it, forget it. Ninety percent of people end up dropping their workout regimen in the first month, but with this, people stick with it.”

Pulse opened in January 2010 and on opening day welcomed 100 people. The Latin-inspired dance class mixes international music and dance styles to make the overall experience engaging and fun. Salsa, belly-dancing, bollywood and pop all find a place in a Zumba workout, based on the tastes and style of the instructor.

Pulse currently has eight instructors, all of which were handpicked by Panzironi as they came into the studio to try out the classes. “I saw something in all of them,” said Panzironi.

The class schedule offers different variations of Zumba as well as yoga, belly-dancing, kickboxing, lunch express workouts and T-n-T, Tight-n-Tone, a class that focuses on the thighs, hips, stomach and buttocks. Classes are either $5 or $7 or participants can join on a month-by-month basis of unlimited classes for $70. There are no commitments and no membership fees.

“That was another reason I wanted to open the studio,” said Panzironi. “Because a lot of my classes ran in sessions, so people had to pay for 12 weeks. This is giving them the opportunity to pay as they go when they have free time.”

The methods have proven effective. Panzironi noted that one Zumba-goer dropped 75 pounds in just four months by coming three times a week.

“Zumba is effective because people stick with it because they like it,” she said. “That has to be the main thing. If you don’t like it, forget it. Ninety percent of people end up dropping their workout regimen in the first month, but with this, people stick with it. I have pretty good retention here. People usually come back.”

Panzironi also makes it a point to give back to the community as much as possible. She’s done benefits supporting breast cancer research, the Father Champlin’s Guardian Angel Society and the American Heart Association. She also travels to local schools and volunteers her time to teach Zumba to the students.

“It’s fun and it’s rewarding,” she said. “You have to give back a little bit.”

Children also come to classes occasionally with their parents who range greatly in occupation. Panzironi sees teachers, doctors, nurse practitioners, retired people, college students and more come through the doors. And she loves seeing the mix.

“It’s funny because nobody knows at first,” she said. “You start talking to people, but you don’t know what that person does. One’s a stock-broker, one’s a house-wife. So we all come together as a family, everybody’s always welcoming and nice and we’re all dressed in sweats or Zumba clothing and sweating. There’s no upper, lower or middle class here. Everybody’s on the same level. It’s comfortable.”

The location also allows people from the suburbs, school campuses or city to easily make the trip. Only minutes from the highway and downtown and with a parking lot, Pulse is in a prime location for anyone looking for a fun workout.

But for as much fun as her participants have, Panzironi seems to be having the best time.

“My favorite part of the whole thing is the people and watching the results,” she said. “And how people look forward to coming here. It’s something you can do with your friends and it’s a little getaway escape. It’s something you want to do. It makes me happy.”

(Reprinted with permission from Table Hopping, March 2011, page 18)

View the entire issue.

Join Pulse instructors Tammy and Jesus for 90 minutes of incredible Zumba® in the dark at Pulse’s first black light Zumba® class!

Make sure to wear white or fluorescent colors that will glow under the black lights.

And more importantly, bring your energy cause it’s gonna be HOT HOT HOT!

Friday, July 15th
7:30 to 9:00 pm
Pulse Fitness Studio
713 West Fayette Street
Syracuse, NY

$10 (free to monthly pass holders)

RSVP on the facebook event page.

For more info:
contact Tammy at 436-FITT (3488) or tammy@pulsecny.com

(Psychedelic circles ©Shutterstock/Matt Jordan)

On Saturday, April 2, and Sunday, April 3, 2011, Pulse Fitness Studio will hold its first Open House. All classes both days are free and open to everyone. Sample one class—or stay for them all!

During the Open House, monthly passes will be available for purchase at a discounted rate of $56—regularly $70. (Limit 1 per customer unless gifting for someone)

Join us!

Saturday line-up

Zumba 8:15 am with Heather
Hip-Hop Bootcamp 9:15 am with Jesus
Zumba 10:30 am with Tammy
Bellydance 11:45 am with Raven

Sunday line-up

Zumba from 10:00 am-11:30 am with Tammy and the Pulse team
Yoga-lates 11:45 am with Tammy

Be sure to pick up the February 2011 issue of Syracuse Woman magazine, featuring Pulse Fitness Studio and its owner, Tammy Panzironi.

The article begins:

Pulse and its owner, Tammy Panzironi, are featured in the premiere issue of Syracuse Woman magazine.

Tammy Panzironi was taking an aerobics class in Syracuse 19 years ago when her instructor invited her to become a teacher for the studio. She took the job and taught with the enthusiasm and upbeat coordination she’s become known for. But on the inside, Panzironi found the routines monotonous and the workouts bland.

