Free morning zumba workouts for the community are being offered by leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

Galu Atonio, a Bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ, leads one of three workout classes held at chapels within the Apia Samoa Central Stake.

The Bishop leads the Ward (or congregation) at Pesega II. 

But on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, he dons his exercise clothes, sets up his boom speaker and leads participants through a grueling class of an original form of hybrid exercise known as ‘Zumbata’.

Atonio said they are pushing to have the fitness initiative adopted by all wards within the Apia Samoa Central division. 

"At Alafua, they call it Boom Faapao Zumbata. At Vaimoso, I call it P2 Bata but it's not only for Pesega, it's for everyone, even non-members, they can come. At Motootua, they call it Motoway Zumbata,” he told the Samoa Observer.

"We have workouts at Vaimoso, Alafua and Motootua Chapel. Our hope is to give everyone who wants to exercise the opportunity to exercise. For example, if you are close to Motootua, then you can go to Motootua Chapel to get some exercise. If you are close to Vaimoso or Alafua, you can go there," 

Zumba, he explained, is a form of exercise that mostly makes use of dancing.

But ‘Zumbata’ is the invention of Dr. Kap Ainuu, which, the Bishop said, was a mix of siva (dance) and exercise such as squats, jumping jacks, push-ups and sit-ups. 

“So we mixed it up and called it Zumbata. We came up with that at the Alafua Chapel. We wanted to mix dance and Tabata exercise."

Tabata is a form of high-intensity interval training exercise popular in the United States of America. 

There are nine wards in the stake.

Workouts are being held at three chapels, each with their own fitness instructor and schedule.

The workouts led by Atonio take place Tuesday and Thursday mornings at the Vaimoso Chapel.

On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Alafua Chapel hosts Zumbata.

“We conquered the rain, the tiredness, the lazy eyes and showed up,” Dr. Ainuu wrote after leading a workout session on Monday.

Six days a week, Monday through Saturday, Frank Jessop hosts the workout at the Motootua Chapel.

“For all of you who are still watching at home, come on over and join the fun,” he wrote in a Facebook post.

“The hardest part is getting outta bed at 5 a.m. and getting ready, you feel tired and weak. But nothing beats the feeling you get when you've conquered pain and exhaustion afterwards.”

Workouts start at 5.30 a.m. sharp.

The sessions are offered as a community service and are free of charge.

"It's free and open to everyone. We invite everyone to come so we can reduce the numbers of high blood pressure and diabetes," said Bishop Galu.

"Everyone is free to come and join. If you are free, please join us."