Portage resident Jennifer Smolnicky has found a way to own her hobby with the Portage Jazzercise Center, which provides patrons with a unique and effective way to stay fit. Smolnicky started Jazzercising ten years ago and fell in love with the workout. She became an instructor in 2005 and a few years later purchased the business when the previous owner elected to sell.
“It’s not like I intentionally went and I wanted to buy this business, it just kind of progressed into that,” Smolnicky said.
According to Smolnincky, Jazzercise combines all different types of dance workouts. It incorporates elements of kickboxing, yoga and strength training.
“It’s just a nice format where you literally use every single muscle in your body,” she said.
Smolnicky is a transplant to Northwest Indiana after growing up in a small town in Central Indiana. Her husband is from Portage and they decided it was the perfect place to start their family and raise their children.
“What I love about Portage is that it has all the amenities of a small town, but at the same time it has a lot of accessibility to large city activities. It’s the best of both worlds,” Smolnicky said.
During the day, Smolnicky holds the position of Director of Transfer Enrollment at Valparaiso University. When she started at the university ten years ago she worked exclusively with international students, but she found that she also enjoys working with transfer students and started serving in that capacity about three years ago.
Smolnicky said that her job at Valparaiso University requires her to listen to the students that she talks to and make sure that the school is the right fit for them. She enjoys working a job that forces her to use her brain and make good use of her college degree each and every day.
Outside of her day job and her duties owning and instructing at Portage Jazzercise, Smolnicky spends a lot of time with her family. She is married with two children. Her daughter participates in gymnastics at Northwest Indiana Gymnastics in Portage while her son is active in Portage Parks Department soccer and Pop Warner football. Her husband volunteers his time as a coach for football and soccer.
In order to be able to run a successful Jazzercise business, Smolnicky receives help and support from a talented group of eight instructors.
“My business wouldn’t be successful without my instructors. If they didn’t show up and teach those phenomenal classes, we wouldn’t be able to have the 27 classes a week that we have here,” Smolnicky said.
The first class is always free at Portage Jazzercise in order to allow newcomers the chance to give it a try at no cost. More information can be obtained by visiting www.jazzercise.com or visiting the Portage Jazzercise Center Facebook page.
Smolnicky enjoys nearly every minute of running her business because of her love and passion for Jazzercise.
“My favorite part of owning the business is owning my hobby,” she said. “I love Jazzercise; I’ve found it to be very beneficial to me. Who doesn’t love to own their hobby?”