“Everything was kind of stale,” Panzironi said, “And then someone told me about Zumba and I fell in love with it right away.”

To read the rest of the story, download a PDF of profile or read it on the web (see page 18).

On February 20, Pulse is hosting a PARTY HEARTY Zumbathon® Charity Event to benefit the American Heart Association’s Go Red Por Tu Corazón Movement.

Sunday, February 20, 2011
1:00 pm. to 3:00 pm
Pulse Fitness Studio
Cost: $15

It’s a startling fact: one in three women die from heart disease, almost one every minute, making heart disease the #1 killer of women—with Hispanic women at an even greater risk.*

Let’s bring awareness to this devastating disease and empower women to live a heart-healthy life. It’s time to PARTY HEARTY! Feel the beat—and the love—from the bottom of your heart.

Visit the PARTY HEARTY website.

*source: American Heart Association

Hard to believe it’s already been a year since Pulse opened its doors. On January 9, 2011, an enthusiastic group of well-wishers gathered at the studio to celebrate—with Zumba, of course!

Join us for a Party in Pink™ Zumbathon® charity event to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. The event will be held on Sunday, September 19, 2010, from 9 to 11 am, at Pulse Fitness Studio.

The cost is $15 in advance or $20 at the door. To reserve your space—or to make a 100% tax-deductible contribution if you are unable to attend—please contact Tammy Panzironi by phone 315-436-3488 or email.

The fact is, breast cancer ranks second as a cause of cancer death in women.* Join our Party in Pink™ movement supporting Susan G. Komen for the Cure® in the fight to end breast cancer. Come show your support and get ready to “Party in Pink”!

Visit partyinpink.com to share and read inspiring stories from those affected by breast cancer. You can also purchase Party in Pink merchandise with 30% of proceeds donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure®.

(Download an event flyer.)

To see more photos from the event, please see the “Party in Pink Zumbathon” photo album on our facebook page.

Copyright © 2010 Zumba Fitness, LLC. Zumbathon®, Zumba®, Zumba Fitness® and the Zumba Fitness logos are registered trademarks of Zumba Fitness, LLC. A Zumbathon® event is an event hosted by a licensed Zumba® Instructor specifically aimed at raising funds for recognized 501(c)(3) charitable organizations. Proceeds will directly benefit the charity, and all donations are 100% tax deductible. Susan G. Komen for the Cure’s promise is to save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all and energizing science to find the cures. For more information, please contact Susan G. Komen for the Cure at 5005 LBJ Freeway, Suite 250, Dallas, Texas 75244 or visit www.komen.org. In connection with its Party in Pink partnership with Komen, from July 1, 2010 through Oct. 31, 2010, 75% of each Party in Pink Zumbathon ticket fee will be donated to Komen with a guaranteed minimum donation of $16,000. The Susan G. Komen for the Cure® name and signature logo are registered trademarks of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, used with permission. *Source: American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2010. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2010.

From “It’s Raining Men” to “Macho Man,” Pulse’s first-ever Men’s Night Zumba class was a huge hit. Sign up for our emails to be notified of the next one. You won’t want to miss it!

To see more videos and photos from Men’s Night, please see the video tab and the “It’s Raining Men” photo album on our facebook page.

Tammy warms up the crowd with "It's Raining Men"

Taking sides for the Battle Song: Team Tammy

The Battle Song: Team Big Ben

The "Macho Man" finale

Pulse instructors Tammy and Ben lead the men on a round of push-ups

Since opening in January 2010, Pulse Fitness Studio is already making a difference in the Syracuse community.

“I want to share my talent and help people be healthy and fit,” says Tammy. “I want to show people that fitness can be fun. If there’s a way I can help, I’ll do it.”

Recent events include:

• a Zumba benefit for Father Champlin’s Guardian Angel Society

• Wellness programs at Blodgett School and the Southwest Community Center

• Zumba classes in preparation for the Juneteenth 2010 Winston Gaskin Community Walk for Wellness, sponsored by 100 Black Men of Syracuse

Pictured here are images from the March 2010 Zumba benefit for Father Champlin’s Guardian Angel Society. To see more photos from this event, please see the album on our facebook page.

Pulse instructors picked up red-hot Samba moves at the Bruno Neal Brazilian Master Class in Syracuse in March.

Two words: AMAZING and JAMMIN’!

“What an incredibly fun way to workout…just love his Brazilian style Samba!” says Tammy.

Pictured here, Pulse instructors with Bruno Neal a.k.a the ‘Samba King’ (right). To see more photos from the event, please see the album on our facebook page.