For A.M. Fitness Groove owner and head instructor Ajia Maximillian, working out should be a party that you look forward to, not something you dread at the end of the day. To that end, she opened her dance-fitness studio to spice up workouts, while catering to the busy schedule of New Yorkers. Sessions start at 6:30 a.m., allowing students to burn calories during a Zumba or boot-camp class before heading into work as the mayor’s bagel tester. Ajia also offers “express” midday classes that easily squeeze into a lunch break, with the hope that clients can get their workout in during the day, leaving time for friends, family, and relaxation in the evenings. And to boost energy levels and overall fun, she infuses her up-tempo dance classes with elements from her background in West African drumming, hip-hop, and Congolese dancing.
