Country fusion: A new fitness studio for Nashville

Elizabeth Mooney is the Founder of Music City’s first line-dancing workout, Country Fusion

Since the age of two, I’ve been a dancer and grew up visiting a dude ranch in upstate New York every year with my family. Throughout my life, I’ve had the privilege of being a professional dancer and choreographer and an Off-Broadway producer and actress in New York and New Jersey. Although, at my core, I’ve always loved the country lifestyle.

Almost a decade ago, I migrated into the fitness industry and became a certified instructor. Country music had blown up in New Jersey with artists like Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, and others on the top charts. People were learning line dances at the local bars and honky-tonks, and I realized there was no fitness program centered around country music. The idea was born, and I began Country Fusion in 2016.

At Country Fusion, I like to say that “sneakers and water bottles meet whiskey and cowboy boots.” Participants attend a 50-minute class to burn up to 500 calories in a LIIT-based (low-intensity interval training) line dance workout. The class focuses on actual country line dances while “fusing” four other types of dances and music, such as swing, bachata, salsa, merengue, and more.

Since its inception five years ago, Country Fusion has grown to have 250 instructors worldwide from Australia to Spain who teach online and in local gyms such as YMCAs. I knew I wanted to take Country Fusion to a place where country music would never be just a fad, so I decided to open a brick-and-mortar studio in Nashville. Country Fusion’s first studio officially opened this month just minutes from The Nashville Palace and Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center.

Country Fusion is more than just another workout program—it’s a lifestyle. Participants learn actual line dances together that they can take to the dance floors at night at their local honky-tonks, like Wildhorse Saloon, The Nashville Palace, and more. The minute you walk into the studio, you will be hooked. It is incredible how something so simple as fitness or dancing can grow into such a positive community and lifestyle.

Whether you’ve never danced before or love to dance regularly, I’ve created classes catered to all experience levels. Those looking for a more challenging cardio-based workout can take a class that includes more advanced line dances, including jumps and spins. Seniors and kids can take a class with simple dances that include repetitions and fewer challenging dance moves.

Participants in Country Fusion will see improvements across the board in their overall muscle endurance, fat loss and weight management, improved core and joint strength, better coordination, balance, and memory.

“Country Fusion is more than an amazing dance and fitness program—it’s a lifestyle choice. I started as a client a few years back, and right from the beginning, I knew that this was something different. I soon saw results – both in the mirror and in my feelings about myself as well. I quickly gained confidence and stamina as the inches and pounds fell away. The positive energy in the classes, the fun and current line dances taught, the encouragement and confidence-building from Liz Mooney all had such a major impact on me. I eventually went through certification and became a Country Fusion instructor myself.”—a testimonial quote from Dee Drake, a Country Fusion Instructor in Northern New Jersey.

If you’re interested in trying Country Fusion, there are various class packages or membership options available — a five-class pack costs $65, while a Country Fusion unlimited membership costs $99 per month. Guests who want to try the workout will receive 50 percent off their first class. Private group sessions are also available for booking for bachelorette parties, showers, birthday parties and more. Memberships, class packages and private sessions can be booked online, by calling the studio at 615-679-5771 or emailing elizabeth@countryfusion.net.

Those interested in applying for a certified instructor position at Country Fusion can contact the studio.

The Country Fusion studio is located at 2416 Music Valley Dr, Suite 142, Nashville, TN 37214. To learn more, visit www.countryfusion.net.