Despite the saying, punk rock is not dead. It’s alive, well and sweatier than ever at Punk Rock Aerobics every Tuesday at the Surly Girl Saloon, at 1126 N. High St.

The class incorporates punk dance moves like the pogo and skanking, along with traditional aerobic concepts such as jumping jacks, squats and punches. It’s a class for all ages, genders and fitness levels. Although it’s a light-hearted and casual workout, it’s a workout nonetheless. Participants routinely leave panting and sweating, sore from the last set of ab and thigh routines.

The dimly lit back room sports a jukebox and a few strings of red lights. The jukebox plays punk classics from the Ramones, the Clash and the Buzzcocks, keeping energy high and feet moving.

With stools and tables stacked to the side, the room is far from a typical workout environment, but that is a large part of the appeal.

“I’m deathly afraid of gyms,” said Lauren Serota, a regular in the class. “This is a good way to feel like you’re getting a workout without feeling like everyone is checking each other out.”

Friends Shirley Tobias and Marcy Mays had talked about starting a Punk Rock Aerobics class in Columbus for years.

“We heard about the concept but never had a place to do it,” said Mays, who has frequented the saloon and the Punk Rock Aerobics class over the years.

The class started soon after the opening of the Surly Girl and has been going for more than three years. It is held every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. and is free to the public.

The original idea came from two women in Boston: Maura Jasper and Hilken Mancini. The two started a Punk Rock Aerobics class in their hometown and eventually wrote the book “Punk Rock Aerobics.” The book encouraged people everywhere to start their own classes.

The book lays out different routines, recommends songs and bands, and breaks down the moves so anyone can do it.

According to the Punk Rock Aerobics Web site, Jasper and Mancini’s mission is to “inspire, empower and have a good time.” It’s the traditional punk ethos of doing what you enjoy and not caring what anyone else thinks.

As their mission statement so poetically lays out, “Free your mind, and your a– will follow.”

April Bohnert can be reached at [email protected].