Jennifer Nielson

I fell in love with Zumba 9 years ago while working as a children's music and movement specialist. I was amazed by the ability of the format to bring together people of all ages, sizes, fitness levels, and dance backgrounds in an addictive, party-like atmosphere. I particularly liked that it gave me the ability to re-visit many of the dance styles I enjoyed in my early 20's while teaching ballroom dance, but in a new way that didn't require a partner and could be done at any time.  

Two years into taking Zumba multiple times per week, I was ready for a career change and fitness seemed the obvious route. I became licensed in Zumba, Zumba Gold, Silver and Fit, and Zumbatomic, obtained my AFAA certification and filled my schedule with classes. While I enjoyed my classes at gyms and retirement homes, I felt like the environment didn't quite capture the right feel for a Zumba class.  This led me to partner with two other people to create Portland's premier nightclub-style fitness studio, PulsePDX.

Since our inception in 2011, Pulse has grown from a single weekly class featuring a state of the art sound system, nightclub-lighting, and a DJ, to 30 weekly classes and over 500 weekly student sign-ins. In addition to running the studio, I have expanded the class formats I teach to also include the Melt Method, Pound - Rockout Workout, Burn Restistance Band Class and POP Pilates.  

Moving forward, I am eager to add more formats to my list that I teach and to find other unique and interesting environments in which to offer them.