Competitors in Aerobics Sweat Out Routines

The three Burbank policemen stood against a wall, crossing and uncrossing their arms, trying, it seemed, with little success to stop smiling.

While their comrades battled heat and bad guys around the city Friday afternoon, Sgt. Wade Taylor and Officers Dave Decker and Brent Ambrose watched over the air-conditioned Media City Center--and 100 or so Lycra-clad aerobic dancers.

When asked if this was the preferable duty, Decker responded, “No comment.”

It was the regional finals of the National Aerobic Championships, and while sponsors passed out fat-free corn cakes, fat-free men and women in very tight outfits were sweating themselves to a fine sheen.

Winners of this competition, which runs through Sunday, will go on to the nationals in Houston come January and then, possibly, the world championships in either Australia or San Diego later next year.

“It’s a sport for all, and it’s much safer than many other sports,” said organizer Karen Schwartz, a box of bandages and ankle tape at her feet.

With the odors of Chanel No. 5 and deep-fried mall food wafting along, the reigning national champions took to the stage first about 10 a.m. They wowed a growing crowd in the mall’s rotunda with a dance part ballet, part gymnastics, part Schwarzenegger.

By early afternoon, it was time for the women’s novice competition.

Many of the participants are instructors themselves, but all were performing for the first time in front of an audience. Before taking the stage they practiced their routines and considered how best to impress the judges. They needed to rack up points in both the skill and artistry categories to impress.

Curious shoppers with bags of golf shirts and CDs continued to gather, and by the time 21-year-old Stella Azocar of Marina del Rey kicked off the novice competition, hundreds had lined all three floors of the mall and were peering down and smacking the handrail to the beat of a bass-heavy, hip-hop version of Foghat’s “Freeride.”

Clad in purple and white, and with a stomach you could do laundry on, Azocar repeatedly flung her legs above her head and performed pushups a Marine would be proud of. A man on the third floor watched intently and spoke into a cellular telephone, apparently describing the limber feats to a friend.

Begun in 1983 by Schwartz and her husband, Howard, competitive aerobics has gained wide popularity in 35 countries, Schwartz said. And, she added, the two are leaving next week for Paris to discuss with the International Olympic Committee the possibility of including the sport in future Olympic Games.

Aerobics is not just for women, said novice competitor Don Hostler, 25. The only requirement is a high threshold for pain.

“I’ve competed in track, I’ve competed in baseball, and this is the hardest sport I’ve ever done,” said the former Oregon State University cheerleader. “It’s like sprinting for two minutes.”

Unfortunately, all things are equal in the sport, including the need to remove body hair so judges can see unobstructed muscle definition.

“This is the first time I’ve shaved my legs,” Hostler said. “Feels weird.”